So we took a little family holiday down to Utah this year. Planning for this trip started when my LDS mission announced there was going to be a mission reunion. We also noted that my youngest child would be 8 years old and then we would be able to have us all attend General Conference. Then we had a passing of our prophet Thomas S. Monson and the calling of a new prophet Russell M. Nelson and so we figured attending conference would be another reason to go down. Then we realized the kids had their spring break after conference weekend so we figured we'd go down to southern Utah and visit Zion National Park. It was a spectacular few days and we were able to do a few small family hikes and see some amazing stuff in southern Utah.
Ensign Peak:
This hike I've done a few times before. The view from here is awesome and here is a little history of this peak, on the top there is a plaque that reads: "ENSIGN PEAK July 26, 1847, two days after the Mormon Pioneers entered this valley Brigham Young and party climbed to this point and with the air of field glasses made a careful survey of the mountains, canyons and streams. In the group were Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Ezra T. Benson, Willard Richards, Albert Carrington and William Clayton. Wilford Woodruff, first to ascent the Peak, suggested it as a fitting place to "set up an ensign" (Isaiah 11:12). It was then named Ensign Peak, subsequently the stars and stripes were raised here."
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| Family Shot looking South |
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| Sunset Family Picture |
Bryce Canyon (Queens Garden Trail from Sunrise Point):
I was shocked at the elevation of Bryce Canyon, there was still snow in some of the South Hoodoos that were in the shade. I think the elevation at Sunrise Point is around 8000 feet. Most mountains in Waterton aren't even that high. This is a park I'd like to explore more next time.
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| From Sunrise Point |
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| Going down the Queen's Garden Trail |
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| Amazing view of the canyon |
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| Looking down the pinnacles/spires/hoodoos |
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| Amazing views in Bryce, wish we could have stayed longer |
Angel's Landing (Zion):
This was probably the busiest hike I've ever done. We got the first shuttle at 7am and missed the lines. We were able to summit in good time and as we started coming down the business began. We figured we'd take the bus back to our vehicle and eat lunch then come back. Well that didn't happen as the line to get back on the bus at stop number 1 was over 3 hours long. So we decided to go back to St. George and try our luck earlier in the morning again, and it worked out much better that way.
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| Beginning of our hike |
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| Just before the "sketchy" part |
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| Well worn steps in the sandstone |
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| Not a cliff you want to fall down |
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| Family heading up the spine of Angel's Landing |
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| Near the top looking back |
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| On top looking towards the Narrows |
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| Another shot of the spine and cliffs |
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| Family shot on way down |
Hidden Canyon (Zion):
Well it is amazing what 45 minutes can make. The day before we got to the bus stop by 7am and we were on the first bus. Today we got there by 7:45 am and we had to wait almost 30 minutes. We wish we had more time and less crowds at Zion but oh well we had a few couple of great beautiful days and saw some amazing things. I'd love to go back and hike up the Narrows next time.
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| Beginning of trail looking towards Angel's Landing |
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| Looking towards Observation Point |
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| Just about to the Hidden Canyon |
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| Heading back with another view of Observation Point in the distance |
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| Another shot of Angel's Landing on the way down |
Riverside Walk (Zion):
Easy little hike to the start of the Narrows. Paved most of the way.
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| As far as we would go without the dry suites |
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| Beautiful Canyon and steep cliff walls all around |
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| Another shot of the canyon |
Big Bend Bus Stop (Zion):
I wanted to get a view looking up at Angel's Landing so I stopped at this bus stop just for a few minutes and took a few pictures.
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| Looking towards the Narrows |
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| Looking up at Angel's Landing |
Photo of snow on drive home:
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| Started the day in 29 degree weather ended it in snow and -10 degrees |
One our trip we decided we would stop at as many LDS temples as we could and get "Family Selfies" in front of these temples. So these are the first pictures and then the rest are the hikes we went on.
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| Idaho Falls |
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| Brigham City |
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| Jordan River |
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| Salt Lake City |
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| Draper |
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| St. George |
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| Cedar City |
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| Manti |
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| Payson |
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| Provo City Center |
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