After the long drive the day before we decided to take a zero mile day in the park. We had a campsite at the Watchman Campground that we liked (right next to the Virgin River) and wanted to do a family hike.
We fueled up with breakfast, finished school lessons, and renewed our site reservation for another day ($20). Then headed to Zion Lodge which is really nice and Amelia decided she’d like to stay there sometime 🙂
The trailhead for the Emerald Pools hikes is just across the street from the lodge, so we put on our packs, gloves, and hats, grabbed a quick family photo at the trailhead sign, and took off across the icy bridge that spans the Virgin River.
That bridge was a clue to the status of the trail ahead, the first section was in the rising sunlight and slushy in spots, but very manageable. As we made the turn into the canyon and left the suns rays behind, the trail really iced up and things got more interesting.
We carefully (most the time) made our way to the lower pool which was frozen over but still had water crashing down from the waterfall above. At this point the path goes under the falls and takes you up the other side of the ravine which is in daylight, but getting to the other side wasn’t going to be easy or safe, so we watched the falls, took some photos and reversed direction, heading back to the lodge.
We got to see a pair of mule deer right off the path which never fails to raise my heart rate. When we made it back to a high spot overlooking the river, we took the opportunity to break out some snacks and have a drink of water.
It was all downhill from there (literally), we got back to the van and drove back to our campsite.
From the previous month, I had recognized my own need for more physical activity, so during our pit stop in Phoenix, I had grabbed my running shoes and it was the perfect day to make sure they still fit. My original plan was to do the Pa’ru trail, but as I ran past the visitor center I saw a sign for the Watchman Trail first, so I took it. I was feeling the elevation and the span of time since I’ve last asked my body to do such a task, so I didn’t make it to the end of the trail before I needed a break to catch my breath and drink some water. As I sat on a rock beside the trail, I heard some noises above me and was surprised to see a trio of big horn sheep feeding across the hillside in front of me. I watched them for awhile and then stretched my cramping muscles and descended back towards camp draining the last of the water in my bottle as I ran. The sun and activity warmed me up so I decided to jump into the river, brrrrr it was chilly, but also very refreshing.
Jen had started dinner in the Instant-pot so while our french dip meat cooked, the kids garnered their Jr. Ranger vests and we walked to the Visitor Center to finish what was required of them to receive their badges.
Along the way we passed by Loop A which is under reconstruction and a team of work trucks were busy moving dirt right in front of us. Watching the trucks work was a highlight for Henry and we practically had to drag him away as it was still chilly and we didn’t want the visitor center to close before we got there.
We watched a video presentation about the park and then the kids’ workbooks were complete. They were sworn in, cracked some jokes with the rangers and then received their fifth badges.
We walked back past the trucks getting put away for the evening, the kids grabbed some things out of the van and headed down to the riverbank. Amelia grabbed art supplies and sat on a bent tree she had found the day before.
Henry grabbed gloves so he could dig, shape and throw sand.
It was great watching them be them and as the sun set in front of us, a few deer came down on the opposite bank to have a drink, or maybe they were curious about Henry 😉
Dinner was beyond delicious and after the evening tasks were completed and we laid in bed, Jen and I chuckled about our current life, how crazy and challenging it is, but without a doubt, a blessing of rewards.
