Hello All! I’m back safely in the internet world, for the moment, and I have included so much that if you get tired of reading I’m doing a bullet point summary at the end. So scroll down.
Zion 8/2-8/4
Zion was absolutely amazing. Words can’t even describe how beautiful it was, and pictures would not do it justice. Due to my car troubles, I left Vegas a little later than I had planned, but I made it to Zion’s Watchman campgrounds just after sunset on Tuesday (which made pitching my tent so fun). Not to mention it was about 100° plus humidity outside at 9 o’clock. After getting all my things sorted out I relaxed and read for the evening, before trying to sleep without sweating. I was not successful in the latter.
Wednesday had a lot of activities it felt like. I started my morning with a 2.5 mile hike on the Watchman trail. It was really close to the campsite (hence the trail name) but it offered spectacular views of the lower canyon and of the drive in. Because it wasn’t later in the afternoon, the shade from the mountains surrounding the trail cast some really beautiful shadows all over the canyon. Perfect first hike. As I was getting back from my perfect hike, all smiling and happy thinking about the beer I’m going to open, I see a whole in the bottom of my tent. ANIMAL ENCOUNTER #1: SQUIRRELS had chewed a hole into my tent and were proceeding to eat the food that was in my tent. I yelled and they all scampered away. The camp host helped me patch it with duct tape, and that’s when he informed me that Zion has VERY AGGRESSIVE squirrels. I’ve never wished more for a BB gun in my life. After the squirrel fiasco, I had some lunch and napped. Then I tried my luck with fishing down at the small river that runs through the site, but was unsuccessful. The current was “too prone to flash flooding for fish to live there,” or that’s what the rangers said.
Since you only live once, and I might not ever stop back in Zion, I decided to go on a 5.4 mile “medium difficulty” trail, Angels Landing. “You should not hike this trail if you are afraid of heights. Steep drop offs. Narrow trails. Slippery and treacherous when wet, windy, or when snow is present. 6 hikers have died hiking the trail.” Super appealing! No, but seriously the ranger recommended it. So I did it. 1,500 feet and 1.25 hours later, I was standing at the top. Photos will show you how gnarly (yup I said it, Jo) the trail was. I almost peed on the last section.
After reaching the top and having a Rocky Balboa staircase victory moment; the view was totally worth it. It was an on top of the world feelings. I was at the highest point on this enormous rock, looking down into a valley and it was just incredible. Then I saw lightning flash in the distance and it was time to go. The coolest part about the hike down, was hearing the thunder. It wasn’t very loud, but it was so cool because you could hear it boom in one spot and then you would get to hear it rumble against every mountain in the canyon. It just lasted forever!
I was exhausted from all the hiking, so I was in tent early. ANIMAL ENCOUNTER #2: mouse enters tent while I’m reading! I saw the little bastard (excuse me) walk in through the tiny opening in the zipper and I jumped up. I tried to shoo him back out of the open tent, but he could not figure it out. I tried to force him into a cup, and got close but no cigar. I did manage to “fling” him out though with a swift smack of the flat edge of my “bear knife.” By fling I meant I smacked him and killed him. No cutting or slicing. Just BFT. Blunt force trauma.The thunder and lightning continued through majority of the nights. The lighting was cool because you could see it flash from inside the tent. The rain finally helped put me to sleep.
Today has been so long! I started by packing up all my things after a yummy eggs with chili and cheese breakfast (Don’t judge me; I burned a lot of calories yesterday). Then I went for my last hike in Zion: The Emerald Pools. It was short but gorgeous again. The trail led you to a series of pools underneath a waterfall or two. They’re named for the green algae that grows in them. I got through with the hike, refilled on some water and then left to Fishlake National Forest’s Single Tree campgrounds.
Single Tree 8/4
The drive to Fishlake was even better than the one to Zion. The array of scenery was simply amazing. From meadows and creeks, to mountainous red rocks, to canyons for miles it was all pretty eye widening. Fish Lake is also gorgeous. I’m liking it better than Zion mostly because it’s not a desert. It’s so quiet and peaceful and exactly what I needed. My campsite it right next to a little meadow. Patsy and Richard, the camp hosts are hilarious. They’re so old and just loving living out of a RV. I must have some rain juju , because this afternoon was on and off thunderstorms. We even got 30 seconds of hail! I’ve spent the afternoon reading and relaxing :)
Tomorrow I’ll be fishing all day. Patsy told me the secret spot and said they come up with2-3lb trout! *fingers crossed* Patsy also told me that bears have been spotted up the road lately. Stay tuned for possible ANIMNAL ENCOUNTER #3.
~Kaleena
SUMMARY
· Zion was really pretty.
· Hiked 3 different trails, almost died on the second one.
· Had 2 ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
· Thunder and lightning
· Drove to Fishlake. Also really pretty.
· Not a desert, actually a forest
· More thunder and lightning
· Fishing and hiking tomorrow
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