Historical Zion Hiking Info

[Iceaxe]

This is something all Zion hikers will enjoy. It's an old hiking pamphlet published by the Zion Natural History society some time before 1970. The pamphlet is mainly of historical interest; some of the trails have had their names or routes changed, and at least two of the routes have been closed (Lady Mountain and the orginal Watchman). Roads have also been constructed or closed since this pamphlet was printed.

Guide to Zion NP (http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~leif/camping/AGuideToTheTrailsOfZion.html)

http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~leif/camping/FrontCover.jpg

[Scott P]

Where can I get one of those fire permits they talk about? :naughty:

There seem to be only a realitive few National Parks and Monuments that allow backcountry campfires now days in the lower 48. Good thing though.

[Iceaxe]

I also found out this shuttle bus deal is not really new to Zion. They had tour buses in 1929.

[Iceaxe]

Orginal Watchman Info:
Watchman Trail is 1.2 miles long, and the average round-trip time is about 2 hours. The start of the trail is not easy to find as you must drive toward the back of the Visiter center, cross under the highway, and follow the road across the Virgin River to the Park Service residential area. Drive very carefully as children sometimes play in the roadway. The Watchman Trail starts at the southwest corner of the residential loop and climbs up the canyon to an excellent lookout directly across from the South Campground and entrance station. An additional loop trail extends off the main trail and is about a mile in length.

The town of Springdale lies down canyon a short distance. Settled by the Mormons in 1862, the principal occupation was farming; today, the thousands of visitors to Zion National Park are its main concern. To the right is the Visitor Center and Oak Creek Canyon which lies below the West Temple and Towers of the Virgin.

Mid-morning is best for photographs but sunsets are sometimes quite beautiful from the lookout area on the trail. Although the first half of the trail is fairly steep, the second half is a gradual climb through the pinyon pine forest. Here is one of the best areas in Zion Park to see the many birds that nest among the Pinyon-juniper woodlands during the spring and summer. A few of the birds you may see include the mourning dove, black-chinned hummingbird, ash-throated flycatcher, plain titmouse, common bushtit, Bewick's and ca