Sandstone Addiction
08-20-2012, 08:20 PM
That 6am wake up call came way too early, but we knew we had a day full of fun and adventure ahead of us. We packed our (still damp) stuff, had some continental breakfast, and back to Zion we went. Short line at the gate, plenty of parking spots at the visitor center--we learned our lesson from the day before by getting there early. It was funny to see how excited the boys were for to the shuttle bus ride--:haha:, they are so deprived. So after dragging them off the shuttle bus at the Weeping Rock TH, we put our packs on and away we went.
After a long series of switchbacks, the trail became less steep as it followed Lower Echo for a ways.
57957
I would like to know how they got all the concrete up there to pave the trail? Must have been a lot of work.
57965
Beautiful hike in the morning sun.
57966
It was about this point that I realized that I'd remembered everything except the beta :facepalm1:. Not a good thing for most canyons, but I had studied it a lot and had a good idea of the layout of the canyon from the Bing image.
After a while of looking for the midpoint entry, we finally found it and made it to the bottom of the canyon to relax for a moment in the cool shade. Time to suit up and get ready for the first rappel.
57967
One thing I noticed about Echo, most raps seem to have awkward starts. This first one I tandem rapped with Trevor and it was not a pretty sight. We reevaluated and I successfully lowered him on all the rest. Worked much better.
57968
Lots of downed timber scattered throughout the canyon.
57969
We hardly took any pictures of the good stuff:facepalm1:, the first reason being that we kept hearing what sounded like thunder, and we were a little spooked (ended up being jets flying overhead?? I think), and the second was that we really need a waterproof camera. Pulling it out of the dry bag every time got old fast.
This photo was taken after the last rap into the echo chamber. Everyone was having a great time, although Brandon (9) on the left, was starting to shiver a little at that point. The rest of us were chilly but fine.
57970
Trevor was mad at me because I made him leave his stick behind.
57971
Trevor getting ready for another swim.
57972
57973
Trevor watching his mom slide down into the next pool. Fun stuff.
57943
57944
Trevor is happy again, he found another stick and I let him keep it (sorry Mr. Ranger).
57945
All smiles!
57946
Lots of fun downclimbing into cold pools.
57947
Pools were all nearly full and clean.
57948
This one's a swimmer.
57949
Nancy, Brandon, and Trevor opted for the early exit after seeing the final scummy looking pool on the approach and took this from the trail above.
57950
What looked skanky was really just floating bark and pine needles and Justin and I had a great time finishing the middle portion.
57952
Trevor's little legs were pretty tired at this point and so Nancy and Brandon left us in the dust, but did stop to snap a few photos and let us catch up. It was at about this point that we could see lightning flashing and real thunder this time and were thankful that we were out of the canyon.
57953
We didn't take any more pics of the decent as we were trying to beat the black cloud that was forming above us. We made it to the bus stop as it started to sprinkle and just as the bus left the stop it started to rain hard. Nancy snapped these photos from the shuttle bus. I can't really describe the feeling I felt as I realized that surely Echo was flashing as much or more than these. Certainly have a vivid respect for the power of nature.
57954
57955
As we drove to ZAC to return the wetsuits, we noticed a fire on the hillside. I guess the next shower must have put it out as I haven't heard anymore about it.
57956
Echo Canyon certainly was an incredibly fun adventure for our entire family. I am grateful for those that offered insight and advise to help make this a success for us. Time to start planning the next canyon...hmmm.
After a long series of switchbacks, the trail became less steep as it followed Lower Echo for a ways.
57957
I would like to know how they got all the concrete up there to pave the trail? Must have been a lot of work.
57965
Beautiful hike in the morning sun.
57966
It was about this point that I realized that I'd remembered everything except the beta :facepalm1:. Not a good thing for most canyons, but I had studied it a lot and had a good idea of the layout of the canyon from the Bing image.
After a while of looking for the midpoint entry, we finally found it and made it to the bottom of the canyon to relax for a moment in the cool shade. Time to suit up and get ready for the first rappel.
57967
One thing I noticed about Echo, most raps seem to have awkward starts. This first one I tandem rapped with Trevor and it was not a pretty sight. We reevaluated and I successfully lowered him on all the rest. Worked much better.
57968
Lots of downed timber scattered throughout the canyon.
57969
We hardly took any pictures of the good stuff:facepalm1:, the first reason being that we kept hearing what sounded like thunder, and we were a little spooked (ended up being jets flying overhead?? I think), and the second was that we really need a waterproof camera. Pulling it out of the dry bag every time got old fast.
This photo was taken after the last rap into the echo chamber. Everyone was having a great time, although Brandon (9) on the left, was starting to shiver a little at that point. The rest of us were chilly but fine.
57970
Trevor was mad at me because I made him leave his stick behind.
57971
Trevor getting ready for another swim.
57972
57973
Trevor watching his mom slide down into the next pool. Fun stuff.
57943
57944
Trevor is happy again, he found another stick and I let him keep it (sorry Mr. Ranger).
57945
All smiles!
57946
Lots of fun downclimbing into cold pools.
57947
Pools were all nearly full and clean.
57948
This one's a swimmer.
57949
Nancy, Brandon, and Trevor opted for the early exit after seeing the final scummy looking pool on the approach and took this from the trail above.
57950
What looked skanky was really just floating bark and pine needles and Justin and I had a great time finishing the middle portion.
57952
Trevor's little legs were pretty tired at this point and so Nancy and Brandon left us in the dust, but did stop to snap a few photos and let us catch up. It was at about this point that we could see lightning flashing and real thunder this time and were thankful that we were out of the canyon.
57953
We didn't take any more pics of the decent as we were trying to beat the black cloud that was forming above us. We made it to the bus stop as it started to sprinkle and just as the bus left the stop it started to rain hard. Nancy snapped these photos from the shuttle bus. I can't really describe the feeling I felt as I realized that surely Echo was flashing as much or more than these. Certainly have a vivid respect for the power of nature.
57954
57955
As we drove to ZAC to return the wetsuits, we noticed a fire on the hillside. I guess the next shower must have put it out as I haven't heard anymore about it.
57956
Echo Canyon certainly was an incredibly fun adventure for our entire family. I am grateful for those that offered insight and advise to help make this a success for us. Time to start planning the next canyon...hmmm.