East Zion dry wash, with tadpoles
On the East side of Zion National Park, hiking through dry washes offers unique experiences off the beaten path. These areas provide opportunities for exploring tunnels, slot canyons, and sandstone cliffs, and can be explored independently with no formal permits.
We did just that with our son, daugher-in-law and friend when they visited recently. It was fun exploring, seeing so many different elements on a short, easy and uncrowded (i.e. we encountered no other hikers!) trail.
Just east of the 2nd tunnel, we parked in one of the many small turnout lots, and immediately dropped down into the Clear Creek Wash. Soon we were walking thru small slot canyons of swirling sandstone …
We came to a dark tunnel underneath UT-9, and the brave young people dove right in, leading the way …
On the other side, we encountered many pools, still full with water from recent rains …
… with some as large and deep as a jacuzzi …
They were surprisingly teeming with tadpoles …
The sandstone swirls, in red and pink and white colors, look beautiful highlighted by the green trees and blue sky background …
We concluded our visit to the East side with a stop at the iconic Checkerboard Mesa overlook. Nature is so cool!
For other east side hiking experiences from our 2022 adventure in Zion National Park, see here and here.