East Zion Wash

Last evening we set out to hike the newly re-opened Canyon Overlook Trail for sunset. Alas, it was packed with people, and no available parking along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway at the trailhead just east of the Zion Tunnel. It’s a very popular trail.

So we had to improvise. Driving a bit further, we pulled over near the Checkerboard Mesa, ~2.5 miles east of the East Tunnel. There was a herd of Desert Bighorn Sheep grazing nearby, and attracting a crowd of picture-takers, so we ducked down the other side of the highway to explore a dry wash that is Pine Creek.

It turned out to be fabulous! The walls were like a mini slot canyon. The low angle sunlight (it was past 7pm MDT) made the colors pop. And we had the wash to ourselves! (Which, as we are discovering in Zion, is a real treat!)

Here are some of the snaps.

As usual, Nancy was moving out in front!

Every now and then she’d look back to see where I was.

This is looking up out of the wash to the Checkerboard Mesa.

Here are some pictures that try to capture the beauty.

We backtracked up the wash, finding the Desert Bighorn Sheep still grazing and resting, and attracting a crowd of picture-takers.

If Zion Canyon didn’t exist, East Zion would still be worthy of national park status. We hope to be back for some more cool evening dry wash exploring!