The Great White Throne

Today we took a bike ride up Zion Canyon all the way to the end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and the last shuttle stop at the Temple of Sinawava. We parked, and walked the additional mile up the Riverside Walk, where we watched hikers — dressed in rented bib-overall wetsuits, special shoes and carrying hiking sticks — stepping into the water to begin their trek up The Narrows.

By far the highlight of our ride was a stop on the way back down, at an abandoned overlook stop just south of the Big Bend shuttle stop, which looks up to The Great White Throne. Rising 2,350 feet above the valley floor, it is one of the park's most impressive landmarks, often used as the symbol of the park.  This white sandstone monolith can be seen from most locations along the scenic drive.

Here’s a picture of The Great White Throne, with The Organ in the foreground and Angels Landing to the right. Fun fact: These names were given by Methodist minister Frederick Vining Fisher from Ogden UT during a visit to Zion Canyon in 1916.

This particular stop on the Scenic Drive, located just below Observation Point, which we hiked yesterday, has to be my new favorite spot in the park. One is surrounded by canyon walls, yet has vistas to the south (see picture above). You’re just steps from the road where shuttles run steadily, yet can feel alone and away from the crowds because the stop is unmarked and little trafficked.

Below you can see our ride stats, from Nancy’s Garmin vívoactive 4S. No land speed records were set, but hey, it was all up hill! And we had to pull over and stop each time a shuttle bus passed — its the rule here.

We may be getting older, but still trying to get it done!