Wednesday October 23, South Camp, Zion National Park UT

 Yes, we have finally got here and WOW!!!! Arrived at the park late morning and picked a campsite in South Camp, a first come, first serve camp. Immediately all I could see were the autumn colours of the Fremont cottonwood trees…and guess that the delay in getting here meant that we could fully appreciate the autumn colours of the park. It is a great camp, very informal with no facilities but everyone is here to enjoy the park.

Put on our hiking shoes, packed up backpacks with camera gear, water and some snacks after an early lunch and walked to the Visitor Centre where the free park shuttle bus left from. What a great system they have to get people into the park, these buses are a double unit, with a passenger trailer and arrive about every 5 minutes allowing you to get on and off at whatever stop you like.
We took the bus right to the end of the park on a road which follows the Virgin River,  all the way just “ogling” out the window at the views, just so spectacular with its sheer rock faces, colours and form.

From the end of the road we did a 2 ½ mile round trip hike following the river to where it emerges from an area called the Narrows…..didn’t think we were up to negotiating that section which is actually through the river! All along the way the views were stunning, the autumn colours just adding that special touch.

We returned hopping on and off the shuttle bus to walk to several other trails, all quite different but just as spectacular. After spending the last few weeks in the arid desert, to see running water, ferns, plants and trees in oasis like surroundings really is breathtaking. The Weeping Rock trail was special, the water just continually seeping out of the rock and running into the river.

Enjoyed getting the shoes off and a sitting with a well deserve cold beer at the end of a really great afternoon.

The weeping rock

Shuttle bus, with its "passenger" trailer!