The Watchman
The Virgin River enters The Narrows
Zion National Park is among the top four most-visited US Parks. Who first discovered the dramatic canyons, plateaus, petrified dunes and towers? Its name was borrowed from the Jewish people who called their homeland, Sion. Mormon settlers rewrote the name as Zion meaning “promised land” or home of “the righteous”.
Fossils provide evidence that early people hunted prehistoric mammoths, camels and other mammals. Eventually, however, the climate changed worldwide, animals were over-hunted and cave men and women were unable to survive. Prehistoric animals died out 8,000 years ago.
Centuries later Ancestral Puebloans developed skills as farmers and adapted to life in the canyons of the Southwest by hunting smaller animals. These people are often referred to as Anasazi. They became adept at building cliff dwellings, weaving sturdy baskets and protecting their homes from invaders. They moved away by 1300 AD, but their history is still a mystery today.
Southern Paiute people and Ute clans, moved into the canyons. Storage jars with dried corn intact have been found which are over 1,000 years old. There is evidence of trading with other indigenous people. We now know that these tribes preferred a nomadic lifestyle, moving with seasonal weather changes and food supplies.
Indigenous people weren’t the only settlers drawn to this remote canyon. Mormon pioneers were intrepid explorers. In the early 1860’s some settled in Zion as well as on the 5,000 – 7,000 foot high rim of the Colorado Plateau, planting trees and using terraces which allowed them to take advantage of longer growing seasons. However, they were not always able to predict flash floods, fires and massive landslides. The Mormons also had to move on.
If you are able to travel to Southwestern Utah, as well as gaining entry to Zion National Park today, you will be rewarded with wildlife such as: pinon mice, rare tree frogs, desert tortoise, elk, eagles, California condors and peregrine falcons. Campers, cyclists and hikers will not tire of the hanging gardens, waterfalls, and slot canyons. Although it only rains about 15 inches a year, the Virgin River continues to shape the sandstone and shale formations into arches, checkerboard mountains, balanced rocks and towers. One popular feature is The Narrows, a canyon which is only twenty feet wide. Tourists use tall hiking poles and flotation devices to wade through the dramatic river bottom.
The scenic 6-mile drive in Zion Canyon requires reservations on a shuttle during spring, summer and fall. Call or reserve online well in advance. If you are unable to secure a free ticket, you can ride bikes, but beware, the two-lane road is difficult. Once you reserve a shuttle ticket online, go to the Visitors’ Center to board your hop-on, hop-off bus on the scenic road. Nearby Kolob Canyon provides an accessible area with far fewer people. We were surprised to discover sensational views and hikes in the Kolob Canyon area of Zion N. P. An entrance fee is required, but you can drive directly to trailheads and scenic overlooks.
For more information call (435) 772-3256 or log on to nps.gov/zion.
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