LET’S GET AMP’D!!!
AMP stands for Adventure, Mission, and Purpose. We are strong believers in the benefits of adventuring, especially with the people we love! That’s why Sunday will be filled with adventure opportunities for you to choose from! We have two amazing adventure liaisons that will help us share the beauty of Zion with you all! Please look at the options below, and we are so AMP’d to adventure with you soon!
AMP Options:
The Narrows - Not just a Mike & Faith favorite, but this is one of the most popular hikes in Zion (and rightfully so). The Narrows is the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. This gorge, with walls a thousand feet tall and the river sometimes just twenty to thirty feet wide, is one of the most popular areas in Zion. You can see The Narrows by hiking along the paved, wheelchair accessible Riverside Walk for one mile from the Temple of Sinawava. If you wish to see more, you will be walking in the Virgin River. This can involve wading upstream for just a few minutes or it can be an all day hike. Caleb will help with getting the appropriate gear for this hike. For the time of year we are going, we will hopefully only need water socks, water boots, and a stick. The water shouldn’t be high enough at that time to need bibs, but we will know more closer to the date! Please make sure you do not drink the water! This will be Sunday’s activity for all who are willing to go!
Canyon Overlook Trail - If you’re not feeling The Narrows for Sunday, no biggie! Here’s one of a couple other options to choose from! This is an easier and quicker trail that’s a fan favorite in Zion. Located in the Upper East Canyon portion of the park, the trail is actually one of the few official trails in the area. Canyon Overlook Trail is a moderate, 1 mi trail. The path begins with a series of sandstone steps with a metal handrail leading visitors over rocky terrain above a dark slot canyon. Near the end of the trail, the view opens up to an expanse of red and cream-colored slickrock. The end of the trail is marked by a fenced cliff edge facing the main Zion Canyon, with excellent views of the Towers of the Virgin. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep along the trail.
Kayenta Trail - If you want to visit the spot where Faith originally dreamt of getting married in Zion 15 years ago, check this awesome trail out! The moderate Kayenta Trail follows the Virgin River before ascending to the Lower and Upper Emerald Pool Trails. Provides panoramic views of Zion Canyon along the way. Long drop-offs are present along this trail. You can either return on the same trail, or make a loop using one of the Emerald Pools trails.
Location: Kayenta and West Rim Trailhead - “The Grotto” stop #6 on the shuttle. Use the crosswalk to reach the bridge over the Virgin River, then take a left up the sandstone steps to begin the hike.
Distance: 0.9 one way, elevation gain: 204.1 ft, elevation loss: 101.9 ft, If you continue going, there are longer trails that connect. The easiest connector is 3.3 miles and goes to the Lower Emerald Pool Trail or the Upper Emerald Pool Trail depending on which direction you go. That one ends at the Zion lodge.
Misc.: Restrooms and water are available at The Grotto.
Click on the option, and it will take you to an informational site to explore! There are so many awesome things to check out in Zion, so here are some of Mike & Faith’s favorites, along with some popular activities!
Other Things to Check Out:
No trip is complete without some good food! Here are some recommendations:
Camp Outpost: Mike & Faith are big fans of the Camp Burger. Mike recommends the Dead Horse Amber Ale & Faith recommends the Cucumber Margarita!
Red Rock Grill: Located in Zion Lodge
Zion Pizza & Noodle Company: Mike and Faith recommend the BBQ Chicken Pizza or the “Boring” Cheese Pizza!
Jack’s Sports Grille: There are a lot of family-friendly food options here! Faith recommends the Choco Brownie for dessert! :)
Canyon Coffee: Right by the entrance to the park, this cafe has beautiful views and ranks highly on Faith’s coffee list!