This was our first hike in Zion National Park.   It was 98 degrees (F) and I had a fever from a cold that had hit me the night before.   I took some analgesic and then chose a steep hike.   I sweated and puffed on the switchbacks, but on every stage, I was blown away by the unique trail and scenery.

The Observation Point Trail starts at the Weeping Rock.   Water seeps through the deep cracks in the sandstone and comes out at unusual places.   This seep fracture provides water all year round and a small stream flows into the Virgin River.   Hanging gardens and steaked rock bring visitors to this stop.   The trail climbs by the feature, then switchbacks straight up the red sandstone cliffs to a hanging valley.

Next, the trail follows a ledge above Echo Canyon.   Hikers can enter the canyon floor farther up, although they need to swim through potholes to proceed very far.  The canyoneering route down Echo Canyon requires some climbing gear to rappel down some vertical drops.

As hikers we can peer over the ledge and see the sculpted walls and at one point, we cross the canyon where it levels with the trail.  The canyon was cooler and we lingered here before climbing above.   The trail leaves Echo Canyon and cimbs up a series of ledges on what appeared to be a sheer face, but a route was carved out nonetheless.   As we climbed, we could look over the edge and see a sheer 1200 foot drop below.   None of these trails are built for anyone with a fear of heights.

Observation Point is viewpoint on the edge of a mesa overlooking Zion Valley. A sunny and airy spot. Cathedral Mountain, Angel’s Landing, Cable Mountain, slickrock slopes, and the great White Throne dominate the scenery.  This was my first hike in Zion and I was thoroughly smitten.   This is a hike I would return to often, a pilgrimage, an immersion in the spirituality of the desert canyons.

“The world is charged with the grandeur of God, …

And for all this nature is never spent;

There lives the dearest freshness deep down things…” (G.M. Hopkins)