Zion/Grand Canyon:Rim-to-River-to-Rim Hiking Tour

   We never lose sight of the relative proximity of Zion and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the ease of combining these two southwestern treasures into a single hiking trip, as we’ve done on several past occasions. It’s time to do so again, particularly as another way to mark our 31th birthday, and that’s our plan for the season ahead.

 Zion/Grand Canyon assembles early morning of Day 1 in Las Vegas and we’ll van shuttle to Zion, arriving early enough to enjoy a relatively full day in the park. We’ll initially hike to beautiful Emerald Pools (3 miles) and then, weather and water flow conditions permitting, later that afternoon hike along the Virgin River to the gateway to the Narrows. After the first mile, the trail ends and we’ll wade upstream through the Virgin’s narrow corridor, at least far enough for a sense of the spectacular nature of the Narrows (3 miles).

 On Day 2, we’ll hike from the floor of Zion Canyon through Echo Canyon to awesome Observation Point, the highest accessible promontory in Zion. The views from Observation Point are incredible. Far below, the Virgin River winds through the canyon towards its ultimate rendezvous with the Colorado at Lake Mead. From our vantage point, we look down on famed Angel’s Landing with its swarm of hikers (8 miles).

Following a second night, we’ll hike to the storied summit of Angel’s Landing (5 miles). That afternoon, we’re headed by van to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. We’ll overnight, and then descend into the canyon the following morning (14 miles).

 We’ll spend the evening at Phantom Ranch and begin our 10-mile climb up the Bright Angel Trail the following morning. We’ll cross the Colorado as the sun begins to rise above the canyon walls and then emerge from the inner gorge as we steadily make our way to the South Rim. An awesome dinner at El Tovar is our reward that evening. We’ll spend the night on the south rim at one of two lodges and hike along the west rim (4 miles) on our final morning prior to our van shuttle to Flagstaff where our Zion Grand Canyon Rim River Rim Hiking Tour concludes.