Getting Ready to Hike Across Zion in a Day - Again!

It was an early morning start on a Saturday, May 6th 2006. Plans had
been made over the preceding month or so and it was beginning to fit
together. I was to pick up Rob and Denise in Springdale somewhere
around 3AM, and then shuttle back to Kolob Canyons and meet the rest
of the group, Jeff, Steve and friend to begin at 4AM, a long day of
hiking.

This hike would travel through one of the most beautiful parks in the
National Park System and eventually culminate after roughly 50 miles
of walking. I had done this trip before some 5 years earlier, but had
started at the east entrance of Zion rather than the west side.

Steve and friend had driven up from Las Vegas the day before,
thinking that this would be a noble undertaking; Jeff on the other
hand had been on his annual dose of Zion and had thought that
seeing "Zion in a Day" would be a great fix! Rob....well....this
would be a "warm-up" for his 24 hour race in Southern Nevada next
weekend! Denise had spent many such outings that tested endurance,
stamina and will power, so this seemed to fit!

After our introductions and hello's at Lee Pass, the hiking began at
about 4:10. Headlamping as we descended, the group was pretty tight
knit all the way until we got to Hop Valley. Rob and I sort of broke
off to the front of the pack as twilight illuminated this magnificent
valley and we found ourselves stopping for some conversation and
reminiscing about some of the experiences we'd had in the past. Soon
the group formed again and we all converged at the Hop Valley
Trailhead where Steves lady friend and Robs lady friend had
refreshments and moral support. It was somewhere around 7AM or so. At
this point Rob had decided that he would be better off saving his
reserves for the race he had committed to next weekend. We started as
6, now down to 5. Steve and partner relaxed, took in some calories
and tended to feet while Denise and Jeff made a quick pit stop and
continued on the connector trail to Wildcat Canyon. I followed suit
shortly and caught Denise and Jeff somewhere around the Northgate
Peaks Trail. I was sure that Steve and partner would be shortly
behind. Denise, decided to stop and swap socks and told Jeff and I to
move along and she would follow. Arriving at the West Rim trail just
around 1 PM? a wonderful surprise! Tanya and Nikki awaited. What a
welcome sight after 25+ miles of walking. I hadn't expected to see
them until the Grotto! They had hiked from Lava Point with sandwiches
and drinks for us! Well, Jeff and I spent the next 30 minutes gorging
and enjoying the company and moral support these 2 wonderful ladies
offered, and soon the rest of the group had arrived. The miles had
begun to take their toll, as we knew they would. Realizing that it
was half over and that the next 14 miles would be downhill, Jeff and
I decided to get a start ahead of the rest. I told Tanya that we
should be at the Grotto somewhere around 4-4:30. Well....it was more
like 5-5:30, but there they were waiting, our support team! Thank
you! They asked us if we wanted to sit and rest before the long
ascent up the East Rim? I think both Jeff and I looked at each other
and without a word knew that if we sat now, we probably wouldn't (or
couldn't!) get up to finish. 39 miles down and 11 to go! We knew the
others couldn't be far behind and that support was waiting for them,
so off we went. Up the road (that shuttle sure was tempting!) and the
trudge up the East Rim. I think that knowing there were only 10 miles
left now made the ascent much easier, but I have to admit; the last
steep hill out of Echo Canyon was a BEAR! Even the gradual grade
beyond Stave Spring seemed like an eternity!
Ahhhhhhhhh....alas....the last 4 miles of gentle grade down was such
a relief! 2 miles before the end and here comes Tanya and Nikki!
Wow...such wonderful company and moral support this was. They offered
to carry our packs, but being proud, both Jeff and I declined their
generous offers. The next 2 miles were the best of the entire hike
with fun conversation and knowing that we were going to make the
entire 50 miles in one day. At 9:10 PM we arrived at Tanyas Van at
the East Entrance Of Zion national Park. We didn't learn that the
others had decided to end their respectable 39 mile journey at the
Grotto until later that evening. Jeff and I were ready for the 2 hour
shuttle back to our awaiting vehicles at Lee Pass, but Tanya so
kindly offered a motel room at her Best Western in Mt. Carmel
Junction. We were in heaven! I went out to the hot tub that evening
and low and behold out comes Steve and Crew! They had not found a
hotel room in Springdale as planned and also were staying at Tanyas
Best Western! After conversation and soothing soaking, I learned that
blisters and knee pounding had dampered their efforts to finish up
the remaining 11 miles. I have a feeling that Steve may want to give
this another go though. Denise also had previous arangements in
Springdale, so the Grotto was the logical stopping point for her as
well.

Well....The next morning, Tanya shuttled Jeff and I back to our
vehicles at Lee Pass and we said our farewells.

I just want to thank everyone for a fun adventure and all the support
given.

I sort of hope to be on the trail again this May if it is to be! If
there is anyone that would like to join, maybe we can give it another
go?

Cheers!
Bo