From the Middle Pool
12/16/2021: We did this hike counter clockwise from Zion Lodge. Grotto Trail to Kayenta, to Emerald Pools to make a 4-mile loop. The hike from the Grotto down the river towards the Emerald Pools, the Kayenta trail, is beautiful, especially with a dusting of snow. We saw no one on the Kayenta Trail until we reached the Lower Emerald Pool. The Pools are also beautiful. The Grotto hike? Meh, that is just a trail from the Lodge to Grotto picnic area. Then we saw several folks, who were taking the shorter hike directly up from the lodge. The hike parallels the Virgin, up to the Pools and back down.
Marg’s Notes: Decided to go into Zion our last day. A long drive, but worth it. We drove up to the end of the road and did the River Walk. Very cold! We bundled up. Lots of snow & ice on the ground, so we put on our shoe chain! They were awesome to have! Quite a few people but a pretty hike. 2.2 miles 1.5 hours. After that, we drove down to the Emarald Pools parking lot, but decided to make a loop with The Grotto, Kayenta, & Emarald Pools. Muddy on Kayenta. As we started to climb to the pools it got icy & we finally put our shoe chains on at the last pool. There was a beautiful pool at the top! There was a waterfall & some ice that occasionally crashed down into the pool. Wore our chains the whole way back to the car. Should have put them on sooner! 4.25 miles ~2½ hours. We were hungry so we went to the Zion Brew Pub. Very good! Had 2 beers each! Also had pub fries., chili & salad! Very good. Late lunch again. Back to Mesquite! Packed clothes & food.
Another light dinner.
Rod’s Ramblings from the Trail: A wonderful loop hike. Wear your spikes in the winter time or at least carry them.
I don’t know if this is a two-heart or three-heart hike. I would do it again, I think, which qualifies it as a three heart trail. But there are so many people, on the Emarald Trail, and that is in winter, the off season. Imagine the number of folks during the high season.
4 miles on the nose.