At The Backroads

Lower Emerald Pool, Zion National Park

Zion National Park is Utah’s first National Park. The Park has massive and stunning stone canyon walls, quite different from the nearby National Parks of Utah, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Park. This part of the Southwest is a National Park haven, there are just stunning views everywhere you look.

Virgin River and Giant Monoliths, Zion National Park

Our last visit in this beautiful park was in August 2007. We were here for only two days, yet it rained mostly on those 2 days. As a result, we were not able to hike Angels Landing. Since then, we had been dreaming about going back to Zion to take this trail. Angels Landing is one of the most famous and thrilling hikes in the National Park System, and the view at the end of the trail is very rewarding. Hopefully, when we go back there sometime next week, the weather would cooperate with us.

Waterfall Near the Lower Emerald Pool, Zion National Park

Another fun place to hike at Zion is the Narrows.

Hikers @ The Narrows, Zion National Park

We were able to take this trail and the Emerald Pools before we got rained out . Hiking the Narrows was probably my most fun-filled hike ever as I had not really hiked long enough along a river before.

The Narrows, Zion National Park

I did river crossings, but not really zigzagging in and out of the water for the entire hike. There are two options to hike the Narrows. One is from top to bottom, this is a strenuous 16 mile hike and requires a permit. What we did was the popular one, that is starting from bottom to top. The Narrows starts where the Riverside Walk trail ends. This hike can be enjoyed by hikers on any ability level. More than 60% of the hike is spent wading, walking and sometimes swimming on the river.

Hiking The Narrows, Zion National Park

The rocks underfoot were very slippery. It required balancing on an algae-coated rocks in the middle of a siwftly moving river. Be careful not to take this hike however when there is a coming rain. We were lucky on the day we took this trail that heavy rain poured when we were near the paved trail already back to the shuttle stop. There is always a risk of flooding at the Narrows or any slot canyons during rain. A hike during this condition should totally be avoided.

Next week is our spring break, and I may not be able to update this blog during that week for we will re-visit part of Utah and Arizona, the painted desert in the South West. I originally planned for a trip to Northern California in Redwood National Park, but, we moved it for summer. This coming week, off to Utah we go, and I can not wait.

Sea Dahlia, Torrey Pines State Reserve

I am sorry if I had been posting here about spring flowers one after another, I guess, all these wildflowers are giving me a spring fever . And to think spring is not really my favorite season, summer is. However, I see the unique beauty distinct to each season, and I actually make the most of each season’s surprises. Even though this is a hiking blog, but reality is, I love both hiking and ocean. I love hiking, because in hiking I get to see nature’s surprises and unfolding beauty which differs each day.

Mix of Spring Wildlfowers, @ Torrey Pines State Reserve

 However, I can forget about hiking once I am in the ocean and feeling the power of the waves. And to think I am not even a surfer! I just boogie board, like a child, I find tremendous joy in being pushed hard by the waves. Also, I get unequalled joy whenever I see fishes swimming by me. However, I do not like getting into the water when the water temperature is in the 50s. I prefer warmer water, which explains why my favorite season is summer . And summer is when the water temperature gets into the 60s, for some still frigid, but for me, good enough. And summer is when I get to do two things I enjoy the most, hiking and boogie boarding. Actually, add to that two, taking pictures of nature. The priceless bonus in hiking is the wonderful set of take home pictures that capture the memories I wanted to preserve. Though boogie boarding does not give me pictures, but nevertheless, I guess, it is always that child in me that will always seek for being with the waves.

One amazing and unique thing that I love about Torrey Pines State Reserve is that this is where I can combine all my simple pleasures, hiking and boogie boarding at the ocean. I usually start my day here hiking, enjoying the scenery at the top of the bluffs.

Carpeting Wildflowers at Guy Fleming Trail

We usually do not drive to the trailheads, instead, we park outside of the park. There are free parking on North Torrey Pines Road and on Carmel Valley Road. The East portion of the Reserve protects the grove of the rare Torrey Pine trees.

The Torrey Pines @ Guy Fleming Trail

Then, as you walk westward, the trail opens towards the ocean, with the North Torrey Pines State Beach below.

North Overlook @ Guy Fleming Trail

The west slopes are exposed to the sun, and the dots of pink in the above picture are ground pinks. Yes, they are so tiny wildflowers, but if you get a closer look, they look dainty, and beautiful too.

Ground Pinks

It is the west portion of the park that is carpeted with spring wildflowers right now. The shaded portion, where the groves of Torrey Pines could be found also have spots of wildflowers, but not in a lush carpet like in the exposed slopes.

Carpet of Wildlfowers

Mix of Wildflowers and the Ocean Below

After enjoying the scenery above, we would then hike down below, taking the Beach Trail or the Broken Hill Trail, both have access to the beach.

View of Flat Rock from the Beach Trail

Badlands and Carpet of Wildlfowers, from the Beach Trail

There are several overlooks such as the Red Butte, Razor Point (closed for renovation at present) and the Yucca Overlook at the Beach Trail. All of them have nice view of the ocean.

 At the Broken Hill Trail, there are coastal poppies that line some portion of the trail.

Coastal Poppies @ Broken Hill Trail

Sea of Gold by the Sea, @ Broken Hill Trail towards the Beach

Both trails at present are lined with sea dahlias and bush sunflowers.

Sea Dahlias

 Once at the beach, after being warmed enough exploring the top of the bluffs, it is time to enjoy the ocean and be with the waves.

Lonely Ocean, North Torrey Pines State Beach

Okay, I am just dreaming right now of boogie boarding, in fact, I haven’t boogie boarded yet. I am still waiting for summer, at present, there are more people just walking on shore than really getting into the water. I am just enjoying the wonderful sights of spring.

North Torrey Pines State Beach

Happy Spring again, everyone.