Exploring the Zion canyon floor

Our tent in the canyon near the river

We got into the south entrance of Zion National Park early, and got a coveted spot in the South Campground, right in the canyon. Deer wandered and grazed, not bothered at all by all the people nearby. After checking out the visitors centre, we were ready to catch the shuttle up canyon to the Lodge. Cars are no longer allowed past a certain point - the shuttle buses come along often, stop at most trailheads, are free, and you can hop on and off.

A hanging garden

Cardinal flowers

We got off at the Lodge and hiked up to the middle Emerald pool, along a sandy trail, spotting lizards, birds, rock squirrels and wildflowers, like the paintbrush and purple asters. At the middle pool, we crossed and took the trail down to the lower pool, walking under the small waterfall coming from the pool above, admiring the plants and ferns growing from the moist cliff; they call this a hanging garden. After lunch we took the shuttle right to the end of the road, and hiked the trail along the river; the canyon is narrow at this end; we passed a desert swamp, a mule deer resting in the shade only about 40 feet from the trail (a buck with impressive antlers), and butterflies visiting the red flowers growing up on the cliff.