ZION - UTAH

Jaycie’s Bunny Hoppin’ News: Exploring Zion National Park

By: Jaycie Lillie, 4/18/23

Zion National Park was AMAZING! We attended a Park Ranger’s talk first thing. It was about the people and how more came to visit this area. The first people to visit took a scenic train ride visiting other famous sites in the area and then lastly Zion before returning home. After a while a mile long tunnel was built which allowed many more to come in their cars!!! Before people knew about it, no one could have ever imagined a place like this could exist. A desert with mountainous cliffs and waterfalls shining with reds, pinks, greens, and grays! Artists then painted the landscape and people began to think it was a real place! Over time the National Park service developed it into what we now know, and millions of visitors visit every year!

After earning our Jr Ranger badge, we hiked 3 hikes to see and explore this beautiful park called Zion National Park.

The first hike was to a waterfall, and we saw Bighorn Sheep on our climb up!

The hike was called Weeping Rocks Trail because it was like the rocks were weeping…water was seeping out and dripping down from the natural spring inside.

On our way back down, the Bighorn Sheep were up and grazing! One was chomping on a bush. So many people were there!

We also got to hike back up behind the waterfall.

Our next hike was the Riverside trail leading to the Narrows. On this trail the water (which looked like Chocolate Milk) was rushing! There was another waterfall.

And the squirrels were begging everywhere you walked.

The Narrows were closed due to the snow melt flooding the narrow canyons.

We then hiked the lower Emerald Pools trail! The waterfalls were misting down with force and blowing in the breeze.

The pools were more a rusted green than emerald. It was still very beautiful.

The evergreens were full, and the other trees were still leafless. The vegetation was still growing, bushes and grass! I was surprised! I guess some are greener in the beginning of Spring than others. This tree wasn’t dead yet… It is still trying to grow!

The scenic drive was beautiful. We drove it out when we left.

We also drove through the tunnel that had 5 windows with gorgeous views!

Then we headed home. Long, but fun day! We were all tired!

Jett’s Wild Flight: HELICOPTER!

By: Jett Lillie, 4/19/23

We hit the road and mailed a few post cards on our way to the Zion Helicopter place. We went over safety rules, climbed into the 7-person helicopter, and took off!

We had music in our headsets, and we could learn about the place as well from our pilot talking. We could talk, too, and ask questions.

We flew over waterfalls and huge rock formations all over Zion National Park and the surrounding area. We flew for 30 minutes, it was awesome!

Zion Canyon with the Virgin River running through it.

We flew over a semi-active Volcano, too!

Then we landed on a tall Butte, and we got to walk around exploring. Since it was outside the National Park, we could collect a few rocks and petrified wood. I liked to climb up to the edge and look out which made my mom nervous.

We spelled out 4 Js in the rocks!

After we flew and landed back at Zion Helicopters, we then drove into the National Park and checked out the Human History Museum.

We watched the park video, and I adopted a Bighorn Sheep which I named “Zion Wilson.”

After that we shopped at some Rock & Mineral shops, drove another rode in the National Park (Kolob Scenic Byway) and then went home.

My favorite part was the helicopter ride!