Grafton Ghost Town

Cemetery at Grafton Ghost Town

Virgin River

Zion Canyon RV Resort, Springdale, UT: This morning we decided to hike the emerald pool trail. Filled our fanny packs with sandwiches and drinks and headed out for the shuttle bus. Wanted to get out early because it’s been screaming hot and we wanted to be in the big bend area by noon so we can watch a couple of guys rock climbing up this cliff. While we were at the Spotted Dog restaurant for dinner the other night, I asked our waiter where we could see some climbing. He said he and a friend were going out on Monday and to be at the Big Bend stop on the shuttle by noon. So, we did our hike up to the lower emerald pool—which was a nice hike and pretty cool up there with the water fall—and then came back down and walked along the Virgin River for a while and then walked over to the Zion Lodge and sat in the shade cooling off. Then hopped on the shuttle and got off at the Big Bend stop. Our bus driver pointed out some hikers on the Angel’s Landing trail which was a ledge on the side of the cliff. Yikes! We found the guys getting ready to climb and watched them for three hours there in the shade at the shuttle stop. Could hardly see them with the naked eye. Even with binoculars it was hard. Shows you how huge that cliff face really is. We were thinking about going back for a while this evening, but it’s so screaming hot think we’ll pass. Probably over 100 today. Tomorrow we’re planning on hiking the riverside trail and into the narrows.