Zion National Park 2013

Extending Summer in Southern Utah
We arrived just as the last flash flood on the Virgin River was receding. Chocolately water stayed this color our entire trip. Moon lily (sacred datura) covered the entire Zion valley floor. Zion's famous red roads and Fremont Cottonwood trees. Part of the upper Zion valley. Angel's Landing prominent, with Observation Point in the center distance. Yvonne crosses the Virgin River near "The Grotto".
Leaving Angel's Landing behind, we transition out of the red rock up on the West Rim Trail. Angel's landing ridge climb (never again). The morning sun makes the red rock glow. Easy enough trail to follow... Prairie Spiderwort in a shady spot. Layered sandstone give a nice reflected color.
The final pitch up to the West Rim (and hot sun). Beware, there be snakes up yonder... A slightly hazy morning up on the West Rim near Cabin Spring, looking across to the east. Ponderosa pine bark detail. Walter's Wiggles and Refrigerator Canyon as viewed from off the West Rim Trail. Yvonne escapes the heat while I fuss with camera grear (West Rim Trail). Yvonne's favorite tree since 2007. West Rim Trail, just above Scouts Lookout.
After the first 15 or so switchbacks on the Observation Pt Trail, Yvonne laughs at my inability to keep up. She's tough... and beautiful. A slot canyon gives us a relatively flat, but oh so nice cool break from the steep ascent. Gambel Oak Tree leaf -- backlit. From Observation Point, looking down the Zion valley (Angel's Landing in midground). Yvonne enjoys a nice break at Observation Point. Looking back down at the begining of our morning.
Under constant attack by fiendish chipmunks... The descent back down to the valley. This part of the trail is much more exposed than the photo shows. Tarantula! Sunrise at Canyon Overlook, reached after only a 1/2-mile hike. Zion National Park hoodoo. Yvonne, Queen of the Slick Rock Mesa. (We wandered off trail near the park's East entrance.)
Pale Evening Primrose. The window opening in the Zion tunnel makes for an incongruous scene. Great White Throne. An early evening view from Big Bend. Howard's Evening Primrose... blooming this early morning along the river below the Subway. The trail to the Subway is no trail. This is one reason a backcountry permit is required. Canyon Tree Frog, I believe. Sitting on a matching rock as we climbed over.
Proof positive that Yvonne's hand is smaller than a dinosaur's foot. Yvonne goes first, making sure the layered cascade is safe. No walking up this formation. A particularly interesting crack in the rock channels part of the flow. The Subway all to ourselves. Reached after a pounding up-river journey. Worth another view...
As far as we can go inside the Subway. Swimming required beyond... Yvonne exits the Subway... Crawford Arch looms over the valley, unknown to probably 95% of visitors. Yvonne is as tired of getting her photo taken as you probably are of looking at my images. Thanks for clicking through!