Day 62 – 5/14/16
18 map / (forgot) GPS miles
927.0 / 1001.9 miles total
What a strange day. We finished the “official” Hayduke trail at Weeping Rock. But since we’re extending the route to the west end of Zion, it’s not really over for us yet. Still a strange feeling.
We woke up early to leave time for all the town chores we anticipated. The first few miles went through slickrock and sandy bits of backcountry until we popped out at the highway by the park’s east entrance and Checkerboard Mesa.
From there we took the East Rim trail, which was lovely, across a plateau towards the main canyon.
The hike back down and into the main canyon was overwhelming. Just so, so many people. It made the Grand Canyon corridor seem empty.
Then we crammed on the very crowded shuttle bus back to the visitor center, where we attempted to get permits to complete our hike. It turns out it’s really quite impossible to get them. Oh, and Zion doesn’t actually have a hiker-biker site in its campground, and of course every hotel and campground in town was booked solid. There was no legal place for us to sleep.
By this point, we’d had our fill of Zion and were ready to just get the hell out of the chaos. We got a text from Carrot and Dan, who were hitching into Hurricane that night from Colorado City. Hurricane was about 20 miles from us, and a quick online search told us there were actually hotels available there. Thumbs out.
We amazingly got picked up quickly by a group from Holland in an RV! By the time we actually got to Hurricane the town had gotten short on hotel rooms. $160 for a room at the Super 8?! Two hours earlier there were rooms at the Rodeway in for $79. By the time we got there it was $150 plus tax. Without much choice, we coughed up the money. Upon opening the door to our room we discovered it had a king plus 2 queen beds. So overkill. Thankfully we got in touch with Carrot and Dan, who’d just gotten into town and didn’t have a room yet and we all shared. Back down to affordability!
We shared war stories of the Grand Canyon over dinner, then started on all the town chores. Dan and Carrot are stuck zeroing tomorrow waiting for the post office to open. We somehow need to get back to Zion and keep on walking.
Oh no, that’s Weeping Rock from above on the switchbacks. At the bottom are bathrooms and a picnic table. There is a little walkway there to the actual Weeping Rock spot. Photo is in this post. http://www.walkingwithwired.com/2015/05/day-61-hayduke-finish-bonus-traverse.html
Nope, you’re mistaken. We took the little trail up to the weeping rock. That’s where the photo was taken.
Ah, that threw me cause it’s the viewpoint and the rock wall is behind the photographer.
Don’t you suppose the “heavily perfumed tourists” notice that you thru hikers also have a distinctive aroma of your own?
For a person who is afraid of heights I am so grateful for this wonderful adventure. In a way I envy you this experience. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful views. Feel like I have been with you.
“What a strange day”, yep. Hope that it all goes well from here. And by the way, great post.
Hey dropnroll,
Many thanks to you and your comrades for an Amazing trek…..looking forward to your next venture !
Chuck