I had a strange but fantastic day today in Zion National Park.

Strange, because I, along with several thousand people, decided to take advantage of the cool front moving through Southern Utah. Cool fronts are not unusual for this time of year, and they are a welcome reprieve from the rising temperatures in the Southern Utah desert park. The cool front is expected to drop daytime temperatures to around 70 degrees by mid-morning.

With blazing blue skies, I follow the dozens of cars moving slowly through Springdale, Utah, toward the south entrance to the park. The south gate was redesigned last year and now contains three lanes, two of which currently held about 20 cars each; however, the third lane didn’t have a single vehicle.

I double-checked the green arrow light to ensure the lane was open, and as I pulled into the route, the booth ranger leaned out the window and waved me on. When I arrived, I showed my ID and asked what she was doing to keep people away? She didn’t know but said, “everyone is looking, but no one is brave enough to follow.”

Checking my rearview mirror, I could see that she was right. Weird. We chatted a minute, and I warned her that the floodgates would open when I pulled out. Another brave soul pulled in as I drove away; sure enough, that was all it took.

I pondered what happened most of the day. So disturbed by the fact that have we as a country turned into sheep? Frankly, the only risk would have been to back up or turn around and go to the end of the line. What happened to all the leaders and risk-takers?

“Scarlet Begonia” Copyright BrickBarnBlog2022

I hiked up Many Pools dry falls, happy with the performance of my new knee on angled slick rock, sand, steep slabs, and riverbed rock. Just walking in the sunshine felt great. Unfortunately, the downhill performance is still weak but mechanically sound, which I’ve missed for several years.

“Bighorn Sheep” Copyright BrickBarnBlog2022

Just before the alcove, a small herd of bighorn sheep came grazing across the path, and I stopped for a moment to watch the newborn kids follow their mothers. One appeared to be about a week or maybe more old.

I spent about an hour hiking and only saw four people. I exited the canyon by following the wash down and through the old culvert tunnel dug under Hwy-9. Zion is still rugged off the beaten path.

Previously unpublished trip report. Hiked: May 21, 2022