Trip Date: December 2010
Zion Canyon in the Snow
With its massive red and white sandstone cliffs and monoliths, Zion Canyon is already a special place. But add a good dusting of snow and you’ll get a place that is extra special. The floor of Zion Canyon does not see snow very often. Usually during winter however, you will see accumulated snow at the higher peaks above 5,000 feet. But when the canyon floor is hit by a good snowstorm, you can be assured of some pretty spectacular scenery.
During this particular four day visit to Zion, we really lucked out. Our first two days included clear skies with cold temperatures. We even took a quick jaunt over to Bryce Canyon, which is much higher than Zion, to enjoy its unique wintry look. Our third day in Zion was cloaked entirely by a really big snowstorm. The next (fourth) day, the clear skies returned revealing the magnificent beauty you will see in our virtual tour.
Visiting in the Winter
Visiting Zion National Park in the wintertime has many advantages. They are, in no particular order:
- no crowds or heavy traffic
- you don’t have to take the trams and you can drive into the canyon
- there are more waterfalls running
- easy to get lodging in Springdale.
Just remember that the downside is:
- it’s pretty cold
- you can’t hike up the narrows, unless you like really cold water
- you might get hit by a spell of bad weather
- some of the businesses in Springdale are closed.
Music
Wondering through this remarkable winter landscape, one’s mind can’t help from humming the music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. So it felt fitting to synchronize two of his best known pieces into our virtual tour. We’re sure that you’ll recognize the fast moving Trepak (Russian Dance) and the graceful Waltz Of The Flowers.
Virtual Tour
Waterfall at Zion Narrows
Waterfalls
Just like experiencing the abundance of waterfalls in Yosemite Valley during the spring, Zion Canyon sprouts waterfalls in places that you wouldn’t expect during wet periods. Unlike Yosemite however, Zion’s waterfalls occur in the middle of winter immediately after a large snowfall or during the monsoon season after a large thunderstorm.
The most common waterfall that we always see during our visits to Zion is the series of falls at the Emerald Pools, with the largest one at the upper pools. This one was flowing during the snow at about the normal rate.
A not so common waterfall that was flowing about the same as Emerald Pools was a waterfall next to Weeping Rock. This seems to be the next most common flowing waterfall.
We also encountered several waterfalls along the one mile hike from the end of the road to the Zion Narrows. The biggest can easily be seen across the Virgin River directly west of the parking area. Another very tall waterfall occurs about one third of the way along the trail on the right.
Whenever you are traveling through Zion Canyon, while looking at all the other beauty, be sure to be on the lookout for waterfalls.
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