Observation Point @ Zion NP

Observation Point looking down on Angels Landing

My absolute favorite time to visit Zion National Park is in autumn.  The golden colors of fall makes this exquisite place even more beautiful!  I have hiked many of the trails throughout the park and was looking for something a bit different on this trip.  We decided to try the East Mesa trail to Observation Point then return by way of Echo Canyon and the Weeping Rock trail.  A shuttle car is necessary for the way we chose to do the hike or you may be able to contact one of the Zion Park adventure companies to see if they offer rides out to East Mesa.  It was a little tricky finding the East Mesa trail and I'm going to do my best to give directions.  Begin by driving to the east entrance of the park along the Zion - Mount Carmel Highway.  I love this stretch of road.  It's fun to drive through the 1.1 mile tunnel and if you are lucky you will spot a herd of big horn sheep that hang out in the area around Checkerboard Mesa.

From the east boundary of Zion drive about 2 miles on Route 9 until you reach a sign for North Fork Road, turn left and drive this paved road for about 5.5 miles until you reach Zion Ponderosa Resort.  Turn left into the Resort passing under the gate for Zion Ponderosa.  Follow Pine Angle Road heading west, here the paved road ends and you start passing privately owned cabin lots.  There were two or three signs along the road pointing you in the direction of Observation Point.  The road becomes really rough the last couple of miles. (Not recommended for low clearance vehicles, but my Subaru Outback did great)  The drive from Springdale to the East Mesa trail took us about one hour.  The dirt road will end at a fenced area, find a place to park and the East Mesa trailhead is just a few feet left of this fence.  The East Mesa trail follows an old jeep road through beautiful ponderosa pines with some great canyon views as well. 

It is a leisurely walk of 3.2 miles to reach Observation Point.  From Observation Point the views of Zion Canyon are truly spectacular!  Spend some time at the top just to soak in the views.

Standing on the edge!

We hiked down from Observation Point through Echo Canyon along the Weeping Rock trail.  This is a 4 mile trek down a steep trail (2148 feet of elevation change) with long drop-offs, but this trail is classic Zion National Park scenery and so worth doing.

Echo Canyon

More of Echo Canyon

Beautiful golden colors in the canyon

At the bottom of Weeping Rock trail we caught the Zion Park shuttle for a ride back to the visitors center where we left our second car.  The only downside of doing this hike from East Mesa Trail was driving back to the beginning of our adventure to get the Subaru.

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

184.5