While I’ve been in Utah a few times, I had never gone through Zion yet. The upper third of these mountains consists of Navajo Sandstone. It is a very touristy place and I took advantage of the off-season to discover it.
 
 
1. Going up in Zion Canyon, accessible by a paved road.
 

 
 
2. Cottonwoods don’t have leaves anymore in this season.
 

 
 
3. Angel Landing. For those who know it, climbing this edge while rock is covered with snow and ice is quite… well… aerial! 😉 I must say that there are a few hundred feet of emptyness on each side and that certain passages are not more than five feet wide.
 

 
 
4. Hiking the West Rim trail…
 

 
 
5. Top left, the edge by which one accesses Angel Landing.
 

 
 
6. Reaching Navajo sandstone in characteristic light color.
 

 
 
7. Toward South…
 

 
 
8. Lower Zion Canyon in late afternoon.
 

 
 
9. From my camp… 😀
 

 
 
The next morning, after obtaining the required permit because the hike is quite engaged, I went for a long hik of about 14 miles. Rather than hiking, I should say a gymkhana! Except for the first two miles, it’s going upstream in a torrent crowling large blocks, constantly going up and down, crossing fifteen times the water at 37F, skating on snow and ice, without any sun… In short, something not to recommend to anyone, especially in this season. Moreover, the ranger looked at me with surprised eyes when I asked him for the permit, saying: “Do you really want to go ther in this season?”. 😀
Why this hike you might think. To exploreng a rather exceptional slot canyon, the “Subway” as it’s called.
 
 
10. While there is still about 2 miles to go, the canyon is still open and small waterfalls jump down rock stairs.
 

 
 
11. The most photographed waterfall, less than 1 mile down the slot canyon.
 

 
 
12. Here is the entrance of the slot canyon with its characteristic form that earned it its name.
 

 
 
13. Floods of the river dug a kind of tube-shaped hose.
 

 
 
14. The “turning” from downstream.
 

 
 
15. Small waterfalls dug a series of pots where the water is emerald.
 

 
 
16. Above, the canyon reopens before closing again. It requires climbing equipment to continue.
 

 
 
17. Beautiful pots.
 

 
 
18. The turning from upstream.
 

 
 
19. Coming out of this incomparable canyon…
 

 
 
That’s it for today! 😉
 
To be followed in some days…