Zion Easy Trail

Looking for a short and easy hike before breakfast or dinner when visiting Zion National Park, try the first mile of the Emerald Pools Trail, which runs to the first of three “emerald” pools. That section of the trail is slightly rolling and paved. Beyond that, the next two miles to the middle and upper pools is not paved and more challenging.

A convenient access point is found out the front door of the Park Lodge, across Floor of the Valley Road, and over the foot bridge that crosses the Virgin River.

The trail first runs along the face of Lady Mountain (on the left in the photo below) and then turns back Heaps Canyon between Lady Mountain and Castle Rome (to the right in that photo).

At the point the trail turns into the canyon, there is a great view northward up the Virgin River and Zion Valley (see photo below). Heaps Canyon is narrow with deep steep sides, so hikers need to beware of flash floods in rainy weather both in the park and higher elevations.

The site of water running off the concave cliff face above the trail and into the first pool is neat. The pool is dark and under certain light conditions greenish in color.

Below is another small falls on the trail.