Hiking in Zion help please
 

Was reading about some of the hikes in Zion. But am uncertain about something I came across. Since we are new to hiking we are starting out on the easy and maybe moderate walks. We are interested in Weeping Rock (says minor drop offs, what is this and if you are afraid of heights do you do it?), Canyon Overlook - long drop offs? Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pools and Watchman, minor drop offs? Are these walks/areas complete drop offs from a cliff? Is there any protection? I may have to rethink the hiking and just do a drive in the car. Thanks for your help.

I've done all the hikes you mentioned a number of times, except the Canyon Overlook and it's been a while since I did that one, so I'll comment on the others.

Riverside Walk will be the easiest. You will walk a long way before you get to any drop off areas and then these are not bad. There are some low rock walls but nothing in the way of rails to keep you from falling off. The paths are wide and you can stay on the inside away from any drop offs if it really bothers you. If you feel uncomfortable, then you can always turn around and go back, but you will at least experience about half of the walk. It's beautiful.

At Weeping Rock parking lot you can see where the trail goes and can decide then if it's something you can handle or not. Yes, there are minor drop offs and most of the time there are no rails or protection in many spots but again the trail is wide enought to stay on the inside away from the drop offs. If you can manage Weeping Rock then I would say that Lower Emeral Pools would be ok too.

If nothing else at least get off the shuttle bus at each stop and enjoy the scenery. One nice thing about Zion is you are IN the canyon and all you have to do is look around to enjoy the beauty.

Utahtea

For the trails you're mentioning, I think they do mean steep or vertical dropoffs of up to about 10 feet, but on the edge of wide (wheelchair accessible in some cases) trails - for example, where the trail switches back on itself to make a steep walk easier. There are also dropoffs of a few feet down to the water as you're walking beside the river. I'm afraid of heights and didn't have a problem with any of these trails.

You might want to try the Gateway to the Narrows Trail which you can access from the Temple of Sinawava parking area at the end of the road. The paved 1 mile long trail winds up at the Virgin River and the start of the Narrows trip. Take sandals and you can walk aways up the river to cool off.
From 4/1 to 10/31 you must take the park shuttle buses if you want to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Check out their website at www.nps.gov/zion/home.htm. They offer a number of ranger led hikes that are geared to all ages and capabilities plus you learn a lot. Be sure to carry water.

I am not sure I know where a minor dropoff begins and a big one begins.
Except for trails that stay on the canyon floor, you will have a ledge to contend with.

But tell me this: If you walk along a sidewalk in a big city, how close are the passing cars? Also, I watch students at a local university walk among passing cars to cross the street! They are right there among them!!

You don't wander out into traffic do you? Why should you wander off of the trail when the bottom is 200 feet down?