Hi - someone on this forum was talking about a hike to Observation Point that sounded good for kids, and now I can't find it again. any ideas?

The hike from the East Rim to Observation Point is quite spectacular, but it is pretty long (about 14 miles), and at times steep. Great for young teenagers, but not little kids. Here is a Web link with more info:
http://www.onedayhikes.com/Hikes.asp?HikesID=18

NPS rates this as a strenuous hike; it does have some climbs. I did see families climbing it- probably older kids would enjoy it more, since it's a longer hike. The key is to start early in the a.m.- the sun exposures as you swing around the mountain can make it quite hot. Hats, water and sunscreen are a must. The view from the top, IMO, is just as good as Angels Landing, and there's more of a level area for a gathering of people.

Hi Lost! You may be thinking of the Canyon Overlook trail. It's moderate, but with a couple spots where you would definitely need to watch your step.

The trailhead is located just beyond the tunnel, if traveling east up out of Zion Canyon. I can't remember if it's a mile or a 1/2 mi. one way. Not hard anyway & nice view at the end.

Here is a link to the Offical web site for hikes in Zion Natinal Park.

http://www.nps.gov/zion/activities/dayhiking.htm

Hope that helps.

Utahtea

Many thanks to all of you. We have two half days and one full day at Zion. My husband is a little afraid of heights, so I was thinking going to Angels Landing (but not all the way up) ie stopping at Scouts Point or Overlook or whatever it is called. Is there a way to continue on from there without going across the ridge to the "Landing"? For one of the half days, I had thought the short version of Observation Point would be good, but the full hike sounds too long. Maybe the Canyon Overlook instead. Any recommendations for a good third hike for the last morning (with probably pretty tired legs at that point)?

Once you arrive at Scout Lookout, it's just a short walk before you cross the north ridge of the Landing- very steep dropoffs. You'll get a very good view of things from Scout Lookout. Hey, it's a workout just doing Walter's Wiggles (a series of cutbacks) before you get to the Lookout! For your last day of hikes, be sure to do the lower & middle Emerald Pools- lower pools is rated easy, middle is moderate, but both offer some pretty views. Also the Riverside Walk is a nice stroll- you need to dip your toe in the river even if you don't plan to hike the Narrows. As for an alternate to Observation hike, take a look at Watchman, rated moderate. PLEASE do this hike early in the a.m. because the sun/rock exposure can be a cooker. Again, hats, water, and sunscreen, and you'll be fine. Enjoy your trip- Zion is good for what ails.

Lost, the little points of interest hikes all through the canyon can easily take a full day. One of the best is the Riverwalk trail. It's at the end of the canyon, usually has lots of wildflowers in the "hanging gardens" off the rock walls & is an easy flat mile.

I was in Zion in early April. Southern Utah is having the worst dought on record! The Emerald Pools are usually very pretty & have waterfalls. In April they were only small puddles & a mere trickle instead of a waterfall.

The other night on the news, park rangers said the Virgin River was running at about 30 c.f./second - when last year at this time it was 270 c.f./second.

Wildflowers may be in short supply this year, but Zion is still awesome!

Happy trails!

Hi - thanks you guys for the advice. I'm still a little unclear on the Angels Landing walk. Is this a "loop" walk or an out and back? I've looked at some pictures, and it looks amazing, but my husband will NOT want to do the spur ridge out to the landing. Can we continue on to finish the trail from Scouts Lookout without having to go across the ridge?

(I've heard the drought is terrible all over the western US (I live in Europe now). I'll do a rain dance while in Zion on the Riverside Walk!)

Lost, Angels Landing is an out and back, not a loop. You start the hike from the Grotto Picnic area. The trail ascends along paved switchbacks, then you reach the gorge of Refrigerator Canyon. More switchbacks, then it's Walter's Wiggles, the granddaddy of switchbacks. At mile 1.9, you're at Scout Lookout, which allows a great view of Zion Canyon (and has trailside toilets- nice feature.) It's another half-mile from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing, the terminus of the trail. You'll go back the way you came. Safe travels to you.

Thanks to you all for the good info and rec's. Once again, Fodors Forum rules!

Lost~

Once you get to Scout Lookout, you can either turn right to go to Angel's Landing or continue on the same trail to the left. We didn't feel comfortable with AL, so we continued for about another hour or so on the "safer" trail which also gave us some great views and it switched higher. Eventually, you will have to turn around and return the same way. Have fun.