Zion National Park: Driving along the Canyons

Zion National Park: Driving along the Canyons

By Armando Ortiz

The word Zion is imbued with a sense of sacredness, like a land set aside for divine reasons and Zion National Park lives up to its divine name. Visiting a national park one can expect to be in awe of nature's beauty and a visit to this park goes beyond that expectation. Driving through the canyons of Zion National Park became an unforgettable experience. Entering the park and driving through the canyon took me through an array of memories. At one point I saw things from films I saw in my childhood, and at other times I was reminded of the ancient artifacts that I’ve seen in museums. At other times it seemed that the canyons contained all the images I'd come across up to that point in my life. I’ll briefly attempt to describe my experience.

As you drive the mind begins to work magic and things that probably aren’t there begin to emerge. No matter the time of day, the wonder of this park will have a visual impact. Driving along the edges of the park’s canyon, the majesty and greenery that contrasts with the reds and oranges begin to change. It's as if the sun's movement creates a prism of rich oranges. One begins to wonder if the mind is playing tricks on what we see. After a while, the walls turn into giant sphinxes, towers that inspired the great wall. As if Waldo all of a sudden began appearing in places you thought couldn’t. Except what we are looking at isn’t a book.

As you curve around the edge you see glimpses of petrified orange cream popsicles. This canyon is a geologic wonder veiled in mystery and every eye has its own interpretation. Everyone captures a unique angle of light and reflection Other points look like former Apache lookout posts weathered by the sun. One begins to wonder what the ancient people saw within these walls. Maybe what we see at a distance are abandoned Pioneer forts and homesteads of sandstone slabs. Possibly these canyons were carved out by extraterrestrials and these slabs are a sarcophagus of extinct giants. Coming down on a full moon and carving their wonder. These walls also tap into your own memories. You see a Darth Vader memorial frieze forever imprinted on a canyon relief. The drive becomes a meditating experience where you focus on the road, but let the mind's eye discover these mirages. Along or with others the drive becomes a unique individual experience.

As you continue winding up the canyon there is a bridge being carved away by time’s weathering seasons- completion dates unknown. The sun creates a shadow at the bottom of the canyon. I stopped the car and we got off. Cottonwood shrubs were protecting a creek. Ground squirrels scurrying for cover get your attention. Along the cliffs, at a distance you notice eroded Babylonian griffins, specks to the thunderbird faces one sees stamped on tops of layer mesas. One is reminded of all those museum visits one has taken. It's as if one undergoes a review of all that one has seen.

You pull aside, park your car to take a break, and step out to walk a bit and you see the images of wild horses galloping across plateaus carved on the cliff sides. You might identify other images and discover other carvings. Our mind becomes the hands that discover these mirages. The heat at times becomes overwhelming and you take a drink of water. Water intake becomes important. Nearby, in between the clay layered slots, remnants of spaceships that crashed on the sides of the towers can be glimpsed. These canyons are home to a multitude of animals we probably won't see under the midday sun. Deer emerge later in the day along with smaller mammals. Dragonflies cross your path reminding you that at the bottom of the canyon runs water.

Zion National Park is a place imbued with sacredness. It's a special place that will leave you wondering how something so beautiful could be nature's work. The park’s ease of access allows you to explore its canyons and drive through the park and stop along the way. The vistas here are magical and at times make you have a deep sense of spiritual connection to the land. It's a visit that you will remember for the rest of your life.