The Watchman, Zion National Park

18 October 2012

I was in the mood for an easy hike so I thought I would try The Watchman again. The Watchman was the very first hike I ever went on in Zion National Park about 15 years ago. I had forgotten a little what it was like, so I thought I better make it's acquaintance again.

Liz and I got to Zion National Park about 11:00, got our passports stamped and got on our way about 11:15. The trail head starts just across the bridge that leads to parking and the visitor's center, and is signed from the road. We parked in the dirt parking lot because the trail runs along the west side of it which makes it easier to access.

After just a quarter of a mile, the trail crosses a service road and starts the ascent to get to the look out point. The trail is extremely well maintained and is easy to follow, much of it covering man made stairs and flattened ground. In fact, we passed 6 park rangers maintaining the trail on our way up.

As the trail ascends, it follows the north side of a side canyon, until it wraps around to the south side and continues up to the look out point. We spent a few minutes at the top taking in the beauty and getting a neat birds eye view of the layout of the visitors center, movie theater, museum, and lodging for the National Park staff. It is really the best view of the layout from above of any of the hikes I've been on in the park.

We made it back down to the car at 12:45 after 3.13 miles. (The trail head sign indicates that the round trip hike is 2.7 miles, but my GPS registered it being a little longer). There was a total elevation gain of just over 400 feet. This is a great family hike as it is not very difficult. Although the morning was cool when we started, by the time we finished, it was warmish. The hike is completely exposed to the sun so bring lots of water if hiking it in the summer. 

Looking up canyon. Foreground: Staff Lodging. Background: Zion History Museum

Looking down canyon. On the left: Dirt parking area where the trail starts off to the far side, and where I parked. Background: The movie theater. And in the trees in the middle is the Visitor's Center.

Liz looking out over Zion Canyon

Me with Springdale in the background