New Year's Day Hike 2011

Last New Year's Day  we headed up the canyons at 6,000 feet for some sledding. This year it was off to our usual haunt, Zion National Park, for ringing in 2011.

On the west side of the tunnel, headed east:

Approaching the west entrance to the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel.

The tunnel is 1.1 miles long and was completed in 1930. Mr. Mamie always wants to drive through, whatever other plans we have in the park. Why? Well, because he is a direct descendant of the families that originally held title to the land that now comprises the west entrance and visitors' center of the park! A cousin (hi Lois!!!) told us recently that the steps to the homestead house are still visible, which we didn't know and are anxious to go check out).  Mr. Mamie's mother grew up in what is now the park. When we got married next to the Virgin River in the park, it was in a location that was in view of the fruit orchards planted my Mr. Mamie's ancestors. So, Zion is special to us not only because of it's amazing beauty and adventure, but because of Mr. Mamie's family ties!

Fun with the camera in the tunnel!

More camera-in-the-tunnel hijinks.

East side of the park, Canyon Overlook area:

A little stroll through a snowfield:

This is a little field that has a path down into a wash we we have hiked through several times before (summer and winter). Today it was too icy to make the drop down into the wash, so we had to stay up above.

 

Mr. Mamie is standing at the top of the path down into the wash. Too icy!

West side, up-canyon, at the Temple of Sinawava:
 

On the Riverwalk trail headed into The Narrows:
 

We mostly hung out and stomped around by the river. The trail was both icy and surprisingly busy - lots of Asian tourists and cars from California.  All in all,  a nice (though COLD!) day, and a good way to start 2011.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)