The East Rim Trail begins on a steady climb through the White Cliffs
A long and complex history of sediment deposition, each with a distinct source, yields a wide range of density, mineral content, color and appearance in the rock
The trail runs along narrow ledges over deep slots in Echo Canyon near the Weeping Rock Trailhead
Though typically associated with inaccessible cliffs, it's not uncommon for Desert Bighorn Sheep to graze the grasslands of mesa tops
Spring flowers and lush grasslands top the mesa near Stave Spring
A long and complex history of sediment deposition, each with a distinct source, yields a wide range of density, mineral content, color and appearance in the rock
Ponderosa Pine roots drive deep into the soft Navajo sandstone, which contributes to erosion and reshaping of the landscape
Native peoples hunted mammoth, giant sloth and camel across southern Utah as recently as 12,000 years ago
After a challenging descent from the mesa top, travel clarifies on rough-pour to the Zion Canyon floor
Rugged undulations and frequent loss of clarity near the confluence of Echo and Zion Canyon
There are at least 16 lizard species and 13 snake species in Zion National Park
The Virgin River transports about one million tons of sediment every year through the canyon
Echo Canyon is a cluttered labyrinth of side canyons, washes and vertical promontories
The Virgin River drops 71' every mile and averages 100 cubic feet per second, a combination that exerts great force against soft sandstone
Once off the mesa top, cairns guide hikers through successive washes and segments of open slickrock
Lower Echo Canyon offers a welcome shady reprieve after many miles of exposed travel
Peregrine Falcons and California Condors have recently returned to Zion after years of extreme population loss
Pinyon - Ponderosa woodlands and grassy meadows atop the mesa support mule deer, turkey, coyote and mountain lion
Peering down the abyss of Jolley Gulch
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