Winter 2004/2005
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Park Planner National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior The official planner of Zion National Park Zion Map & Guide Winter 2004/2005 Planning Your Winter Visit What’s Inside Information and Services . .2 BE PREPARED FOR A WIDE RANGE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. SNOW Clear days may become quite warm, reaching 60°F; nights are conditions and temperatures vary at different elevations. often in the 20s and 30s. Winter storms can last several days and Hiking . .3 cause roads to be icy. Be prepared for winter driving conditions Fall days are usually clear and mild; nights are often cold. Fall color from November through March. Weather . .3 displays begin in September in the high country and peak in Zion Canyon by late October. Spring is unpredictable. Stormy, wet days are common, but warm, Maps & Trail sunny weather may also occur. Precipitation peaks in March. The Guide . 4-5 Winters in Zion Canyon are fairly mild. Storms bring rain or light spring wildflower bloom usually starts in April. snow to the canyon, but heavier snow to the higher elevations. Park Profile . .6 Zion Canyon Field Making The Most of Your Time Institute Classes . .7 Tunnel Information. .8 Drives Visitor Centers Winter Hiking The shuttle system does not operate in Zion Canyon Visitor Center Hikers should be flexible and plan to turn Large Vehicle winter. It will begin again in April. The Zion At the south entrance; across the river back if trail conditions are unsafe or falling Restrictions . .8 Canyon Scenic Drive is open to private from Springdale. Exhibits and a three- ice is a hazard. vehicles November 1 through March 23. dimensional model of Zion Canyon help you plan your visit and make the most of Zion Canyon Zion Canyon Scenic Drive your time. An animated computer simula- Trails usually have patchy snow, ice, or Visitor Center Hours 6 miles. Short drive along the canyon floor. tion demonstrates the geologic processes mud during winter and spring. Portions of November 1, 2004 - March 5, 2005 Be prepared for hazardous driving that created Zion Canyon. Rangers are several trails, including Emerald Pools, Zion Canyon 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. conditions during and after storms. Icy available to answer questions and issue Weeping Rock, and Riverside Walk are closed Dec. 25 History Museum 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m spots remain through the winter. backcountry permits. Books, maps, and hazardous when icy and may be closed closed Dec. 25 film are available. because of ice falling from above. The Sand Kolob Canyons 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway Bench and Watchman Trails are usually closed Nov. 24 & 10 miles. Steep drive up switchbacks and Zion Human History Museum snow free, but muddy in spots. Trails Dec. 25 through tunnels to Checkerboard Mesa. One-half mile north of the south entrance. leading to higher elevations such as See large tunnel limitations on page 8. Be Exhibits show how humans have influ- Observation Point, Angels Landing, and March 6 - April 16, 2005 prepared for hazardous driving conditions enced, and been influenced by Zion. Hidden Canyon are often hazardous Zion Canyon 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. during and after storms. Icy spots remain Orientation film, information desk, and because of ice. History Museum 8 a.m. – 5 p.m all winter. books available. Kolob Canyons 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. High Country Kolob Terrace Road Orientation Film West Rim, Wildcat Canyon, and all east Emergencies 14 miles. Steep uphill drive with Twenty-two minute film highlights the side trails are covered with up to three feet Call 911 or 772-3322 24 hours a day or switchbacks to the high country. Not features of the park. Shown by request of snow in winter and are icy or muddy in contact a Park Ranger. recommended for long vehicles. The road daily 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the hour and spring. Kolob Canyons trails are snow is plowed for the first 14 miles north of half hour in the Human History Museum. covered most of the winter. Lost and Found Virgin, Utah. The rest of the road, includ- Items may be reported at any visitor ing Lava Point, is closed by snow. Kolob Canyons Visitor Center Southwest Desert center. Off Interstate 15 at Exit 40, 45 miles north Chinle Trail, Coalpits, and Huber Washes Kolob Canyons of Springdale and 17 miles south of Cedar offer good hiking during dry weather and 5 miles. Uphill scenic drive skirting the City. Exhibits explain the geology, plants, are the most accessible for winter hiking Kolob finger canyons. The road is plowed, and animals of the area. Rangers are and backpacking. but may be temporarily closed during available to answer questions and issue storms or plowing. backcountry permits. Books, maps, and film are available. National Park Service This is Canyon Country U.S. Department of the Interior Zion National Park Steep Cliffs Flash Floods judgement, adequate preparation, and Trails can be covered with snow and ice in All narrow canyons are potentially hazard- constant attention. Don’t ruin your winter. Loose sand or pebbles on stone are ous. Flash floods, often from storms miles vacation by having an accident. Your safety Superintendent very slippery. Be careful of cliff edges when away, present a real danger and can be life is your responsibility. Jock Whitworth using cameras or binoculars. Never throw threatening. Flash floods can occur at any or roll rocks; there may be hikers below. time of day or year. By entering a narrow Water Mailing Address •Stay on the trail. canyon, you are assuming a risk. The desert is dry, even in winter. Carry Zion National Park •Stay back from cliff edges. enough water for everyone in your group. Springdale, Utah 84767 •Observe posted warnings. Judgement Water is available at visitor centers, •Parents-watch your children! Whether hiking, climbing, or driving, your campgrounds, and Zion Lodge. Do not Web Site safety depends on your own good drink untreated water. www.nps.gov/zion Park Headquarters 435 772-3256 Fax 435 772-3426 E-mail [email protected] For Employment with the National Park Service: www.usajobs.opm.gov. Annete Werderich Seasonal jobs: www.sep.nps.gov. This symbol is a warning. Falls from cliffs on these Flash floods occur without warning. This one was in It happened in seconds. A hiker would not survive. trails have resulted in death. North Creek, July 25 2002. Information and Services Emergencies Entrance Fees Other Campgrounds Private camp- Climbing For 24-hour emergency response, call 772- All passes available at entrance stations. grounds with showers and hookups are Climbing on Zion’s sandstone requires 3322 or 911. Zion Canyon Medical Clinic is Private Vehicle $20 per vehicle, good for 7 available outside the park. appropriate hardware and technical skills. in Springdale, reduced winter hours, 772- days in Zion National Park. $10 per vehicle Climbing information is available at visitor 3226. The nearest hospitals are in St. for Kolob Canyons section only. Fires centers. Climbing and rappelling is George, Cedar City, and Kanab. Individual $10 per person (pedestrian, Fires are permitted only in the fire pits prohibited on the cliffs above Middle and bicycle, motorcycle, and organized group), provided at campgrounds and some picnic Lower Emerald Pools and Weeping Rock. Accessibility good for 7 days in Zion National Park. areas. Bring or purchase your firewood; Some routes may be closed to climbing Restrooms, visitor centers, the museum, Zion Annual Pass $40, good for one year collecting wood is not permitted. Fires are when Peregrine Falcons are nesting. A and Zion Lodge are fully accessible. from date of purchase at Zion National not permitted in the backcountry at any permit is required for overnight climbs. Several campsites are reserved for people Park only. time; use a stove to cook. with disabilities, and two trails are acces- Commercial Tours Ask for rates. Horseback Riding sible. Golden Age Passport $10 lifetime pass for Winter Sports Guided trips are available March through U.S. residents 62 or older. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are October, (435) 679-8665. For private stock Pets National Parks Pass $50, good for one possible in the higher elevations of Zion use, contact a visitor center. Pets must be under physical control on a year from date of purchase in all areas of National Park and in nearby Cedar Breaks leash no longer than six feet at all times. the National Park System. National Monument. For information on Watercraft They are not allowed in the backcountry, Golden Eagle Passport $65, good for one routes, snow conditions, weather, and Watercraft designed and manufactured for on trails, or in public buildings. Pets may be year from date of purchase in all federal safety, check at the visitor centers. whitewater use are allowed by permit when walked on the Pa’rus Trail. Boarding fee areas. Recreational snowmobiling is not permit- the water level exceeds 140 cubic feet per kennels are available in Rockville, Hurri- Golden Access Passport Free lifetime pass ted in the park. second. Inner tubes are not allowed. cane, Kanab, St. George, and Cedar City. for U.S citizens with permanent disability. Backpacking Food Service Do Not Feed The Animals Camping Permits are required for all backcountry Zion Lodge Dining room serves breakfast, Wildlife are wild. Keep them that way by Watchman and South Campgrounds camping and are based on group size. 1-2 lunch, and dinner. Dinner reservations are not feeding, touching, or getting close. Near the south entrance to the park. people:$10, 3-6 people: $15, 7-12 people: advised: (435) 772-3213.