Winter 2005/2006
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
National Park Service Park Planner U.S. Department of the Interior The offi cial planner of Zion National Park Zion Map & Guide Winter 2005/2006 What’s Inside Planning Your Winter Visit 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 often conditions and temperatures vary at diff erent elevations. in the 20s and 30s. Winter storms can last several days and cause Hiking . .3 roads to be icy. Be prepared for winter driving conditions from Fall days are usually clear and mild; nights are often cold. Fall color 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 wildfl ower bloom usually starts in April. snow to the canyon, but heavier snow to the higher elevations. Park Profi le . .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 fl exible and plan to turn Large Vehicle winter. The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is At the south entrance; across the river from back if trail conditions are unsafe or falling Restrictions . .8 open to private vehicles October 31 through Springdale. Exhibits and a three-dimen- ice is a hazard. March 31. The 2006 shuttle season is April 1 sional model of Zion Canyon help you through October 29. plan your visit and make the most of your Zion Canyon time. An animated computer simulation Trails usually have patchy snow, ice, or Visitor Center Hours October 31, 2005 - March 4, 2006 Zion Canyon Scenic Drive demonstrates the geologic processes that mud during winter and spring. Portions Zion Canyon 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 6 miles. Short drive along the canyon fl oor. created Zion Canyon. Rangers are available of several trails, including Emerald Pools, closed Dec. 25 Be prepared for hazardous driving condi- to answer questions and issue backcountry Weeping Rock, and Riverside Walk are haz- History Museum 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m tions during and after storms. Icy spots permits. Books, maps, and fi lm. ardous when icy and may be closed because closed Nov. 28– Mar. 3 remain through the winter. of ice falling from above. The Sand Bench Kolob Canyons 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Zion Human History Museum and Watchman Trails are usually snow free, closed Nov. 24 & Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway One-half mile north of the south entrance. but muddy in spots. Trails leading to higher Dec. 25 10 miles. Steep drive up switchbacks and Exhibits show how humans have infl u- elevations such as Observation Point, An- through tunnels to Checkerboard Mesa. enced, and been infl uenced by Zion. Ori- gels Landing, and Hidden Canyon are often March 5 - April 29, 2006 Zion Canyon 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. See large tunnel limitations on page 8. Be entation fi lm, information desk, and books. hazardous because of ice. History Museum 10 a.m. – 5 p.m prepared for hazardous driving conditions Closed November 28 through March 3. Kolob Canyons 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. during and after storms. Icy spots remain High Country all winter. Orientation Film West Rim, Wildcat Canyon, and all east Twenty-two minute fi lm highlights the side trails are covered with up to three feet Emergencies Call 911 or 772-3322 24 hours a day or Kolob Terrace Road features of the park. Shown by request daily of snow in winter and are icy or muddy contact a Park Ranger. 14 miles. Steep uphill drive with switchbacks on the hour and half hour in the Human in spring. Kolob Canyons trails are snow to the high country. Not recommended for History Museum. Shown in the Zion Can- covered most of the winter. long vehicles. The road is plowed for the yon Visitor Center November 28 through Lost and Found fi rst 14 miles north of Virgin, Utah. The rest March 3. Southwest Desert Items may be reported at any visitor of the road, including Lava Point, is closed Chinle Trail, Coalpits, and Huber Washes center. by snow. Kolob Canyons Visitor Center off er good hiking during dry weather and Off Interstate 15 at Exit 40, 45 miles north of are the most accessible for winter hiking 2006 Shuttle Season Kolob Canyons Springdale and 17 miles south of Cedar City. and backpacking. April 1-October 29 5 miles. Uphill scenic drive skirting the Exhibits explain the geology, plants, and Kolob fi nger canyons. The road is plowed, animals of the area. Rangers are available but may be temporarily closed during to answer questions and issue backcountry storms or plowing. permits. Books, maps, and fi lm. National Park Service This is Canyon Country U.S. Department of the Interior Zion National Park Steep Cliffs Flash Floods judgement, adequate preparation, and con- Trails can be covered with snow and ice in All narrow canyons are potentially hazard- stant attention. Don’t ruin your vacation winter. Loose sand or pebbles on stone are ous. Flash fl oods, often from storms miles by having an accident. Your safety is your Superintendent very slippery. Be careful of cliff edges when away, present a real danger and can be life responsibility. Jock Whitworth using cameras or binoculars. Never throw threatening. Flash fl oods 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, camp- •Parents-watch your children! Whether hiking, climbing, or driving, your grounds, and Zion Lodge. Do not drink Web Site safety depends on your own good 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 fl oods 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 Private Vehicle $20 per vehicle, good for 7 available outside the park. appropriate hardware and technical skills. is in Springdale, reduced winter hours, days in Zion National Park. $10 per vehicle Climbing information is available at visitor 772-3226. The nearest hospitals are in St. for Kolob Canyons section only. Fires centers. Climbing and rappelling is prohib- George, Cedar City, and Kanab. Individual $10 per person (pedestrian, Fires are permitted only in the fi re pits ited on the cliff s above Middle and Lower bicycle, motorcycle, and organized group), provided at campgrounds and some picnic Emerald Pools and Weeping Rock. Some Accessibility good for 7 days in Zion National Park. areas. Bring or purchase your fi rewood; routes may be closed to climbing when Restrooms, visitor centers, the museum, Zion Annual Pass $40, good for one year collecting wood is not permitted. Fires are Peregrine Falcons are nesting. A permit is and Zion Lodge are fully accessible. Several from date of purchase at Zion National not permitted in the backcountry at any required for overnight climbs. campsites are reserved for people with dis- Park only. time; use a stove to cook. abilities, and two trails are accessible. Commercial Tours Ask for rates. Horseback Riding Golden Age Passport $10 lifetime pass for Winter Sports Guided trips are available March through Pets U.S. residents 62 or older. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are October, 435 679-8665. For private stock Pets must be under physical control on a National Parks Pass $50, good for one year possible in the higher elevations of Zion use, contact a visitor center. leash no longer than six feet at all times. from date of purchase in all areas of the National Park and in nearby Cedar Breaks They are not allowed in the backcountry, National Park System. National Monument. For information on Watercraft on trails, or in public buildings. Pets may be Golden Eagle Passport $65, good for one routes, snow conditions, weather, and Watercraft designed and manufactured for walked on the Pa’rus Trail. Boarding ken- year from date of purchase in all federal fee safety, check at the visitor centers. Recre- whitewater use are allowed by permit when nels are available in Rockville, Hurricane, areas. ational snowmobiling is not permitted in the water level exceeds 140 cubic feet per Kanab, St. George, and Cedar City. Golden Access Passport Free lifetime pass the park. second. Inner tubes are not allowed. for U.S citizens with permanent disability. Do Not Feed The Animals Backpacking Food Service Wildlife are wild. Keep them that way by Camping Permits are required for all backcountry Zion Lodge Dining room serves breakfast, not feeding, touching, or getting close.