Zion Traverse - West to East

Zion Traverse 2015 (by cody)

I thought I would put a few thoughts down now that my hands have warmed up...

This year the crazy adventure I managed to drag the family to, was the Zion Traverse.  The Zion Traverse is 48 miles from one side of Zion National Park to the other.  In our case, we went West to East (plus added a mile to see the Kolob Arch, except it was in a cloud and we could hardly see it so it was a total waste, but I'm not bitter..).  West to East is arguably the harder direction due to a 2400 foot climb at mile 40.  The weather definitely made it harder this year (I did it East to West back 2 years ago).

Enough of the monologue.  Jump straight to the pictures (all these photo's by Cody).  Actually, you might want to watch this sweet video Mike made of our day.

Early in the run (Kolob Canyon)

Notice Mike is smiling early on....

My phone got too wet and took a few hours to dry out.

West rim trail about 20 miles and quite a while later....

Starting to show some fatigue...

I love this tunnel of trees...

Wimmer tree (named after a friend Kendall Wimmer)

He likes dead trees or something.

We ran through all kinds of areas...

Clouds finally parted and we could see some views!

Now he's having fun!

West rim trail

Las Vistas!!

We even ran a mile on the road (not by choice)

Yep, this is the trail (East Rim trail)

Looking back at East Rim Trail

The Homestretch!!

Oh man, there is so much we could write about.

The Snow, the rain, and the mud.  Beth trying not to get the car stuck in the mud, Me helping with Erik's zipper (don't ask).  Mike killing himself on the East Rim Trail then promptly running out of energy and was forced to suffer to the end still an hour or more away.  Mike getting chewed out by a hiker for running on the trail (while Erik and I quickly abandoned him running away).  

Good times...

We will be back!

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