USA :: Zion :: Emerald Pools |
|
Most scenic part of Emerald Pools Trail passing below impressive granite block with seasonal waterfall |
| Trip Summary | |||
November 16, 2023
Emerald Pools is scenic short day hike. It is good option for first day visit to Zion National Park and can be combined with other Day Destinations. Spring is best time of year as Water level will be higher from snow melt on West Rim and Waterfall(s) that are only a trickle later in the year will be flowing freely. Trip is best done mid to late morning as sun puts west side of Zion Gorge in shade early in the afternoon. Start can be either Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop #5) or Grotto (Shuttle Stop #6); both can be combined for undemanding and enjoyable loop. On my visit in Nov '23 Virgin River Bridge by Zion Lodge was closed for repairs (always check current conditions in Visitor Center before setting on a Hike!) so I hiked Kayenta Trail starting from Grotto Trailhead - same as for Angels Landing and West Rim) - then after visiting middle and upper Emerald Pools continued to Zion Lodge bridge and looped back via Lower Emerald Pool. This direction is probably best bang for your buck and it is the order how Gallery photos are presented. Just don't expect solitude; trail is super busy - second only to Angels Landing - and it appears most crowds congregate around Lower Emerald Pool, which is also the most scenic. |
|
Gallery |
|||
 Zion Shuttle
Grotto - Zion Shuttle Stop #6 - one of 2 possible Trailheads. Emerald Pools hike can start here or Zion Lodge (Shuttle Stop #5) |
|||
|
Trail map with Zion Shuttle Stops, from US National Parks Service page |
|||
|
West Rim and Angels Landing Junction after crossing Virgin River Bridge at Grotto Trailhead |
|||
 Zion Valley
View back to Virgin River corridor as Kayenta trail approaches Lower Emerald Pool Junction |
|||
|
|
|||
 Narrow Descent
Trail narrows just before the Junction |
|||
 Emerald Pools Junction
Signed Emerald Pools Junction; suggested direction is Middle / Upper Pool first, Zion Lodge loop, then Lower Pool on Return |
|||
 Third Emerald Pool
Upper Emerald Pool, also the largest, with Autumn Foliage. This photo was taken mid-afternoon; optimal timing is mid-morning |
|||
 Zion Cliffs
Impossibly High Zion Canyon Cliffs above Upper Emerald Pool |
|||
 Zion Lodge
Descending towards Zion Lodge - Shuttle Stop #5. This is alternate Emerald Pools Trailhead; on my visit Bridge (lower center right) was closed for repairs |
|||
|
Passing below waterfall draining Middle into Lower Pool - just a trickle in late Autumn |
|||
 Lower Emerald Pool
Lower Emerald Pool, merely a puddle in Autumn. Some people were swimming though |
Abstract
| Overall Difficulty | D2 | Some Rocky Sections between middle and upper Emerald Pool requiring occasional use of hands and good balance | |||
| Scenery | Three Emerald Pools and Seasonal Waterfall. Scenic Virgin River. Classic Zion Canyon Scenery | ||||
| Trail/Marking | Excellent | Official maintained Parks trail with Maps and Signed Junctions | |||
| Suggested Time | 2 hrs | Full loop with casual pace including breaks and photo-ops | |||
| Elevation | Start: 1200m Max: ~1350m Total: ~150m (estimate) | Round Trip: ~6km | |||
| Gear | Day Hikers should be sufficient. Poles helpful for stability on rocky section above middle Emerald Pool | ||||
| Water | Emerald Pools and Season Waterfall (needs filtering). Carry 0.5-1L, more in summer heat | ||||
| Dog Friendly | No | Dogs are allowed in Zion National Park, but must stay within 50m from road, picnic area or campgrounds and are prohibited on hiking trails | |||