Returning to Zion: This Time With My Son
We are going back to Zion! Every summer, my son Nick and I take a trip together, just the two of us. What started as a simple way to carve out time together has quietly become one of my favorite traditions. Life gets busy, schedules fill up, and these trips give us a chance to step away from all of it and just be together.
This year feels a little different. Nick just finished his freshman year of college, which somehow makes this trip feel even more meaningful — a pause between stages, a chance to reconnect before life speeds up again.
Also, the destination wasn’t my idea. After seeing my photos from Zion National Park and hearing me talk about it long after I got home last October, he finally asked: “Do you think we could go there this summer?”
I’ll admit, I briefly tried to redirect. I even suggested Normandy. Somewhere new for him, especially since he loves history, and a place I’d happily return to myself. But Nick had one requirement: a direct flight. And, if I’m being honest, he may have also called me out on my ability to turn just about any trip into a reason to go back to Paris.
In the end, Zion won.
A Little Life Update
Life has been busy lately, and the blog has been quiet, but in a good way.
In between planning this trip and everything else going on, I also took my first wine class and passed the WSET Level 1 Certification. It reminded me how much I love learning about food and drink, and how much that passion connects to the way I travel. I’m not exactly sure where it will lead, but for now, I’m having fun with it.
I’m planning to jump into Level 2 after this trip, knowing that Level 3 will take more time and intention. That will be something I’ll likely work towards early next year.
And now, it’s time to get back out there.
Going Back With a Different Perspective
The first time I visited Zion, I wasn’t prepared for how much it would stay with me.
The scale of the canyon. The quiet. The feeling of standing somewhere ancient….It’s one of those places that lingers.
This time will be different. Not just because I’ve been there before, but because I get to experience it again through Nick’s eyes.
The Narrows, Round Two
One thing that’s non-negotiable is returning to The Narrows. We already have a day earmarked and our gear reserved.
If you’ve never heard of it, this isn’t your typical hike. You’re walking in the Virgin River, surrounded by towering canyon walls.
When I hiked it last October, the water looked more like chocolate milk than the clear river you see in photos. Recent rain had stirred everything up, turning it into a muddy, fast-moving current. It was still incredible!
But this time, I’m hoping Nick gets to see it a little differently. With any luck, we’ll have a stretch of clear weather leading up to our hike, which helps keep the water clearer. I’ll also be watching the Virgin River flow rate, since conditions can change quickly with snowmelt and rain.
The Narrows is one of those experiences where the river, not your plans, ultimately decides.
A Mix of Old Favorites and New Adventures
While I don’t travel with a rigid itinerary, we do have a loose plan. Certainly a mix of returning to a few favorite spots and adding some new ones. Like most trips, it’s all subject to change depending on weather, energy, and whatever we discover along the way.
We’ll revisit Emerald Pools, hopefully going farther than I did last time, especially if rain brings the waterfalls back to life.
This trip we’re also adding a few new hikes, including Canyon Overlook and the Many Pools Trail, both just outside the main park area. I’m excited to explore a different side of Zion beyond what I experienced before.
We’re also planning to head back to Bryce Canyon, which feels completely different from Zion but just as unforgettable.
Another new addition is the Red Reef Trail, and I’m especially looking forward to hiking the Watchman Trail at sunset. This is something I didn’t get to do last time, as the weather didn’t cooperate.
And finally, there’s Kolob Canyon. I skipped hiking there on my last trip because it’s more remote and I was traveling solo. This time feels different. With Nick there, it feels like the right opportunity to finally explore it, and it’s just a quick detour off I-15 on our way back to Salt Lake City for our flight home.
Letting the Experience Unfold
If there’s one thing Zion taught me the first time, it’s that plans in a place like this are often just suggestions.
Weather changes.
River conditions shift.
Some trails may not happen at all.
And honestly, that’s part of the beauty of it. We’ll go in with a plan, but leave room for the moments we never could have scheduled.
Our (Flexible) Plan for the Week
- Sunday: Arrival, groceries, settle in
- Monday: The Narrows + UTV
- Tuesday: Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock
- Wednesday: Canyon Overlook, Many Pools Trail
- Thursday: Bryce Canyon
- Friday: Red Reef Trail, Watchman at sunset
- Saturday: Kolob Canyon (on the way out)
Coming Next
When we get back, I’ll be sharing more from the trip, including where we stayed, what worked (and what didn’t), and the new restaurants we discover along the way.
Because as much as this trip is about the hikes and the views, it’s also about the full experience. From where you stay to what you eat (and drink) after a long day on the trail.