Wild Zion
This blog post is the fourth in my series of posts relating to new fine art prints I am introducing of Zion National Park with the theme Wild Zion: Celebrating out of the way and less traveled locations in the park. This one is from the far east side of Zion National Park. Beyond the Checkerboard actually came from a hike starting just outside the park and ending up on top of Checkerboard Mesa.
Morning in East Zion
It was an overcast morning in October when beginning the hike. The ground was moist, and dew drops adorned the fallen leaves of the scrub oaks. The air was brisk, and you could smell the sweet dew.
We planned a half loop hike where we would go up the cliffs outside the park to a ridgeline, hike into the park on the ridge, and finally go down a crevice back to the road at a different spot than where we started. To complete the loop, we parked one car at the end of the hike and the other at the start so we could drive back to the first car.
We started up the hill to the ridge line, passing Juniper trees on the way with brilliant blue Juniper berries showing off their nice color. After gaining a little elevation, the colorful cliffs on the other side of the valley came into view with a little bit of blue sky beginning to come out.
As we ascended the hill, it warmed up quickly. The trunk of a dead pine tree came into view with a very interesting tight spiral pattern with rich colors throughout.
On Top of the Ridge Line
We made it to the top of the ridge line. The already stunning views were now becoming breathtaking with the West and East Temples of Zion visible in the far distance. The clouds were opening a little bit more but still filled with lots of nice puffy clouds.
Soon we got the first view to the South of the ridge line showing extended mesas stretching out.
We continued on this ridge for several miles until we were nearly at the Checkerboard Mesa. There was a little saddle we had to cross to actually get to the Checkerboard Mesa. It was only around 50 feet down to the saddle and then back up 50 feet. One more obstacle but not that difficult.
It was in this saddle where Beyond the Checkerboard was photographed. (See further down for the actual photo and description of the view.)
In the meantime, we ascended the 50 feet to the top of Checkerboard Mesa and walked out to the far edge overlooking the valley. The views were spectacular from up here. Looking towards the East, we could see the valley extending off into the distance with a foreground of a spectacular dead tree sprawled out on the ground. On the right is the ridge line we crossed on the way to get here.
Looking towards the West, we now got a wonderful view of the peaks of Zion including the East Temple and further in the distance, the West Temple. Towards the bottom, the winding Zion-Mt Carmel Hwy makes its way through eastern Zion National Park. On the left is the next Mesa with the same kind of checkerboard pattern as the one we are on.
From here, we would go back to the saddle and then down a ridiculously steep crevice filled with dense forest and treacherous rocks. “Can we really get down from here?” we asked ourselves. Well, we did in fact get down and back to the car parked inside the park and shuttled back to pick up the other car outside the park.
Beyond the Checkerboard - The Fine Art Print
And now back to the saddle and the photograph. When crossing the saddle, the view to the South, the other side of the Checkerboard Mesa, took on a fascinating look. The backside of Checkerboard Mesa is on the right, while a different mesa is on the left. Above, the sky is filled with the beautiful puffy clouds that have been hanging around all day.
The fine art print below, is available for purchase here.
Why I love it. The left mesa gently curves into the distance with a cliff face of the yellow rock so prevalent at the highest elevations in Zion. This yellow layer is usually visible only from a distance and high above, but here it is right before us. The top of both mesas, as well as mid-level and the valley between, are covered with beautiful green foliage.
The layering of greens, yellows, whites, and reds, capped by the blue sky above with white puffy clouds creates a beautiful landscape stretching into the far distance of the Zion wilderness and beyond. The piece of dead wood in the foreground, branching into two limbs, echoes the cliff faces.
Note About This Hike
It should be noted that getting here requires a lot of off trail hiking. Off trail hiking is doable but can be dangerous if you are not prepared. For that reason, I do not share location information about off trail hikes.
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