Hard core? Pshaw. Of course you are. You consistently pull up to camp at 1:00 a.m. because you were busy being awesome in the city, and got outta dodge as soon as you could pack up your super organized gear bins in the back of your Tacoma truck. Boom. Adventure number 34 of the year has commenced.
Zion is epic. You're epic. It's sorta the perfect match. Climbing, biking, running and slack-lining extravaganzas are in order.
*Note: adventure is for families. Bring yer teenagers who think nature is boring and prove them wrong. So wrong.
Mystery Canyon into the Virgin River Narrows, Zion National Park
Night One:
Travel: Thursday night arrival because you'll get a campsite before the other weekenders show up
Salt Lake City to Zion: 4 hours 23 minutes, 308 miles | Las Vegas to Zion: 2 hours 33 minutes, 160 miles
First things first: you need a permit. You can apply for an advance lottery permit here. Or you can take your chances with the last minute drawing application (taken between 2 days and 7 days in advance). Only 12 hikers allowed in each day.
Moonlight Buttress is one of Zion's most classic climbing destinations. Located on the left side of Zion Canyon just after Angels Landing, it has all the pretty views.
North Rim Trail on Gooseberry Mesa just west of Zion National Park, Utah
Are you tired? Heck no! Weekend Warriors gotta pack it in, amiright? Hopefully you were able to fit all your gear in your Tacoma truck — pro packing to the max. On your last day, you'll want to hit the trails at Gooseberry Mesa, just outside of Zion, to mix things up a bit.
Now you can plan to go back again and again doing the same rad activities in Ye Olde Zion National Park: