•This was an important plant for the prehistoric Indians of the Southwest.  The strong leaf fibers were used to make sandals, baskets, and rope.  The flowers and fruit were eaten and the root was used to make soap.

•There are Cottonwoods, Bigtooth maples,  Boxelder and Velvet ash trees along the trail.  The Canyon grape is a vine that grows on top of other trees for support and is abundant on this trail.  Although the fruit is edible, it has a poor flavor.   Many of the animals eat the fruit and people have used it to make jelly and wine.

•A contradiction in terms, this area occurs along the trail where trees provide continuous shade and spring water creates shallow pools among the tall grasses.  This is ideal habitat for amphibians, insects and birds.   The Leopard Frog, Canyon Tree frog, and Tiger Salamander can be found here during the warm months.  Woodpeckers and Brown Creepers are commonly seen here.  Scouring rush, Meadow horsetail, Cattails and Duckweed are a few of the plants found here.

•The Navajo Sandstone is extremely porous in nature allowing water from the top of the plateau to travel down through the rock.  When the water reaches a denser, less porous material such as the Kayenta Formation, it cannot continue its downward motion.  Instead, the water is forced to move horizontally and escapes along the sides of canyon walls at springs and seeps.  This area is known as the Zion “spring line” where hanging gardens grow.  The wet walls of the canyon allow algae and moss to grow.  Maidenhair fern are abundant, and flowers like Golden columbine and Shooting stars grow out of cracks in the wall.  The flowers attract insects and birds.  Black-chinned hummingbirds frequent this area when the flowers are in bloom.  The American Dipper nests in the rocky outcrops among the hanging flowers which offer camouflage.  This bird can be observed standing on the rocks in the river and diving under the water to get food. 

•According to geologists, during the last 15 million years the tiny Virgin River has been primarily responsible for the carving of Zion Canyon.  As sediment is carried from above, the river acts like liquid sandpaper cutting deeper into the canyon.  The canyon is 2000 feet deep and at times only 20-30 feet wide.

•The North Fork of the Virgin River watershed covers more than 350 square miles.  All the water from rain and snow that doesn’t soak into the ground eventually flows into the river.  A sudden thunderstorm or heavy spring snow melt can dump enormous amounts of water into the Virgin River, causing flash flooding.  

•The backcountry hike through the Zion Narrows ends here, at the end of the Riverside Walk.  The Zion Narrows, a 16 mile hike in the shadow of the canyons soaring walls and hanging gardens, can be an unforgettable wilderness experience.  However, this is not a trip to be underestimated.  There is no maintained trail.  Approximately 80% of the hike is spent wading, walking, and sometimes swimming in the river.  The current is swift, the water is cold, and the rocks underfoot are slippery.  Flash flooding and hypothermia can occur at anytime of the year.  Good planning, proper equipment, and sound judgment are essential for a safe and successful trip. Before going on any backcountry hike in Zion National Park, please review your plans and apply for a permit with a backcountry ranger at the Zion Canyon or Kolob Canyons Visitor Center. 

Rock Squirrel

Mother deer sometimes leave their fawns alone for short periods of time as they feed. As young fawns have no scent, they are safe from predators. If you observe a fawn by itself, it has probably not been abandoned. Leave the fawn alone, do not feed it, do not pet it, and do not try and catch it; its mother will return.