Travel/POI: Zion National Park (錫安國家公園), Utah - Introductions, Court of the Patriarchs, Riverside Walk, Narrows

Zion National Park is located in southwestern Utah, near the town of Springdale. Zion, the oldest of Utah’s five national parks, was named after an ancient Hebrew word meaning “fortification,” “refuge,” or “sanctuary.”

How did the name of Zion National Park come about?

Human habitation of the area began about 8,000 years ago with small family groups of Native Americans, who had moved away by around 1300. Mormon missionaries from Salt Lake City arrived in the area in 1858 and settled there in the early 1860s.

In 1863, Isaac Behunin built a one-room cabin near the current site of Zion Lodge and began farming tobacco, sugar cane, and fruit. It was Behunin who named the canyon “Zion,” saying, “These great mountains are natural temples of God. We can worship here as well as in the man-made temples at Zion, the biblical heavenly ‘City of God.’”

In 1909, President William Howard Taft designated the area as Mukuntuweap National Monument in order to protect the canyon. In tribute to local Hopi legend, Methodist minister Frederick Vining Fisher named several sandstone mountains and rock formations—such as Altar of Sacrifice, The Great White Throne, and Angels Landing—during his visit in 1916.

In 1918, Horace Albright, the acting director of the newly created National Park Service, drafted a proposal to enlarge the existing monument and rename it Zion National Monument, adopting a term familiar to the Mormon community.

According to historian Hal Rothman: “The name change played to a prevalent bias of the time. Many believed that Spanish and Indian names would deter visitors who, if they could not pronounce the name of a place, might not bother to visit it.”

On November 19, 1919, Congress redesignated the monument as Zion National Park, and the act was signed by President Woodrow Wilson.

錫安國家公園位於猶他州西南部，靠近斯普林代爾鎮 (Springdale)。錫安國家公園是猶他州五個國家公園中最早的一個公園，以古希伯來語單字命名，意思是「防禦工事」、「避難所」、「聖殿」。

錫安國家公園的名字是怎麼來的呢？

這地區大概在 8,000 年前就有人居住，當時美洲原住民的小家庭們群居於此，之後於 1300 年遷離。1858 年來自鹽湖城的摩門教傳教士來到這地區，1860 年代初定居於此。

1863 年艾薩克·貝胡寧 (Isaac Behunin) 在錫安小屋 (Zion Lodge) 現址附近建造了一間單間的小屋，並開始種植菸草、甘蔗和水果。貝胡寧將峽谷命名為錫安，他說：「這些偉大的山脈是上帝的天然聖殿，我們可以在這裡敬拜，也可以在聖經中有神聖「上帝之城」之稱的錫安所在的人造聖殿中敬拜。”

1909 年威廉·塔夫脫總統將這一地區命名為米鄺杜域 (Mukuntuweap) 國家紀念碑，以保護峽谷。為了向當地霍皮人 (Hopi) 的傳奇故事表示敬意，衛理公會部長 Frederick Vining Fisher 於 1916 年訪問這地區時，也將一些砂岩山和岩層命名為祭壇 (Altar of Sacrifice)、白色大寶座 (The Great White Throne) 和天使降臨之頂 (Angels Landing)。

1918 年新成立的國家公園管理局代理局長霍勒斯·奧爾布賴特（Horace Albright）起草了一份提案，擴大現有紀念碑地區，並將公園更名為錫安國家紀念碑（Zion National Monument），「錫安」是摩門教徒的用詞。

歷史學家哈爾·羅斯曼(Hal Rothman) 說：「更改次地區的名稱是迎合了當時普遍的偏見。許多人認為，西班牙和印第安的名字會阻擋了遊客，因為如果他們無法說出某個地方的名字，他們可能就不會想去參觀”。

1919 年 11 月 19 日，國會將這座紀念碑重新命名為錫安國家公園，這個法案由威爾遜 (Woodrow Wilson) 總統簽署。

Left to Right: The West Temple, The Sundial, The Witch Head, Altar of Sacrifice

Zion National Park could be called a heaven on Earth. Formed by millions of years of erosion, its exceptional rock formations, plethora of backcountry trails, and unique wildlife beckon those seeking solitude and inspiration. It is also a hiker’s and photographer’s dream — the stunning sandstone canyons of the park, painted in natural hues of pink, red, and tan, stretch up to 2,000 feet at their tallest point.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the park, such as taking a scenic drive for breathtaking panoramic views, backpacking, birding, camping, hiking, and horseback riding.

In 2023, we decided to start our adventure with The Narrows, the narrowest section of Zion Canyon.

So, how do you get to the Narrows?

We first drove to the Zion Visitor Center and took the shuttle bus, as Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible by shuttle. It's best to arrive at the Visitor Center very early in the morning; otherwise, you might not find free parking. We arrived at 9:00 a.m. and had to park outside the park for $40/day.

Alternatively, you can park in Springdale and ride the free Zion Canyon Shuttle System to enter through the pedestrian entrance.

There are a total of 9 stops on the Zion Canyon Line. We got off at the ninth stop, the Temple of Sinawava, and then walked 0.9 miles along the Riverside Walk to reach the Narrows.

錫安國家公園堪稱人間天堂。經過數百萬年的侵蝕、風化、腐蝕而形成，有其奇特的岩層、無數人迹罕至的步道和獨特的野生動物，吸引那些尋求獨處和靈感的人。這裏也是健行者和攝影師的夢想之地——公園裡令人驚嘆的砂岩峽谷，被粉紅色、紅色和棕褐色的自然色調所籠罩，最高處高達 2000 英尺。

遊覽公園的方式有很多種，例如沿著風景優美的車道開車欣賞令人驚嘆的全景、背包旅行、觀鳥、露營、健行和騎馬。

2023年，我們決定從錫安峽谷最窄的地段－狹窄峽谷（The Narrows）開啟我們的探險之旅。

那麼，如何到達狹窄峽谷呢？

我們先開車到錫安遊客中心，然後搭乘接駁車，因為錫安峽谷風景道只能搭乘接駁車才能到達。最好一大早就到遊客中心，否則可能找不到免費停車位。我們早上 9 點到，只好到園外停 $40 一天的車位。

或者，您可以將車停在斯普林代爾 (Springdale)，然後搭乘免費的錫安峽谷接駁車從行人入口進入。

錫安峽谷線一共有 9 個站，我們在第九站西納瓦瓦神廟 (Temple of Sinawava) 下車，然後沿著河濱步道（Riverside Walk）走 0.9 英里到達狹窄峽谷的起點。

Zion National Park Visitor Center 錫安遊客中心

First, follow me on the shuttle bus to see what Zion National Park looks like! We boarded the shuttle at the Zion National Park Visitor Center. Scenic spots and walking trails are available at each stop. The ride from the visitor center to the final stop at the end of Zion Canyon takes about 40 minutes.

From the Visitor Center, you can find the Pa’rus Trail trailhead. "Pa’rus" is Paiute for “bubbling water.” This 1.7-mile one-way trail follows the Virgin River and offers some of the best views of The Watchman. This easy, leisurely stroll is the only trail in Zion open to bicycles and pets, and it is also one of the few wheelchair-accessible trails in the park. The trail can also be accessed from the Zion Human History Museum (shuttle stop #2) and Canyon Junction (shuttle stop #3).

The Watchman Trail is also accessible from the Visitor Center. This is a moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike with a 300-foot elevation gain leading to a scenic viewpoint.

首先，跟我一起坐上接駁車，看看錫安國家公園的樣貌吧！我們在錫安國家公園遊客中心登上了接駁車。每一站都有景點和步道。從遊客中心到錫安峽谷盡頭的最後一站大約需要 40 分鐘。

從遊客中心出發，可以到 Pa’rus 步道的起點。 「Pa’rus」在派尤特語中意為「汩汩流水」。這條單程 1.7 英里長的步道沿著維琴河而建，沿途可欣賞到守望者 (Watchman) 的絕佳景色。這條輕鬆悠閒的步道是錫安唯一一條允許自行車和寵物通行的步道，也是園區內少數幾條可供輪椅通行的步道之一。它也可以從錫安人類歷史博物館（2 號班車站）和峽谷樞紐（3 號班車站）前往這條步道。

從遊客中心也可到守望者步道 (Watchman Trail)。這條步道往返 3 英里，中度難度的步道，海拔增益 300英尺，最終可到達一個風景優美的觀景點。

Photo Date: 2023.09.19
Visitor Center
Bridge Mountain
The Watchman in the background
The West Temple

Zion Human History Museum 錫安人類歷史博物館

The second stop: Zion Human History Museum. This museum highlights artifacts from the Southern Paiute, Puebloan, and Mormon pioneers who lived in the area that is now Zion National Park. The exhibits showcase the region’s rich human history and illustrate the impact water has had on both the people and the landscape. (This photo was taken while riding the shuttle bus.)

第二站：錫安人類歷史博物館。多年來居住在這個國家公園地區的南派尤特人 (Southern Paiute) 、普韋布洛人 (Puebloan) 和摩門教先驅者 (Mormon Pioneers) 的文物是這裡的亮點。這些展品展示了這地區豐富的人類歷史，並說明了水對當地人民和這地區的影響。(照片是乘坐接駁車時照的。)

Photo Date: 2023.09.19
L-R: Beehives Peaks, The Sentinel
The Sentinel on the left
L-R: The West Temple, The Sundial, The Witch Head, Altar of Sacrifice, Meridian Tower

Canyon Junction 峽谷交口

The third stop: Canyon Junction — this is where the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive meet. I don’t have any photos from this spot.

第三站：峽谷交口是錫安-卡梅爾山公路和錫安峽谷風景走廊的交會處。我沒有這個點的照片。

Court of the Patriarchs 三聖石

The fourth stop: Court of the Patriarchs — this is a grouping of sandstone cliffs. The three peaks were named after the biblical figures Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by a Methodist minister, Dr. Frederick Vining Fisher, along with two local boys from Southern Utah, in 1916.

The Court of the Patriarchs features the shortest trail in Zion National Park — a 0.2-mile out-and-back hike. Although short, the trail is steep, with a 29-foot elevation gain. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy excellent views of The Sentinel and Mount Moroni. (This photo was taken while riding the shuttle bus.)

第四站：三聖石是一組砂岩峭壁。1916 年衛理公會牧師 Frederick Vining Fischer 博士和兩名來自猶他州南部的男孩以聖經人物亞伯拉罕、以撒和雅各的名字命名了這三座山峰。

它被認為是錫安國家公園最短的步道（往返 0.2 英里），但步道很陡 (海拔增益 29 英尺)。在這裏可以欣賞哨兵山 (Sentinel) 和莫羅尼山 (Mount Moroni) 的美景。(照片是乘坐接駁車時照的。)

Photo Date: 2023.09.19
L-R: Abraham, Isaac, Mount Moroni, Jacob
The Sentinel
L-R: The Sentinel, Abraham, Isaac
Mount Moroni
L-R: The Sentinel, Abraham, Isaac, Mount Moroni
L-R: The Sentinel, Abraham, Isaac
L-R: The Sentinel, Abraham
L-R: The Sentinel, Abraham, Isaac
The Sentinel

The fifth to eighth stops will be introduced in the next post.
第五到第八站，會在下一個貼文介紹。

Temple of Sinawava 西納瓦瓦神廟

The ninth stop: The Temple of Sinawava — a natural amphitheater carved by the Virgin River. From here, you can access the Riverside Walk and The Narrows.

The Riverside Walk is a 2-mile round-trip, easy, paved trail that offers great views of the Virgin River, along with wonderfully lush hanging gardens and trees surrounded by tall, weeping canyon walls.

第九站：西納瓦瓦神廟，這是一座天然的圓形劇場，由維琴河雕刻而成。從這裡可以前往河濱步道和狹窄峽谷。

來回 2 英里的河濱步道是一條輕鬆並已鋪設好的步道，可欣賞維琴河的美景以及鬱鬱蔥蔥的空中花園和樹木，周圍環繞著高大的流淚牆。

Photo Date: 2023.09.19

The Narrows 狹窄峽谷

The Narrows, this gorge, with walls towering a thousand feet high and the river sometimes just 20 to 30 feet wide, is one of the most popular areas in the park. This hike involves wading through the Virgin River — and yes, you will definitely get your feet wet!

Water levels fluctuate greatly from year to year, and even day to day, depending on rainfall and snowmelt. The Narrows are also susceptible to flash flooding because much of the surrounding area is bare rock that doesn’t absorb water. Therefore, it’s essential to check the weather forecast and flash flood potential before you go.

With knee-deep crossings over a slippery, uneven riverbed — and frequent pools that reach waist-deep — closed-toe shoes and a hiking stick are highly recommended. The towering canyon walls and flowing water create cooler conditions than anywhere else in Zion Canyon, so wear and bring seasonally appropriate synthetic layers. Check the Virgin River Narrows Safety page for more equipment and clothing recommendations.

You can also rent gear packages from several outfitters outside the park. These usually include river-specific shoes, neoprene socks, a walking pole, and dry pants or bibs — with prices ranging from $25 to $50 per day, depending on the package.

Important: Hiking upstream in the Narrows as far as Big Spring does not require a permit. However, doing a top-down one- or two-day hike does require both a permit and transportation to the trailhead — a 1.5-hour ride outside the park to Chamberlain’s Ranch.

As for us, we brought our own walking sticks, water shoes, and a waterproof pouch to protect our cell phone. That was good enough for us.

Although the water was a bit turbulent and cold, and the rocks and stones beneath my feet were uneven and slippery, every step I took felt as scary as walking on thin ice. I was afraid of slipping into the water accidentally — but it was a memorable and unforgettable experience. At my age, if I don’t go now, when will I?

狹窄峽谷的峽谷峭壁高達一千英尺，河面有時只有 20 到 30 英尺寬，是公園裡最受歡迎的區域之一。這次健行需要涉水穿過維琴河——沒錯，你的腳肯定會被弄濕！

水位每年、每天都有很大的波動，取決於降雨和融雪等多種因素。狹窄峽谷也容易遭受山洪爆發，因為周圍大部分地區都是裸露的岩石，不吸水。所以要去之前，請務必事先查訊天氣預報和山洪爆發的可能性。

由於河床濕滑凹凸，水深及膝，而且經常可及腰深，因此強烈建議穿著包頭鞋並攜帶登山杖。而且高聳的峽谷岩壁和潺潺的流水使錫安峽谷的氣候比其他地方都涼爽，因此請穿著並攜帶適合季節的合成纖維衣物。更多裝備和服裝建議，請查看Virgin River Narrows 安全頁面。

你也可以在園區外的幾家戶外用品店租到裝備包。這些通常包括河流專用鞋、合成塑料襪、登山杖以及乾褲子或圍兜——價格根據套組不同，價格是每天 25 美元到 50 美元不等。

重要提醒：沿著狹窄峽谷上游徒步至大泉 (Big Spring) 無需許可證。但若要從峽谷上溯一至兩天，則需要許可證和，並且要從公園外的張伯倫牧場(Chamberlain's Ranch)開始一個半小時的車程及徒步行程。

至於我們，這次我們自己帶了手杖、水鞋和一個防水袋來保護手機，也夠用了。

雖然狹窄峽谷水流有些湍急冰冷，腳下的大小石頭也凹凸不平，有些濕滑，我每走一步都感覺如履薄冰，提心吊膽，深怕一不小心滑進水裡——但這段經歷終生難忘。我這把年紀了，現在不去，更待何時？

Photo Date: 2023.09.19

References 參考資料

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