The morning of Day 9 found us in Flagstaff, AZ. On our way out of Flagstaff, and on our way to Zion National Park, we made what we thought would be a quick stop at Wupatki National Monument — which is made up of several pueblo ruins dating from about 1000 years ago. The Wukoki ruins (the first few pictures), are made up of 3 stories as well as a plaza area which housed the ancestors of what is now the the Hopi and Zuni tribes. The Wupatki ruins featured over 100 rooms and showed evidence (such as a “ball court”) that it was a meeting area for nearby tribes. We had so much fun learning about the ruins and exploring them first hand, we spent nearly 2 hours there.
On the road — from Arizona to Utah
At the Wukoki Pueblo ruins at Wupatki National Monument
Wukoki Pueblo ruins occupied from 1100-1200 A.D.
Wupatki ruins — over 100 rooms in this pueblo
D&K at the Wupatki ruins near Flagstaff, AZ
After leaving the ruins, we took the 4 hour drive to Zion National Park in Utah. Even before entering the park, we were amazed by the scenic drive.
Quite an amazing drive
When we arrived at Zion, we bypassed the $25 entrance fee by using our Annual Parks Pass which we purchased the day before. It has almost already paid for itself considering each park has a $10-$30 entrance fee!
The drive and hikes through Zion National Park are breathtaking. The rocks shoot straight out of the ground — sometimes at 90 degree angles — and soar hundreds of feet into the air. It was impossible to capture the scale of these rocks with pictures, but we did what we could!
At Zion National Park. Those sure are some sporty hats!
From one of the look-outs at Zion National Park
Stunning views from Zion National Park
The landscape of Zion National Park in UT
More of Zion
Every turn offered a new view
Katie on one of the hiking trails at Zion
Dan at the “Weeping Falls”
Dan at “Weeping Falls” in Zion National Park.
Water runs down the side of a gigantic rock at the “Temple of Sinawava” in Zion
Looking back from the “Temple of Sinawava”
On the hike back down the hill from “The Narrows”
We stopped for a piece of “Bumbleberry” pie after a long day in the park!