West Rim Trail, Zion: Backpack and Photography
East Temple as seen from the West Rim Trail Background: The West Rim Trail is one of the top backpacking trips in all of Utah. It is the best and most renown backpacking trail in Zion National Park. For over a decade I've had it on my wish list and never seemed to get things started. Finally I made a short bucket list of things to do, short enough that I could accomplish some of these things each year. I have less than 10 things on this list. West Rim Trail made the list and I finally stopped making excuses and instead took those days off work. Time to stop planning and start doing. The Permit: I went as a walk-in to the ranger station at 6 AM, waited in line and got my lucky top-choice campsite: # 5. Why #5? Campsite 5 is right in the middle of the hike, it's right on the edge of Phantom Valley, it's right where I wanted to be for sunset and sunrise. And I got it. Yes! Campsites 4 and 6 are also on the pla...