The Liberty Bell Arch Trail starts from a wash in the desert, and then rises in elevation to provide several scenic views of the hills surrounding the Colorado River, just below Hoover Dam. This hike is a super hot desert hike, always in the sun. It is best left for the winter months. However, if you take the challenge, you will be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views.
The trail for the Liberty Bell Arch starts just around the 4 mile marker off of Highway 93 in Arizona. There is a nice big parking lot, a slightly misleading trail map, and a bridge to cross under to start your hike. What they don’t tell you is that there are several different trails out there, and if you are not careful, you can end up on the wrong one even if you follow the signs. I ended up on the wrong trail that led me for a long, but beautiful, loop through the desert. All the while getting further and further from the bridge with pretty looks back towards my jumping off point.
I always recommend parking at the top level of the parking garage. You never know what the view will offer.
Ann and David Honeycutt Terrace at the Bass Concert Hall.
For a SXSW event tonight, They screened Ghost in the Shell with the backdrop of downtown Austin. It was a nice evening to sit out at the Long Center Terrace and watch the film.
Once you make it to the top of Enchanted Rock, you can relax and enjoy the views of the countryside. Pick a spot to have a picnic and wait for a colorful sunset as your reward for the climb to the summit.
Echo Canyon Trail is the fun part where you get to do some work. You scramble across boulders and enjoy the canyon views as you make your way to the summit of Enchanted Rock. At almost any point on this trail, you can launch yourself on a granite hike directly up the sloping side of Enchanted Rock.
Turning off of the easy Loop Trail for the more challenging, but still not difficult, Base Trail, turned me directly into the sun and started me on a climb. This trail runs alongside the back of Enchanted Rock, for views that most visitors don’t see. I think the majority of people are here for the hike up the summit, and may not realize how much fun the rest of the trails are at Enchanted Rock.
Zion is such a great adventure. If you drive the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, about 6 miles from the Visitor Center, you will find the Tunnel. It is about 1.1 miles long, and when it was completed in 1930, it was the longest tunnel of its type in the United States. It is a dark and spooky drive with a few openings along the way that let in some light and some views of the mountains. Beyond the Tunnel is a completely different section of the Park with some great hiking spots to explore.
earthrobert 