Observation Point Trail
Observation Point Trail
I drank 32 ounces water.
On the way up Martha and I spontaneously received multiple compliments and words of encouragement (I assume because of our apparent age). Among them were 2 "Impressive"'s and 2 "You are an inspiration"'s. One very nice couple asked our as he and as he continued down the trail he turned around and said "Nice boots". I had noticed earlier that he was wearing Lowa boots like ours.
The next day on a ranger guided bus tour of the Park our ranger Jason Diger expressed some surprise when we coincidentally mentioned that we had hiked Observation Point Trail the day before.
Today, 9/10/2018, 2 days later, a French couple from Normandy recognized Martha's blue shirt that they remembered from the Observation Point Trail in Zion and said hello.
During the hike I took two doses of ibuprofen, 400 mg each. During the first half of the hike I had some right popliteal pain. The first dose of ibuprofen took care of that. During the second half of the hike I developed right lateral compartment knee pain. I assume the ibuprofen dose helped that some but not completely.
Turns out Observation Point Trail is the most challenging trail at Zion National Park. Longer and more elevation gained than Angel's Landing. See photo taken of the Hiking Guide in the Zion National Park Summer 2018 Map and Guide for comparisons.
I also included a screenshot shot of the Dark Sky app temperature profile for the day showing a high of 84. However Martha points out the car thermometer read 99 degrees F when we returned from the hike.
Total distance hiked 7.69 miles.
Title: Observation Point Trail
Date: 9/8/18, 8:49:54 AM MDT
Distance: 7.69 mi
Time: 07:14:58
Average Speed: 1.1 mph
Max Speed: 5.6 mph
Ascent: 2,213.47 ft
Min/Max Altitude: 4,442.15 ft, 6,521.22 ft
Started: 9/8/18, 8:49:54 AM MDT - (37.27093, -112.93947)
Ended: 9/8/18, 4:04:52 PM MDT - (37.27058, -112.93845)