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UPDATE: There is a chance of rain on Saturday morning, and clear on Sunday. There is also snow likely above 5500 feet, so the Bridge Mountain Hike has been canceled and Branch is not going. He pre-paid for the group campsite, so Cynthia will go rain or shine, and take over the reservation, so if you'd still like to go - YAY!
Please check the message board thread to update your plans and see who's coming, when, and where. We are constantly updating this page with more information about the camping and hiking details. Stay tuned!
Meet at The Cannery at 7:00am on Saturday morning.
Those who are camping overnight will pack up their carpools, and those who are just going for the day will ride together. We'll be on the road by 7:30am. Figure 2.5 hours to Zion, plus an hour time change, and a line at the booth ... so arrival around 11:30am? The drive is 300 miles round-trip, so please give some gas money to your driver ($8-13 per person, depending on the mileage and number of people.)
CAMPERS: Watchman Campground is inside the park, south of the Visitors Center. If you don't have a National Parks Pass, you will pay $25 per car to enter the park. If someone in your car wants to buy a Natl Pass ($80), give them your share of $25 so they can put it toward that cost.
DAY HIKERS: Park outside the South Entrance and walk in together, paying $25 per 5 people (one car) or 5 people per Natl Pass. There might be a shortage of parking, but there's lots of places to park in the town, and they run a free Shuttle to the Entrance. If someone wants to buy a Natl Pass, give them your share of $25 to go toward that cost.
Everyone should be in the park, at the Visitor Center, near the Shuttle stop, ready to leave for the trailhead at NOON.
If the weather will make Angel's Landing unsafe, we'll decide as a group to pick an alternate hike, or chill out together until the weather clears up. If you came for the day hike only and the weather bums you out, you can ride the free Shuttle up and down the Scenic Drive to see the sights, sit in the Lodge to eat or play games, and decide when to leave back for Vegas. But we're hoping it will be ok to hike right away!
Saturday Hike: Angel's Landing
Trailhead: Across from Grotto stop (marked)
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,488 feet
Elevation peak: 5,790 feet
Time: 2-5 hours
Difficulty: 3
Possible Sunday Hikes: If we miss Angel's Landing on Saturday, we'll do it on Sunday after breakfast. Otherwise, Cynthia will lead Emerald Pools (easy-moderate) and Shin will lead Observation Point & Hidden Canyon (10 miles & 2,500 ft elevation gain).

CAMPING DETAILS:
Watchman Campground, group sites E-4 & E-5 will fit 60 people and 16 cars. There are restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking water available. No showers, no electricity. Check-in starts at 11am Saturday, and check-out is before 11am Sunday. If you're going hiking on Sunday, make sure you're packed up - I think you can park in the overflow while you're out?
Some people have reserved D sites (2-tents) that are near to us. Come on over for meals and fire if you wish! We should have tons of room with so many cancellations! 
BRING: $5 per person in the group site. Everyone should bring a share of firewood. Plan food for hiking and group dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. Bring hiking food or lunch for Sunday too, depending on when you're leaving. There is a small town outside the park entrance, with gas and restaurants (Beware Easter hours and BFE prices!)

Couldn't get me in the water this time of year. To cold, to deep!
You would need a dry suit to do Subway. Plenty of great hikes on dry land on both sides.
Seems like Narrows & Subway is not a good idea at this season. So, how about Observation Point + Hidden Canyon Hike? I have never tried both of them, but seems good hike.
Climb up to Observation Point (http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-observation-point-t...![]()
) first. If we got enough time/strength, then goes to Hidden Canyon (http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-hidden-canyon-trail...![]()
) next. If you are so tired after Observation point, you can pass Hidden Canyon and just go down to trailhead. Hidden Canyon is just a optional side hike. This is my current best plan.
I am in love with the Narrows, but I won't do it until late summer when the water is not freezing and higher chance of flooding. Rest assured, I'll be posting it like crazy when the weather's nice! ;-)
This is coming together splendidly! On Sunday, Branch can lead experts, Shin can do his moderate-strenuous thing (8+ miles), and I'll do an easy-moderate (3-4 miles) -- I'm thinking Emerald Pools via Kayenta? http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-emerald-pools-trail...![]()
& http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-hike-kayenta.htm![]()
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When I called to get the permits, they had plenty of group campsites available. So if someone wants to get another campsite, then we can make more spots available. Anyone who does not camp, is not counted as far as camping goes. This might get a little confusing, but I am sure we can work it out.
I have just reserved one more Group camp site for 26 spots.
This site also Tents only No RVs. No electricity. and got another 8 parking spaces. So, we don't need any vehicles take 5 hikers.
(16 cars x 4 hikers = 64 )
I think this site is right next to Branch reserved.
Currently, I'm working with Branch.
Susan... Randon and I are going to get a site for Friday and Saturday night. You're more than welcome to camp on our site! It would be nice to see you also! We can't wait to see everyone!
Thanks, Nicole! Seems like there are more people wanting to come than can fit on your site so I'm going to attempt to get another site for everyone else. We may just have a party!
Susan and Nichole, I booked the site next to yours D008. Now Loop-D is full. Right now Loop-C, which is the closest to Loop-D, has about five open sites.
Randon and I have D016. So, if anyone is interested in staying on our site Friday and Saturday, please e-mail me. It's $32 total. We can just split the cost between whoever shares the site. Thanks!
Branch, I worked at Zion for 2 summers and know the park very well. I would be willing to lead a small group of people on another hike on Sat. Can be as easy or hard as you think we need to accomodate people. I would love to do the Bridge Mtn hike w/ you on Sun. Is going to the arch possible from that route or is it too out of the way?
Captain Morgan - Thanks, we can figure out the hike you want to lead that day. Bridge Mtn will take around 10 hours; too long to also do the arch.
Shin - OP and Hidden Canyon sounds good.
That means you are going to hide some easter eggs on the Angeles landings and let us find it?
Shin-that means you have to hike Angel's Landing dressed like the Easter Bunny!
Hi Everyone! So, I was reading through the comments. Um... how many sites are there for the weekend? 2 for Friday and 4 for Saturday? I am sure I am not right. There are lots of reservations people say they have booked. I am interested in going for 2 nights if it's ok. I think it would be fun! I am sure, as the date gets closer, that this posting will be updated. Look at all of us so excited and it's February! Yes! I have never been here before! Keep me posted!
Hi Romie... The meetup is officially for Saturday night only, but a few of us have reserved campsites for 2 nights. Mine is currently full, but if you read down, Nicole may still have room at her site. You can check with her. If not, you may be able to find a few other people to go in with you on another 3-tent site if there are any left.
Branch says, "There is serious exposure on this hike. You fall, you die!"
So Branch, doesn't this describe most of your hikes?
Do you want to camp Friday and Saturday? If so, Randon and I still have room on our campsite. Just e-mail and let me know. Thanks!
Debbie---you're right it is! Much better than Death Valley when I rained the whole time...should I be knocking on wood right now...anything can happen!
Hi. I want to head up there on Friday night, but I don't want to go alone. I have no idea where to go and which campsites are whose. Anyone going up on Friday who I can follow?! E-mail me please! I am scared! j/k
Yes, Debbie, like you said, this is Easter weekend. Would any of you be interested in doing our own service/devotional and/or meditations that morning for a group that might want to. Any ministers out there? You guys doing Bridge later on probably need all the blessings you can get! LOL
Our carpool is set -- Me, Malia, and Murt + gear and firewood for 3. For sure Saturday night, but we're deciding wither to come up Friday after work (if there's room)
Is there a carpool going for those on Saturday only? I don't want to drive, willing to help with gas. Please contact met if anyone has room in their car.
I can take two more in my car.
Is anyone planning on arriving before noon on Fri? I'll already be around and could meet up for a hike.
Randon and I are coming up Friday. CaptainMorgan, what's your campsite? We're D16.
Does anyone have campsite room for 3 tents and one car on Friday night?
I thought I might be going up Friday, but it looks like it will be Saturday instead. I have a Grand Cherokee which should easily fit 5 hikers and gear (including me) and I'm willing to drive. Or I could ride, whichever works ~ I'm open.
My campsite is now full, but if anyone needs a ride up on Friday morning, please let me know!
Friday Night
Rain likely. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 60 percent.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Highs in the upper 50s.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain showers. Lows in the mid 40s.
Now, Now let's stay positive...rain or shine we're GOING. Of course, Safety First on the hikes.
Yes Debbie I realized it's Easter weekend after we booked our campsite. I'm trying to find a service in Springdale if anyone would like to join me. We can say an extra prayer for all the people on Bridge mountain.
Please discuss the possible change of plans on the message board: http://www.meetup.com/VegasHikers/messages/boards/thread/...![]()
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I would be in favor of changing the trip to the weekend of the 24th. I would hate to go all the way up there and have to sit around and not hike. Since the campgrounds have been paid for, however, would chip in my share to Branch or Cynthia or whoever paid. Cold and wet is NOT good.
Branch cancelled this because he can't lead Bridge Mtn hike. And most of our hikers are NOT going that hike.
As weather forcast says Sunday is Sunny! So, at least we can hike to Angeles Landings or somewhere. Of course I will lead some hikes.
Meet me at Visitor Center at 11:45AM.
As of midnight, we have 40 YES, of which 33 are expected in the group sites. If you are not coming, or plan on hiking only, please update your RSVP. Here's the current breakdown: http://files.meetup.com/216740/campers.pdf![]()
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Sorry Shin, I'm canceling too. 70% chance of rain doesn't sound like good odds. I'd rather go up when we can hike both days. I'll send Branch money, as should everyone who committed to go. Like Shin said, it's not fair for the organizers to get stuck because they made a financial commitment on behalf of the group. They won't want to do it again & who could blame them? Hopefully, this will be re-scheduled to do both hikes as originally planned & an alternate hike for those of us not doing Bridge.
If you can't make this event, I'm going to post a few more Zion weekends this summer, but the dates are filling fast! I posted a list of sites and days remaining in 2009, if you have an opinion - let me know! http://www.meetup.com/VegasHikers/messages/boards/thread/...![]()
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Update from Paul 12:30 pm Vegas time: "overcast and 62 degrees, no rain, no wind." He asked me to get the word out! :)
UPDATE: 25 campers in group site - http://files.meetup.com/216740/campers2.pdf![]()
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Refunds offered if:
Additional notes: We have paid $180 deposit on Watchman campgrounds. If you cancel after March 26, you will owe Branch $5 unless someone takes your spot.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
Log in to Meetup with your Facebook account.
Shin - doing the Narrows in one day is kind of rushed. people that I know that have done is would never do it that way again. the best way is overnight. I'm hoping to get a trip together in June for that.