Emerald Pools is one of the most popular
hikes in Zion. It is probably easy to moderate in difficulty,
depending on your ability. There are three pools, the lower,
the middle, and the upper pool (great naming there). Departing
from the Zion Lodge we crossed the street and headed over the
bridge to find the trailhead. The first 0.6 miles portion, up to
the lower pool is paved (and very crowded). Waterfalls cascade
into the lower pool from the middle pool, and the trail passes
under the rock overhang behind the falls. In August the falls were
just a trickle, but it was still fun to see them. Continuing the
next 1 mile and 150 foot ascent you'll find the middle pool
which is a lot smaller. At its turn the middle pool is fed by a
stream from the upper pool. From the middle pool there is another
0.5 mile and 200 foot ascent to the upper pool most of it on
sandy and rocky ground. The upper pool sits between a small beach
on one side and a sheer cliff on the other. It's a beautiful
trail, very green because of the moss and ferns and all the
vegetation which feds on the flow of water. You can return to Zion
Lodge on a different trail. The picture shows the middle pool
(or what was left of it in August).
