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Emerald Pools Trail

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).
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