Zion, translated from Hebrew as “the citadel of ancient Jerusalem”

The National Monument when first formalized was named Mukuntuweap, Southern Pauite for “Straight Canyon”. The name was later changed to Zion. The valley is estimated to have been inhabited for at least the last 8,000 years. A beautiful Park. However, we will have to return for the narrows hike another day. With record winter snowfall, the Virgin River is still flowing at around 1,000 cfs, well above the 150 cfs benchmark the Park Service has set to hike the canyon narrows safely. Many years the narrows is never closed to hikers. This year, they are estimating it won't be open to hikers until early July,