All along the loop section of trail are excellent lookouts down onto lower Zion Canyon. The two campgrounds, the park service's residential area, the town of Springdale - all are readily visible from these lookouts.
courtesy JInnes
Roland, Stephanie, and The Watchman
With actual sunset approaching (although the sun had disappeared behind the canyon walls, there was still a short time before actual sunset), we headed back. With minimal elevation to lose, a short distance, and a relatively smooth trail, the short 2.5 km was covered in a quick forty minutes.
courtesy RHanel
It was partway into dusk by the time we walked back into our campsite. Already, the warm day was cooling off fast.
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Watchman Trail - click map to view
Watchman Trail - Hike Data
Start Time:
5:33p.m.
End Time:
7:30p.m.
Duration:
1h57m
Distance:
5.08 km
(3.15 mi)
Average Speed:
2.6 km/hr
(1.6 mph)
Start Elevation:
3952ft
(1204m)
*
Max Elevation:
4427ft
(1349m)
*
Min Elevation:
3926ft
(1197m)
*
End Elevation:
3932ft
(1198m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
510ft
(155m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
522ft
(159m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph