Lucerne, Switzerland

Departed Zermatt and headed to Lucerne, a small city located along Lake Lucerne and Reuss River. There is Nadelwehr Luzern, a needle dam that regulates water flow from Lake Lucerne to keep the lake at a consistent height and protect Lucerne from floods. 

Located in Central Switzerland, Lucerne combines old city charm with modern conveniences. Lucerne is also a gateway to the mountains. We stayed at Hotel Alpina, a few minutes from the train station. This hotel offers a comprehensive breakfast - which is almost like a brunch.

The Hotel Alpina has Switzerland's smallest elevator.

To give you an idea how small the elevator at Hotel Alpina

Reuss River with Musegg Wall in the background.

Chapel Bridge with Mt Rigi in the background.

Jesuit Church in Lucerne

Lucerne sunset

Our excursion to Mt Rigi. Started with a boat ride across Lake Lucerne. Then transferred to a cogwheel train to reach the top of Mt Rigi.

Mt Pilatus excursion. We experienced all forms of Switzerland transit at Mt Pilatus. Rode a bus to the entrance. Then took two cable cars to get to the peak. Climbed stairs to two observation points. Spent lots of time enjoying the views. Then rode the cogwheel train down - steepest in the world with some points at 48 degree angle. Finally, rode the boat back to Lucerne. 

Mt Pilatus along Lake Lucerne

Mt Pilatus is also known as the dragon lair

Mt Pilatus cogwheel train. At angles of up to 48 degrees, this is the world's steepest  cogwheel railway.

Above the clouds.

We watched several people paragliding off Mt Pilatus

Christmas Trip 2021

 Red Rock Canyon

Calico Hills

We hiked to Calico Hills. This area looks like ham.

Getting close to Calico Hills

Petroglyph Wall

Small waterfall near Lost Creek

Valley of Fire - Rock Formations

Beehives

Near the Beehives. Looks like a dog.

Near the Fire Wave Trail parking lot. Looks like a shark fin. Or a sundial.

Near the Seven Wonders Trailhead. Looks like a car.

Fire Canyon.

Sun reflecting off the clouds and the mountain.

Elephant rock.

People can fit inside some of the rock openings.

Valley of Fire - Fire Wave, Pastel Canyon, Seven Wonders

We hiked to the Fire Wave, then walked through Pastel Canyon, and returned to the trailhead via Seven Wonders. A 2-mile loop through colorful rocks, which reminded me of Easter Eggs.

Trail to Fire Wave.

Fire Wave with Pastel Canyon in the background

Near the top of Fire Wave.

Fire Wave.

Walking through Pastel Canyon narrows.

Getting under Pastel Canyon.

Close up of the pastel colors

Seven Wonders Trail.

Crazy Hill

St George

Dixie Rock, inside Pioneer Park. 

Inside the trails in Dixie Rock

Climbing to the top of any rock in Dixie gives views of St George.

Black Hill

Lava trail inside Snow Canyon

Petrified sand dunes in Snow Canyon. Great for climbing.

Views of the canyon from the top of the petrified sand dunes.

Sand dunes in Snow Canyon.

Sand Hollow State Park

Sand Hollow Reservoir

Zion National Park - Day 1

We stayed at Hampton Inn in Springdale, Utah. This hotel has a waffle station - I made waffles with berries every day.

Riverside Walk, along the Virgin River inside the canyon.

The Organ and Great White Throne

Looking up at Angel's Landing. Some people hike to Angel's landing, which is a strenuous trail.

Close view of the snow covered trees on the mountain.

Court of the Patriarchs. Abraham Peak, Isaac Peak, Jacob Peak.

Hiking Watchman Trail.

The top of Watchman Trail has views of Towers of the Virgin and lower Zion Canyon.

Zion National Park - Day 2

Today we hiked to the Emerald Pools. Took the Kayenta Trail to Lower Emerald Pool. Then climbed to a ledge to reach the Middle Emerald Pool. Then another climb to reach Upper Emerald Pool. Returned via the Middle Emerald Pool trail.

After visiting the Emerald Pools, we joined a ranger led hike on Pa'rus Trail. The ranger talked about the rock layers in Zion. The bottom of Zion Canyon is the Kaibab rock formation, which is the top of the Grand Canyon. And the top layer in Zion is Temple Cap formation, which is the bottom of Bryce National Park. So if you look at the rock layers in Arizona and Utah, it would look like a stair case - Grand Canyon, then step up to Zion Canyon, and a step up to Bryce Canyon. The ranger also gave three steps leading to a flash flood: dirty water in the river, lots of floating twigs, and train sound (which is branches and large rocks flowing down the river). 

Hiking to Emerald Pools.

Lots of panoramic views along the Emerald Pools Trails. 

Overview of waterfalls flowing into the middle and lower Emerald pools.

Double waterfall flowing from Middle to Lower Emerald Pool.

Waterfall flowing into Middle Emerald Pool.

Close view of Emerald Pool waterfalls.

Walking behind the waterfalls in Lower Emerald pool. Reminded me of walking behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland. 

Middle Emerald Pool.

Waterfall flowing into Upper Emerald Pool.

Beautiful snow at Upper Emerald Pool.

Crawford Arch. Can be spotted near the top of Bridge Mountain on the Pa'rus Trail but you have to know where to look. The park ranger pointed the arch during the hike.