Stories Mark Zion Park Centennial

Several special activities are being held this year, as Zion National Park marks its centennial. The park has published this Official Centennial Newspaper, titled "A Century of Sanctuary 1909-2009. It is interesting reading.

The Salt Lake Tribune has this article featuring stories about the park submitted by readers.

And Trib outdoors writer Tom Wharton shares his experiences related to the park. Below are excerpts from Tom's article.

My late wife and I spent the first two nights of our honeymoon camping here in 1972. She was trying to turn me into an outdoor lover but didn't help her cause when we climbed to the top of Angels Landing on a hot June day with no water.

I've watched as snow covered Checkerboard Mesa on a Thanksgiving weekend and as a late summer monsoon storm created waterfalls nearly everywhere. Zion was one of the last national parks my late wife visited before her death. We hiked the Watchman Trail, her once sturdy body struggling with the combination of cancer and chemo.

After reading a couple of dozen stories about Zion submitted by Tribune readers for the centennial celebration, it's obvious that I am not alone in my feelings for this place. On warm March weekends, first surrounded by strangers from all over the world and then by kids and grandkids, I realized that Zion is a spiritual place. I can only marvel at the wisdom and foresight it took 100 years ago when few visited this land of towering sandstone cliffs for someone to see its value and set it aside so millions of us can now enjoy its largely unspoiled views.

Read his complete article.