Before getting to this weeks desktop, there's a couple of things I wanted to remind you about.  First, expect the next update to be on time.   Second, the previous weeks wallpaper is always still available by clicking the preview to the left found on this page.  Enjoy!

Above is this weeks free desktop. Returning this time to a real gem, welcome once again to the wonderful Zion National Park. Zion NP is located in southwestern Utah and offers visitors magnificent scenery found nowhere else on earth. The sandstone cliffs found here are among the highest in the world, but simply talking about their height does not convey the true wonder here, which happens to be the beauty one will find in them. This park feels almost like three parks, divided by both the need to access each from a different path plus there is a different feel from each section. The main, eastern section is Zion Canyon, a mainly "shuttle service only" access area which is reached via Hwy 9 though the East or South entrances of the park. This section offers a beautiful canyon, the Virgin River, high cliffs, shimmering pools, waterfalls, and hikes to staggering overlooks. When most people speak of going to Zion, this is where they went. The center section of Zion is the least developed portion of the park and could be easily overlooked. Comprised of the lower & upper Kolob Plateau with Lava Point, this offers an entertaining 30 plus mile round trip drive (over 40 miles if you go all the way to the Kolob Reservoir) off of Hwy 9 rewarding you with some truly entertaining views and access to several backcountry trails. The northern section here is Kolob Canyons and is only accessible from Interstate 15 (well, you can hike in through the backcountry), and is over 40 miles from the main section of the park. This weeks picture comes from the main, Zion Canyon section of the park and was taken in September 2005 at the top of Angels Landing looking north back up Zion Canyon. Angels is a very impressive formation when viewing it from the canyon floor and happens to be one of the outstanding hiking experiences here. As quite commonly is the case though, there is a catch connected to this wonderful experience. The trail to the top of Angels is a tough 2.5 mile (one way) hike which gains close to 1500 ft with the last 1/2 mile of the trail being kind of a scramble up a narrow ridge to reach the summit. If you have any issues with heights, this is probably not the hike for you. In the photo, it's easy to see the Virgin River, a section of park road, and the amazing sandstone cliffs. On the rim to the right, above the white face, is a tip of red which is Observation Point close to 600 feet higher than Angels. On the rim to the left it is easy to made out a trail snaking its way up. This is the West Rim Trail which is one of the main trails into the backcountry. Zion National Park is a really great experience, providing one with an opportunity to explore amazing landscape sculped by the Virgin River, but be warned, the layout and volume of things to see here require an extended visit, you'll just get a glimpse of what Zion has to offer with a single day. Check the links section for more info on Zion National Park.