Zion National Park Day.
Sunday, Memorial Day Weekend, perfect weather, arrived at Zion at about 10:00am, perfect timing jumped on the shuttle taking us into the canyon. Finally we are down in a canyon looking up instead of looking down from a motorcycle. With not a cloud in the sky the shuttle took us up to the end and we walked the mile long Riverside Walkway up to the Narrows. The Narrows was not open for walking into because of the high water level in the river. The views were breathtaking and I couldn't take enough pictures. The shuttle made many stops and you could get on and off as you wished. We stopped at the Zion Lodge for something to eat and I had my favorite ice cream and chips. We stopped at the Visitor Center and Museum. Now we have to ride out.
On entering the Park we came into the South Entrance coming from Springdale along the Virgin River. On leaving the park we went out the only other entrance, the East, which takes you Route 9 to Route 89 and let me tell you it was another "OMG" ride out. The road takes you up the canyon wall with 6 switch backs climbing all the way till you reach a mile long tunnel through the mountain. Again Ken was outstanding driving up and around those curves. The tunnel has restrictions on large vehicles. Seven years ago when Ken had his camper the tunnel had to be closed for just his camper because of its height and he had to pay extra money to go through. Otherwise two cars can go through at the same time.
We were now on Zion-Mount Carmel Highway with breathtaking views and we went through another smaller tunnel and we were up over 6,000 feet, no snow. Down Route 89 to Kanab for the night, dinner at Houston's Trail End restaurant.
Zion has many hiking trails and is famous for rock climbing. I was most impressed with Angels Landing Trail via West End Trail which climbs up many switch backs then to the top of the rim. Of course I didn't do it but bought a poster of it.
FACTOID: Zion opened in 1919 and is one of more than 380 parks in the National Park System. We are blessed to have so many National Treasures to visit.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Happy Memorial Day!
ReplyDeleteYou are covering alot of area!! We love the pics of Zions and the descriptions of the roads while riding on the motorcycle.. Glad it's you and not me... I'm the same way with heights. Anyway, did you read my post the day before? About visiting Candy Rock Mountain and Page--Lake Powell as suggestions?
You mentioned you maybe in Sedona by Tuesday which is tomorrow. Are you going to see Lake Powell? It is beautiful if you rent a boat and go out into the lake it is like Sedona in water... One of my favorite places. I spent much time and fun on the lake in the earlier years of living here.
Michelle
We camped down in Zion and it was a warm, beautiful night. We had a campfire and the stars were right on top of us. It was one of our most peaceful moments of our trip! What an amazing area of our wonderful country!!
ReplyDelete