Located in southwestern Utah
(USA), this 146,597 acre park was Utah ’s first National Park (established on
November 19, 1919).
According to Wikipedia, “The Park’s unique geology includes
mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers, slot
canyons, and natural arches. A
prominent feature of the 229-square-mile park is Zion
Canyon , which is 15 miles long
and up to half a mile deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo
Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River .”
The Visitor Center Visitor Center
We enter Zion National Park Mount Carmel Highway ). The Zion-Mount
Carmel Highway took three years (1927-1930) to
complete and includes two tunnels built through solid rock. This year-round road connects the east side
of the park to the south side of the Park and provides access to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive .
The Zion–Mount Carmel Highway was placed on
the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
UT-9 (aka Mount Carmel Highway)
East Entrance Sign
At the entrance station, ask for
a park newspaper. It is a valuable
source of information about hiking, camping, backcountry recreation, large
vehicle restrictions, and includes several maps. Caution … stunning scenery ahead!
We follow the red paved road into the park. The first named feature we see is Checkerboard
Mesa (900’ high). An interpretive sign
explains how the unique checkerboard pattern was created. “The
scratches that run horizontal are the result of north to south winds while the
vertical cracks come from thousands of years of weathering- freezing and
thawing.” There is a parking lot with viewing areas making this
a worthwhile stop.
Checkerboard Mesa
We drive through a short rock tunnel and continue until just before we
reach the second tunnel. Here is where
we find the parking area to access the Canyon Overlook Trail. This moderately-rated, one mile (round trip)
hike has a 163' elevation change.
Most of the elevation is at the beginning of the trail. I use the metal hand rail to negotiate the
uneven stone steps. The trail levels out
and we continue hiking to the overlook. Along
the way, we cross a foot bridge that hangs over the cliff. The trail then passes through a shallow,
“grotto-like” alcove.
Foot Bridge
View From Alcove
Hanging Garden at back of Alcove
Trail Continues ...
On the other side of the alcove, the trail continues. At this point, there is a short distance where
the trail is very narrow (and no guard rails).
I walk sideways with my back hugging the rock wall and use my walking
sticks for balance.
At times, the trail traverses slick rock and more stone steps. After numerous photo stops, we finally reach
the Canyon Overlook. The canyon view is
outstanding and we marvel at the road zig-zagging its way down to the canyon
floor.
Switchbacks on Zion-Mt Carmel Highway
We spend about 30 minutes here before we begin
our hike back to our jeep. When we reach
the parking lot, we see six big horn sheep on the side of the mountain next to
us.
It is 6 p.m. by the time we drive through the second tunnel – complete
with a couple of “windows” carved out of the rock wall. This 1.1 mile long tunnel was completed in
1930 when large vehicles were less common.
As a result, access for oversized vehicles requires a special permit to
allow them to pass through the tunnel without encountering opposing
traffic. For specific information
regarding the types of vehicles that require this special permit and the time
of day it is permitted, please click on the “Plan Your Visit” link (Park
Newspaper) at the end of this blog post.
You should also know that bicyclists and pedestrians are not allowed in
the tunnel.
Oversize Vehicle at Tunnel
We follow the switchbacks down the mountain road to the valley. Starting October 26, 2015, private cars were
allowed to drive the Zion Canyon
Scenic Road during the week (weekends still
require shuttle bus service). We decide
to check on lodging availability for tonight at Zion Lodge. Unfortunately, it was fully booked for the
next two nights.
We drive to the Park’s south entrance.
Just outside the park boundary is the town of Springdale .
We get the last room at the Under the Eaves B&B.
View from B&B's Backyard
A short distance from the B&B
is the Bit & Spur Saloon where we have dinner. They have outdoor seating on the porch. Heat lamps help ward off the chill in the
night air. The food and service was good.
After a good night’s sleep, we make our plans for
the day. Since visitation in the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is located 45 miles north of Springdale
and 17 miles south of Cedar
City
Kolob Canyons Entrance
Kolob Canyons Area Map
After a brief visit at the Visitor Center Kolob
Canyons Road ).
We get distracted photographing
the red rock landscape and road scenes … and yes, the surface of the pavement
is really red which allows the road to blend in with its natural surroundings. How
cool is that?
Zion's Red Roads
We stop and hike a bit of the Taylor
Creek Trail. The trail is five miles round trip with 450' elevation change. The
beginning of the trail is where most of the elevation change occurs. We go down
into the canyon crossing Taylor
Creek
Taylor Creek Trail
The road ends at the Kolob
Canyons View Point (elevation 6,185'). A panoramic view
reveals Horse Ranch
Mountain , Paria Point, Beatty Point,
Nagunt Mesa, Timber
Top Mountain
We want to hike the Timber Creek
Overlook Trail. This one mile (round trip) trail is rated moderate and has a
100' elevation change. "The trail
follows a ridge to a small peak with views of Timber Creek, Kolob Terrace, and Mount Trumball
Timber Creek Overlook Trail
Yikes! There have been several
sightings of Mountain Lions here recently. We begin hiking the trail and keep a
sharp lookout for anything unusual. We
enjoy the solitude as we walk this quiet trail..
At the end of the trail is a grand panoramic view of
the area. This should be a good sunset
spot but the clouds are preventing that from happening. I look to the west and notice a small slit of
blue sky between the clouds and the mountain ridge. Maybe we might see some warm light on the rock
walls if the sun manages to break through those clouds.
View from Timber Creek Overlook
It is after 6 pm and time to
start hiking back to the parking lot. We
walk a short distance and notice the sun has broken through the clouds casting
a warm golden glow on the rock walls.
Sunset in the Kolob Canyons Area
The light fades quickly as the
sun moves behind the clouds. Still, we
managed to get a few photos. We return
to the parking lot and drive back to I-15.
We decide to spend the night in
We return to Zion National Park
The East Rim Trail extends for
more than 10 miles (to Weeping Rock). We
are going to hike the trail with no expectations or destination in mind. The sandy trail is easy walking and a good
leg-stretcher. Another nice thing about
the trail is that it is quiet and not heavily used. We can't hear any road traffic … just the
birds singing to us.
Trail Sign
Views Along the East Rim Trail
T
Entering Zion Wilderness
We return to the parking lot and say good-bye to Zion National Park
While we did not get very far into Zion Canyon
Last Section of Trail to Angels Landing
View from Angels Landing
Inside the park you will find
food and lodging at the Zion Lodge. If
you are planning to stay overnight at the Lodge, I would recommend making
reservations prior to your visit to avoid any disappointments.
The campgrounds in Zion Canyon
Gas, food, and lodging can be
found in the following nearby towns:
Kanab (population 4,468 in 2013)
is about 32 miles from the Park’s east entrance.
St. George (population 76,817 in
2013) is about 42 miles from the PCark’s south entrance.
Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews for lodging and dining options.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
ROAD INFORMATION: For most of the year, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles. However, it is accessible by a free shuttle bus service which is available from late spring through late fall. For current information on dates and times for the shuttle bus service, please click on the “Plan Your Visit” link at the end of this blog post. Sorry, pets are not allowed on the shuttle bus.
The Zion/Mt. Carmel Highway Kolob Canyons Road , and Kolob Terrace Road are open to vehicles.
For information and photos on
places we visited in southern Utah ,
I invite you to view my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:
Family
vacations created some of my favorite memories.
To start planning your memorable trip to Zion
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my travel blog. I review comments on a regular basis and appreciate any feedback offered.