Zion Canyon, Utah

Best Western Thunderbird
Sites un-numbered - $17, p/w/s, Internet, Temp 22C

We left our Panguitch campsite at 9:30 a.m. & drove the 70 km stretch to Mt. Carmel Junction. (Yes, family that's 45 minutes.. go ahead & laugh.) This campspot was just a few sites across the road from the Hotel but allows you the use of facilities (pool etc. if wanted) and was perfect for us just looking for a parking spot while we toured the Park.

We unhooked. Packed a lunch & headed to the Zion National Park.

Two totally different canyon drives in two days. Both so awesome. If these two canyons, Bryce & Zion aren't listed in the "1000 Places to See Before You Die", they should be! Beauty at it's best. A hiker's paradise. Also for rock climbers. (see above 2 photos) I hope you all get an opportunity to visit sometime. 

The 37 km drive to the Zion Visitor Centre ranks up there as #1 in our travels along with the Needles Highway drive (Black Hills). The 1 1/2 mile tunnel cut through one of the sandstone 'rock' was the longest tunnel we have been in. Quite amazing. It was built 1927 to 1930. You'll get a better idea of this tunnel in the rock from the posted pics.

At the Visitor Centre we boarded the free shuttle for the 80 minute round trip ride. It makes 7 stops along the way, coming & going. You can get off at any or all the stops, hike, bike, take your pictures & board another of the shuttles that come & go every 5 - 10 minutes. This 80 minute drive stretched in to 4 hrs for us. Again, the serious hikers would spend the entire day. Easily. A quote from the Visitor Guide "Zion National Park exhibits some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. Deep sandstone canyons, striking rock towers, high mesas and plateaus characterise this magnificent landscape." 

The weather was perfect. The temps are getting warmer (lower altitude). Today's high was 26C. We shouldn't wake to a frozen waterline as we did this morning!

Tomorrow we will head to Jacob Lake. And our next "Canyon tour" -- The Grand Canyon North Rim.

P.S. I have to tell you. You know that lady from Osoyoos that I told you about. The one who joined us at the fire without her husband. She had been drinking. And she talked. A lot.... Yeah, that one.... It was actually her who said we needed to visit these canyons. And now, I am so glad she joined us at our fire that night! :)