ZION CANYON UTAH

Last time I stopped at the main canyon of Zion, the traffic congestion was so bad I had no interest in returning. Now that access to private vehicles has been restricted between April and October, this national park is a pleasure once more.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/DSCN1492s.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/DSCN1497s.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/DSCN1506s.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/DSCN1508s.jpg

So join me for a short ride down Zion Canyon from the Temple of Sinawava to Zion Canyon Lodge (http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/?action=view&current=ce32278f.flv)for lunch. (link to video)

Wow .... that's all I can say .... amazing pictures.

Amazing!!!

I too didn't like the traffic. And that was back in the late 70's early 80's. After looking at the pictures and watching the video it looks fantastic without cars.

What type of restrictions? From the video it looked more like banned, except for that one car.



pmc

I did not know that. That's good to hear. Maybe it's time for me to schedule a time to visit Zion again.

Nice pics!...but you don't gotta climb those hills to get to the donut derby do ya?:D

Very nice. I remember hearing about the car restrictions, and plan on visiting it some time again (last visited when i was 13). I hadn't thought of cycling through it, but that's a great idea!

Good stuff.

Great photo!:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/DSCN1508s.jpg


The shuttle also runs outside the park through the adjacent tourist town of Springdale. There's designated shuttle parking througout. About half price to enter by foot / shuttle / bike.

Ah this brings back memories. When friend and I did cross country trip we stopped in Zion. When we got there we decided to go on a hiking trip through the river. Yep you actually hike up the Virgin River. It runs in through the canyon in the picture below. Anyway we get back and I ask my friend: "So do you have spare shoes?" It was fun trying to find closest Wally world or any store that sold shoes. :)

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/cycling/DSCN1506s.jpg

. . . .
What type of restrictions? From the video it looked more like banned, except for that one car.
pmc

No private vehicles in the main canyon from the junction to the end of the road except by special permit. Pretty much limited to park personnel and maintenance. The shuttle service uses natural gas powered vehicles which are very quiet, and run at about 12 min intervals, so it is really a convenient way to get around other than walking or cycling.

The shuttle also runs outside the park through the adjacent tourist town of Springdale. There's designated shuttle parking througout. About half price to enter by foot / shuttle / bike.

You got it James, although the entrance fee is a per person pass, as opposed to per vehicle, good for a week. And Springdale is a nice little town just outside the southwest entrance to the park. For anyone interested, Oscar's Cafe is a great place back off the main hwy to eat, and the guys at Zion Cycling, next to Adventure Outfitters, are great too.

. . . . Yep you actually hike up the Virgin River. It runs in through the canyon in the picture below. . . .

There is a lot of great hiking in Zion, including the Narrows. Presently, however, a substantial part of the back country is closed due to a wild fire that was burning to the north. But the shorter hikes out of the main canyon up to the Emerald Pools, The Grotto, Riverside etc. are great. With all the T-storm activity going on right now, the river is subject to flash flood, so you wouldn't want to get caught in The Narrows.:eek::D

Great photos!! Always inspiring when fellow Socal brethren venture out and about, and take time to tell about it!

Nice pics!...but you don't gotta climb those hills to get to the donut derby do ya?:D

You've been peeking.:p I definitely need more hills, and fewer donuts.:o

Hhmm. Now I wanna go.

For anyone interested, Oscar's Cafe is a great place back off the main hwy to eat,
Oscar's is excellent! They have a burger called the Murder Burger... and it's as good as the name suggests it will be. :D

Glad I'm not alone in my appreciation for Oscar's Cafe James.:D

And thanx to everyone that liked the pics and video. Always appreciate your feedback.

Several years ago I rode through Zion on a motorcycle and thought that was a great way to see it. I'd love to do it on a bicycle. Nice pics!