Ups and downs of Zion

Before Nancy and Ct were to arrive, Jan and I ran up to Zion to get some info about the Narrows hike.  The entrance to the park is 12 miles from the campground, and we were commenting on how crowded the roads, campground, and surrounding area were.  As we joined 52 other vehicles at the entrance gate trying to get into the park, my enthusiasm was waning.  When I pulled into the visitor center and made a circuit trying to find a parking place and finally having Jan jump out and go in, my enthusiasm was essentially gone!  Those who know me realize my tolerance for crowds is basically nonexistent.   Jan came back with info on the Narrows hike that basically sealed the deal for us.  As far as we knew the Narrows hike is done mostly in the water up into a very narrow canyon.  Well that is true, but first you hike a mile and a half to get to the Virgin River, then into the 58 degree water that goes from ankle deep to thigh deep and deeper in places.  The weather is a bit unsettled right now so she was also warned that the chance of flash flood was great and there was no where to go to get out of the water.  Those things coupled with the fact you cannot drive your own car into the park, you have to ride on a park bus with 100 of your closest friends to the absolute terminus of the park made us decide not to attempt it.  But still even with the crowds it is a beautiful place so we drove out Rt 9 eastward switchbacking up the cliff and then through 2 tunnels.  The main tunnel was built in 1930 to allow travel out east of the park through a blind canyon towards Bryce and Grand Canyons.  It is 1.1 miles long and was restricted to one way traffic as any large vehicle such as a tour bus or RV has to be escorted through and drive right in the center of the road to avoid scraping the roof of the tunnel.  Pretty cool.  The scenery is fantastic, majestic sheer rock walls with stone that looks like it has been melted and flowed into place.

This is one of the "windows" out of the tunnel

It was a beautiful drive although the road was packed with people.  We got back in time to welcome Nancy and CT's arrival, and had a wonderful visit.

We all got an early start in the morning to first have breakfast and then drive up north through the park on the Kolob Terrace Road to the Kolob Reservoir.  Again, gorgeous views in the varying scenery.

Great vistas

Through an old fire

Dense Aspen groves

 We are seeing more and more signs of fall with the foliage changing, the bright patches of Aspen are intense.

We got to the reservoir  and looking at the map we decided to continue north on dirt and  visit Cedar Breaks National Monument, where none of us had ever been.  It turned out to be an adventure, all on a dusty dirt road of which CT and Nancy got the brunt of, as they were following us in their car!  With the added frustration of a locked gate several miles in, added up to a 105 mile, mostly dirt trip to Cedar Breaks!  But it was fantastic, even with the brisk wind and 50 degree temps.

Incredible views

The colors are amazing!

Very cool, temp as well:)

 Our picnic that we had planned worked out to us being parked side by side in our Jeeps and eating in our respective vehicles, of course passing the Great Poupon back and forth.

We then cut back down to the campground by driving south on the North Fork Road that intersects with RT 9 and goes in the eastern entrance of Zion, so we got to experience that end of the park again.  We got an added thrill when 10-15 Bighorn sheep were passing through.  

The boys

and the girls

 It was a long day but exceptional scenery and great weather.  It was great buzzing around with Nancy and CT!