Day 36: Grand Western Adventure

Day 36: Sunday, May 18th
Leaving Grand Canyon heading to Zion National Park Distance: 150 miles; Time: 3 hours
Total Distance to Date: 2,623

Route taken: Leaving the Grand Canyon Campground at the North Rim, we headed north retracing our steps to Jacob Lake on hwy 67. At Jacob Lake, we turned left onto hwy 89A and picked up hwy 389 in Fredonia. Then we passed through Pipe Spring and Colorado City. When we crossed the state line into UT, the hwy became hwy 59. Once we came to Hurricane, UT, we turned right onto hwy 9 and drove up several switchbacks to get us up onto a higher elevation and onward to Zion. The Virgin River could be seen on the right at several points along the road. We're here. (Two years ago when we were here last, we drove the RV into and out of Zion via hwy 9 from the east side of the park. There was a one mile tunnel and several steep switchbacks giving the viewer stunning scenery, plus several minutes of "white knuckles" and tension. Mom gave her advise to not drive the RV through this tunnel this time, wanting nothing to do with that tunnel. Thus we took a slightly longer route entering Zion from the "safer" side on the west.) Much easier to do. The tunnel is not wide enough for a RV to pass oncoming traffic, so the rangers must stop oncoming traffic through the tunnel and escort the RV. They also charge about $15.00 to do this service. 

Mike flew into Las Vegas, NV and rented a car and drove out 166 miles to reach us in Zion. He and I stayed at the Driftwood Lodge just on the outskirts of Zion, while Mom, Dad, Natalie and Adam stayed at Zion Canyon Campground. 

Somewhat cloudy skies and we're leaving the Grand Canyon. 

Look at the various flat top mesas in the background.

Coming off the Grand Canyon, we descended onto the valley floor near Fredonia.

The road to Zion.

First views of the Zion mountains near the park.

Looked surreal.

Simply beautiful. Indescribable.