We spent a couple of days in southern Utah, specifically to visit Zion Natl Park. Getting warm here, in the 90's. We are just 100+ miles from Vegas and the Grand Canyon, but the temps there are also 100+, so we decided not to visit those locales. Zion was impressive for the first 30 minutes, then it became one sandstone mountain after another. A lot of looking up from the bottom of the canyon.
Zion has a mandatory shuttle system. Vehicles are not allowed to drive through the park. While it's certainly understandable, as it limits the parking hassles, and all the other issues that go along with trying to get several thousand cars through the one road in the park, it is inconvienient. Everything you look at in Zion is overhead, and if you are STANDING on a packed shuttle bus, you don't see anything except the trees going past the windows as you drive along. It's great if you get off and do some hiking and get back on the next shuttle, which is really what is expected. But we took only one hike as it was HOT. It's the best system for the park and it works if you have a seat since you would be able to see all the scenery. But standing doesn't work so well... Lesson learned.
Zion has a mandatory shuttle system. Vehicles are not allowed to drive through the park. While it's certainly understandable, as it limits the parking hassles, and all the other issues that go along with trying to get several thousand cars through the one road in the park, it is inconvienient. Everything you look at in Zion is overhead, and if you are STANDING on a packed shuttle bus, you don't see anything except the trees going past the windows as you drive along. It's great if you get off and do some hiking and get back on the next shuttle, which is really what is expected. But we took only one hike as it was HOT. It's the best system for the park and it works if you have a seat since you would be able to see all the scenery. But standing doesn't work so well... Lesson learned.
After dinner we decided to visit Cedar Breaks, a national monument just 20 miles from our hotel. Thought the sunset would be good on the rocks. We found out it was not the easiest 20 mile drive. Uphill (just one way), to an elevation of 10,335' and looking down into a 2800' canyon of sandstone. A couple of outlooks along the west side of the drive up afforded a view west of 50 to 100 miles. When we got to the breaks we were looking north and could see the same distance there. Pretty darn close to the top of the world. (Melissa's add - the young park ranger at Zion told us about this park and "amphitheater". He said it was very cool and we should go. As we are driving up the scariest road we've been on the entire trip (makes Beartooth look like a kiddie ride), Mike said, "this better be worth it, or I'm personally going to go back to Zion and kick that little rangers butt!" It definitely was! Mike did an awesome job navagating the road. I could tell it was a little stressful for him.)
Looking North at Cedar Breaks.
Peace Out. On our way to Moab, UT & western CO. m&m
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