Morris & Sheryl's blog: Zion Nation Park, Utah

We left the Grand Canyon this morning around 9AM and headed north for Zion Nation Park in Utah. It was about 270 miles and I told Sheryl that it should be an easy one day trip. The drive was soooo beautiful I started to think it might take two days to get there due to us stopping so many times to ooooh & ahhhhh and take photos. We left the Grand Canyon south rim and headed out AZ-64 to the east and then AZ-89 north. This area for hundreds of miles in every direction belongs to the Navajo Indian Nation. We continued north and caught 89A that runs back to the west. We were basically on the north side of the Grand Canyon. We crossed several mountain passes, passing through the towns of Jacob Lake, Fredonia, and Kanab. We then took Hwy-9 to the main entrance of Zion Nation Park. Then the fun started. We paid our park entrance fee and were told that our motorhome and tow-vehicle (Jeep) was too long for the up-coming tunnel. Nothing over 50 feet can pass through the tunnel. We would have to disconnect the Jeep and Sheryl would have to drive it through the tunnel while I drove the motorhome. For some reason the Jeep would not start, we had to jump-start it. Seems fine now. I also had to pay an additional $15.00 for an "escort fee" to the park service due to the size of the motorhome. After disconnecting the Jeep, I headed for the tunnel and Sheryl followed. Upon approaching the tunnel there was a check station maned by Park Rangers and I was stopped. They checked my $15.00 permit and told me to wait. This escort fee is due to them having to close the tunnel so it's completely clear of traffic before I could pass through it. The reason? The tunnel top clearance at the centerline is 13'1", the dome shaped edges were 11'3". Our motorhome is 12'3" high and 8.6' wide. I had to drive down the centerline of the road making sure I didn't wonder to the sides as I would hit the top! This tunnel was not concrete, it was carved out of the mountain, plus there were several sharp curves in the tunnel. I have to say, that was an experience. Upon exiting the tunnel I was able to breath again. The mountains, cliffs, and gorges that appeared were unbelievable. This place is so beautiful, words cannot describe. We found an RV park with an available spot right on the Virgin River, so, this will be home for the next three days. I will post some photographs tomorrow.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Up early, had our coffee and jumped in the Jeep. Made a 20 mile run to Hurricane, Utah for groceries at Walmart. Spent the better part of the day driving around the park and even found a few jeep/four-wheeler trails to checkout. Photographs can never do places like this justice, you just have to see it for yourself!

Tomorrow we are off to Bryce Canyon. GREAT! I get to transit the tunnel again.