Western Trip..Zion National Park..Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel..Riverside Walk

Western Trip..Zion National Park..Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel..Riverside Walk… Hope this post gives you a “FEEL” for the place. I think there are enough "sky" photo to link with SkyWatch Friday & might as well link with ScenicSunday

From the east:US-89 passes east of Zion and connects with SR-9 (The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway) at Mount Carmel Junction. From there SR-9 travels through the park's east Entrance and into the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel before descending into Zion Canyon.


“Planning a trip to Zion National Park can be as challenging as exploring the park itself. The park newspaper contains a wealth of information.” CLICK FOR NEWSPAPER


The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel Construction of the 1.1 mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel began in the late 1920's and was completed in 1930. At the time that the tunnel was dedicated, on July 4, 1930, it was the longest tunnel of it's type in the United States. READ MORE

Out of the tunnel and looking back."Window” in the cliff

“Forbidden Rite Of Passage::  Some summer park workers and local teens defied a ban on pedestrians and raced through the tunnel at night, running their hands along the sides to keep their bearings in the blinding darkness. Some of those participating in Thursday's predawn Tunnel Walk admitted to having made the run in the past while naked — part of a forbidden rite of passage.” READ MORE



Quick stop to “stretch” the legs


Getting Hungry.. Time for a Picnic

From left to right: Larry,my wife Linda and sister Sara getting ready for lunch.


Always on the lookout for scenery



Zion has some of the most spectacular trails in the National Park System. Visitors to Zion walk on the canyon floor and look up, rather than looking down from the rim as in many parks.

Trail Distance: The hike is 2-miles for the round-trip but there is little elevation change and hiking is on a hard surface.
Average Hiking Time: 1.5-hours for the round-trip



Lush vegetation (ferns, trees, moss) watered by the weeping walls.

The trail starts at the Temple of Sinawava, the 8th and last stop on the Zion Canyon Shuttle.


What do these names make you think of? West Temple, Towers of the Virgin, the Altar of Sacrifice, Angel's Landing, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Peaks, Mount Majestic, Cathedral Mountain, Mystery Canyon, Mountain of Mystery, Temple of Sinawava, the Pulpit, Weeping Rock, Great White Throne, Mountain of the Sun, East Temple, the Watchman. I  think the beauty of Zion National Park is spiritual in nature.

Joe Todd & Linda reporting from the trail Zion National Park.."Gateway to the Narrows,Riverside Walk”.. As Always, Thanks for stopping by. Heading back to Carmel Junction..staying at::: Zion Mountain Ranch..Bryce Canyon National Park next.. 

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