Bill Bikes
My bicycling expeditions and jaunts

Home  News  Tours  Rides  Articles  Riders  Pix  Links  About  Search


Road Trip Utah, April 2022: Intro ::: Virgin ::: Zion ::: Road 1 ::: Road 2 ::: Gods ::: Potash ::: Road 3


Road Trip Utah: Zion National Park
26 April 2022

Because Monument Valley farther east was closed to bicycles, I wanted to find an alternative ride for a couple of hours today to go along with the drive to Mexican Hat in the southeastern corner of Utah.

In 2016 while my ace support crew was hiking Zion, I rented a bike for a short ride in the park. There aren't really many roads or paths or trails for bikes in Zion, but pedaling along the Pa'rus Trail and Zion Canyon Road from the visitor center to the Riverside Walk trailhead made for an interesting excursion along an extremely scenic route.

The Pa'rus Trail starts by the visitor center and runs north, ending at Zion Canyon Road. For most of the year—including right now—that road is closed to motorized traffic. Only bicycles and shuttle buses are allowed, with buses having the right of way. Bikes are supposed to pull over and stop whenever a bus comes up from behind. That's only a minor annoyance, because there aren't many buses.

I enjoyed that ride with its incredible scenery in 2016, and decided to do it again. In 2016, I think I only saw one other bike. This time, I ended up seeing swarms of bicycles, including a couple of tour groups on rentals. As with the Virgin River Trail yesterday, practically every bike I saw was e-assist.

Anyway, after driving about an hour from St George, I got an early start. The air proved notably chilly on my bare knees because the sun remained hidden behind the rim of the canyon. At the end of the road—no bikes allowed beyond that point—I hung out and chatted with another bicyclist while waiting for the sun to peek over the rim and brighten the scenery. I think I managed to restrain myself from taking too many photos. Then—still forcing myself not to photograph every gorgeous view along the way—it was back to the totally full parking lot by the visitor center, into the Forester, and on the way to my next stop.

My Zion 2016 ride with more photos (Opens in new window/tab)


From the north end of Zion Canyon Road by the Riverside Walk trailhead, looking south.

Waiting for the sun to climb high enough to shine down into the canyon.


Same spot, with sunshine starting to penetrate into the canyon.


Same spot, a few minutes later. Much brighter.


Same spot, with the sun fully above the eastern rim of the canyon.


From the same spot at the end of Zion Canyon Road, looking north.


Pedaling back toward the visitor center, this shot looks toward where I just was at the end of Zion Canyon Road.


Along the road on the way back.


Along the road on the way back.


Old Grumble-Face needs to get into the photo.


Along the road on the way back.


On the Pa'rus Trail, bridge over the Virgin River.

Yes, the same Virgin River where I was riding in St George yesterday.


A meadow near the visitor center.

Not bad for an "alternative" ride because I couldn't do the ride I wanted, eh?

Time to load the Ogre in the Forester and drive east.


Back to "Virgin River"          ::: :::          Continue to "Along the Road, 1"

Summary

Date: 26 April 2022
Time: 9:00 - 11:30
Weather: 40°-70° F, sunny
Route: Pa'rus Trail and Zion Canyon Road, Zion National Park, Utah
Distance: 18 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo


Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.




Road Trip Utah, April 2022: Intro ::: Virgin ::: Zion ::: Road 1 ::: Road 2 ::: Gods ::: Potash ::: Road 3

~ 104 ~



Home   News   Tours   Rides   Articles   Riders   Pix   Links   About   Search
bstone@sonic.net

Bill Stone

::: Bill Books ::: Bill Bikes ::: Bill Games ::: Copyright © 1983-2021 Bill Stone