Miatafun's 2007 National Park Grand Tour

Day 3 to 5

Tuesday, May 15

We will spend the morning and early afternoon exploring Zion National Park – www.nps.gov/zion.   At the western edge of the Colorado Plateau, Zion was formed when tectonic activity on the Hurricane Fault pushed up the layers of rock and simultaneously water from the Virgin River eroded that rock away.

Because of the varieties of activities and individual interests, the exploration of Zion National Park will be done independently.  We will drive into the park to the visitor’s center and from there you take the free shuttle into the canyon.

Mid-afternoon, we will gather at the visitor’s center.  From here we will drive on to our next stop.  Leaving Zion we wind our way up the canyon wall before driving through an awesome mile long tunnel.

We will spend the next three nights at Ruby’s Inn near Bryce – www.rubysinn.com.

 Total mileage for day = 95                              

Wednesday, May 16

Bryce Canyon National Park is an amazing tiny jewel in the awe-inspiring crown of geological wonder known as Utah.  But don’t let its small size fool you.  The top of the plateau, or mesa, where we will be staying looks a lot like the Southern California Mountains we are used to – rolling, covered in green pine trees.  At 8,000+ elevation, the air is cool compared to yesterday.  Then you pull out to a viewpoint on the east side of the plateau and you are dumb-struck by the revelation.  There below the rim are hundreds, no thousands, of red sandstone hoodoos.  Carved by years if snow, rain and wind from the layer known to geologists as the Claron Formation, for the novice explorer they will leave you speechless.

We have allotted a whole day for independent exploration.  You will have the options of hiking, horseback riding or just watching the sun and shadows play on sandstone hoodoos.  To see what is available, check out www.nps.gov/brca.

Total mileage for day = +/-36

Thursday, May17

Utah has a great variety of scenery and today we will be driving some of the local roads, enjoying the clean air, sunshine and twisty roads.  Along the way we will stop to see the Cedar Breaks National Monument – www.nps.gov/cebr.  This little National Monument has been recommended by Bill Bryant but not yet seen by Tom & Marna.

Since we are staying another night at the same hotel, this run is optional. You may prefer to stay and continue to explore Bryce Canyon National Park.

Total mileage for day = 185

Tomorrow we head to Moab to sign in for the "Moab III Event"