September 28th 2012
Kanab, UT
– Panguitch, UT
Miles driven: 168
Night spent: Panguitch Inn, Panguitch, UT
Time traveled: 8.03 am – 6.19 pm
Normal morning. We got gasoline and coffee at the gas
station and started to drive towards Zion
National Park. It was
relatively short drive (less then 30 miles). The day started to look pretty
nice again (sunny and warm). I guess, we had all we needed.
Zion
National Park. We had to
drive thru the gate (and use our Annual National Park Pass, otherwise you pay
25 dollars), quite a few cars already there. The road had red asphalt, matching
all the rock around, nice.
Shortly after entering the park, we stopped and saw the
mountain (or hill) with chess board pattern. If that was small preview of
things to come, we were for the treat.
Part of the road into the park is the tunnel. It is about a
mile long and pretty narrow. For larger vehicles, the traffic has to be stopped
and run just one way. The tunnel has several “windows”, openings into the
canyons and hills. It is really cool.
And … of course … some wildlife:
We parked by the visitor’s center (parking lot was already
almost full). We looked inside, used restrooms, and experienced some technical
difficulties. Everything worked out just fine and we could board the bus. The
main part of the park is closed for private vehicles in summer season. People
have to use park’s busses to tour the park. There is several stops (either
overlooks or trails). Our first one was Emerald ponds. We walked for about half
a mile to see small waterfalls. It was cliff and the water was just raining
down. It was really beautiful picture.
The scenery was incredible. So many times we had to say,
that it looks unreal. I mean, it is hard to describe or even show on the
picture.
We stopped few times
until we got to the end. There was mile long trail going thru the canyon (and
following river). It was nice paved trail full of people. The scenery was
incredible (and partly ruined by all the people). We saw some different wild
life:
The trail ends and it is possible to continue into the
river. It would look incredibly amazing (if there would be less people).
Weeping rock was the name of another formation. Water
dripping all over the cliff and creating illusion of rain. They were incredible
views. Again, it is almost impossible to describe.
But, there was more to do in this day, so we had to finish
our tour of Zion
park and head out. We had to get back to parking lot (this time it was already
full and people were directed to town) and got into car. We had quick lunch and
left. Too many people. Driving towards freeway number 15 (connecting Las Vegas and Salt
Lake). Some nice places
and some really goofy looking places.
About 20 miles on freeway and we exited into small part of Zion called Kolob Canyons.
Quick stop by visitor’s center and more driving. It was short (about 7 miles)
scenic drive into canyon and back. It was again amazing. The canyon and red
mountains, forest and some flowers, it is hard to imagine nicer picture.
Simply, it was amazing.
Again, we had to hit the road. Driving back, looking into
the valley in front of us and then getting back on freeway. Again short time on
freeway and then turning towards Cedar
Breaks National
Monument. Smaller roads and pretty much no
information about this place.
After leaving most of the civilization behind us, we started
to see something different. There was less red rock (later it was pretty much
gone) and more trees and meadows and fields. And cows. And color. And aspen
trees changing colors. Fall is here. And J. went crazy with camera, taking
millions of pictures of trees and hills. It was incredible view, it was
beautiful and amazing.
We as well gained some elevation; we were about 10000 feet
high. It was surprising, how many cows there were. We did not see many houses,
but the nature was really pretty and incredible. And we got close to Cedar
Breaks.
Parking lot. Small cabin with the ranger. We walked towards
the overlook and saw it:
It was incredibly unreal. The road towards this wonder and
then to see it. It was more then unbelievable. Couple more stops after this
initial one and the sign with our elevation: 10460 feet. And more incredible
views.
We saw many more animals.
Houses, campground, lodge.
Pretty light traffic.
Lake with possibility of
fishing.
Driving towards Panguitch in Utah. Pretty small town. We stayed in
historic Panguitch Inn. We actually missed it first time, because it was one
story building in “downtown” area. We parked in the building and had really
historic room. It was fine.
On the way there, we saw some sheep, including black one
(who is it?).
