Impromptu Zion National Park Jaunt

[Moody]

Friday at 6pm, Hilary says to me, "We should have planned to go somewhere this weekend." I replied, "Let's go somewhere right now!" "Even though you have chicken on the grill?" she said. "Yes!" I said, "Let's go to Zion."

So we did it. In haste, we left little Zander's bag at home, so we had to buy some clothes for him, took a dirt road out of the area, near Rockville, caught lots of sun, relaxed.
Very rejuvenating.

Shuttles aren't running yet, so we were able to drive into the main canyon:

 

[Moody]

A few more:

And the dirt road out of Rockville, excellent views of the park:

 

[Moody]

One tired out kid:

 

[Elvota]

Must be nice to have Zion in your "backyard". One of our favorite places to visit from AZ.

Any more details on the dirt road you took?

 

[Moody]

Any more details on the dirt road you took?

Just outside of the park entrance, the small town named Rockville has a turnoff (200 East Street). You can go to a little ghost town, Grafton-or continue on. We didn't stop at Grafton. Essentially takes you from UT 9 to UT 59. Lets you out approx 12 miles from Hurricane.

 

[Elvota]

That must be S of Rockville.... right? I think Gooseberry Mesa is there. We have ridden bikes and camped in that area. I'll have to look at a map to see if I can use that road in the future.

If you MTB, there is a really nice trail network tucked back in there. Not very long, but some good technical sections intermixed with slickrock. Amazing views of Zion to boot.

 

[Willman]

Nice Moody!!

You need to call me on these types of trips!!!

Nice shots!!!

:safari-rig:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Nice

I was stuck home... still cleaning the mud off my truck from last weeks Swell fiasco.

So where did you run into my old rig?

 

[kcowyo]

Zion is amazing. Nice shots of the family.

Good call for a quick getaway weekend. :smiley_drive:

 

[Moody]

Nice

So where did you run into my old rig?

I saw it and met the new owner, Brent? at the hotel we stayed at.

 

[Moody]

Nice Moody!!

You need to call me on these types of trips!!!

:safari-rig:

I will do so on the next trip. It was SO nice down there...I was -almost- too hot in long pants, but I was in a t-shirt and chacos.:ylsmoke:

 

[Moody]

That must be S of Rockville.... right? I think Gooseberry Mesa is there. We have ridden bikes and camped in that area. I'll have to look at a map to see if I can use that road in the future.

If you MTB, there is a really nice trail network tucked back in there. Not very long, but some good technical sections intermixed with slickrock. Amazing views of Zion to boot.

No, the road left right out of Rockville. I saw a few different places I would have loved to camp. We would have brought our bikes along had I gotten off my duff and put a hitch on there. I'd be interested in some gps coord. or location of the bike trail. We are down there quite a bit as my Grandma lives in Cedar City.

 

[Moody]

Zion is amazing. Nice shots of the family.

Good call for a quick getaway weekend. :smiley_drive:

Thanks man! We will be doing the family thing again with the Father's Day Special. :elkgrin:

 

[SOAZ]

A few more:

QUOTE]
That has to be one of the most amazing places on earth. Looks great with all of the water flowing. Looks COLD! I guess this wouldn't be the time of year to go hiking up a wash. Brrrrrr! Thanks for sharing these.
There is the CAN'T miss Huber wash just outside of the park. Its a national treasure...

Hahaha!
Tim HUBER.

 

[HongerVenture]

Sometimes these spur-of-the-moment trips are the best. Having Zion within range of such a trip is very cool!

Quite inspiring... I may need to do this next weekend.