Biking the Zion Scenic Drive

Rinse. Repeat. We're back at the brew pub patio, showered, enjoying a tasty Pilsner (hat-tip to Joel!), waiting for a load of laundry to finish drying.

Delicious fajita dinner in camp last night. Unfortunately, our enjoyment of it was interrupted by a swarm of bees who also, apparently, thought it was a pretty tasty (or at least aromatic) meal. 

Pre-bee fajita dinner

It was windy last night, which helped cool things down a bit. We each woke up a couple times wondering if our stuff was blowing away. Otherwise, slept well and were up around 6:45 to find everything where we left it. 

Our plan today was to bike the scenic drive back up to the Grotto and do a hike that a park ranger had suggested. We decided to 'ease' into the morning - no alarm, relaxed breakfast, no firm timeline. Oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. Biking out of camp at 8:10. It was a gorgeous morning, despite the gusty headwind blowing down the canyon.

Start of the ride

The first couple miles of the ride were on the Pa'rus trail. Then we switched to the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is only accessible to shuttle buses, tour operators (mostly in large vans), and Lodge residents (up to the lodge - no higher). We stopped at the Grotto and were both enjoying the ride so much that we decided to skip the hike and continue to the end of the road at Temple of Sinawava - about an 8 mile, slightly uphill, ride from our campsite. 

Due to the above restrictions, there was very little traffic on the road. And due to the (fairly) early hour, most of the ride was shaded by the high canyon walls on either side of us, making it a comfortable temperature to ride uphill. Plus we had occasional gusts of wind in our face.

The scenery was breathtaking. It was so nice to be able to stop whenever we wanted, snap a photo, or just soak in the beauty.

Views like this around every turn

West Canyon

Just kept getting better

Mom and fawn

Crazy rock formation in the foreground

The road ends at Temple of Sinawava, which is the launch point for the 2nd most popular attraction in the park - The Narrows. We're planning to do that hike in the morning (6am shuttle - hoping to beat the crowds). We decided to walk a bit of the beginning of the trail to 'get the lay of the land'. We got to the trailhead around 9:45am. There was a steady stream of people getting off shuttle buses to start the hike. We walked about 3/4 mile, then stopped for an early lunch along the Virgin River.

Beginning of The Narrows hike

Lunch stop

The ride down was a blast (downhill always is!). It was sunnier, but not too hot. We went a lot faster, but still made a few stops to enjoy the scenery. It's amazing how the views change throughout the day as the sun passes over the canyon. 

Stop at Big Bend

The peak right of center is Angel's Landing; the lighter color (upper right) in the distance is part of West Rim that we hiked yesterday

The trail we hiked up to Angel's Landing yesterday (near center of photo); if you really zoom in, you might be able to see hikers!

We were back at camp by noon and it was starting to heat up again. Relaxed in the shade and snacked on some smoked salmon (smoked right before we left!), before biking into Springdale to rent special water/hiking shoes and neoprene socks for the hike tomorrow - after the first mile, you walk in the (shallow) Virgin River. Then shower/laundry/pilsner(x2).

On the ride today, I spent a bunch of time thinking about my older brother, Bob (aka 'Rev'), who has invited me to join him on the 300+ mile GAP ride from Pittsburgh to DC at the end of September. Wish I'd done more training over the last couple months. They'll be doing 50+ miles/day. Badass.

Sloppy Joes for dinner tonight (fingers crossed no bees!). Early to bed for a 5am(!) alarm.

Hiking: ~1mi

Biking ~17mi

Song spot:  Blowin' in the Wind (Bob Dylan)