The Zion Tunnel

Last night, we went to one of the social events they hold at the Zion River Resort. While we were enjoying the snacks, we chatted with a couple from San Diego. They described driving through the tunnel and the hike they took at the end. We told them about hiking the Narrows. Off they went to rent water equipment and we had our plan for today. We were up and out by 8:00!

The drive out HWY 9, through Zion National Park is simply beautiful. The tunnel was pretty cool, too- with the periodic view windows to provide the only light in the whole 1.1 mile tunnel (carved through the mountain in 1930!).

We also did the hike at the end- which has more amazing scenery. It was a bit freaky (because of the heights and sharp drop-offs) in a few places; I had to hug the rock face.

There was one part of the path that was 4 x 6 planks out over NOTHING! Obviously, they have no fear!

 (There was one poor guy hiking up with a companion- obviously he had a major fear of heights, because as we passed him on our way down, he said he hoped it was a loop and that they wouldn't have to come back down. Then we could hear as he was hitting one of the more severe drops [along a narrow rock path with a iron fence] and making noises of distress. Shortly after that, his companion came past us going down in a hurry (huff?)  and we saw the poor guy sitting in a shady corner in hat over his face and sobbing; apparently he just couldn't do it. I felt for him!)

As you can see, Joe doesn't have any fear of heights. I have to resist the urge to pull him back from places like this one- eeek!

Some other shots from the path up and from the top of the trail. It was completely worth the patches of anxiety!

Since today was our last full day at Zion, Joe also wanted to do a short hike that his reading had indicated was "not to be missed". We spent the heat of the afternoon in air conditioning and headed out at 7:45 pm. There were only a few of us on the shuttle bus. The "hike" turned out to be a walk of less than 5 minutes. We decided to head to the Museum of History to watch the 22 minute video. The shuttle we ended up catching was full of large adolescent boys. Luckily the shuttle driver was a match for them.

We saw a nice mule deer buck- and heard that the museum was closed. We also listened to information about the Pa'rus trail- and decided to get off at the museum and take the .6 mile hike back to the truck in the evening heat. It was a lovely way to end  our visit to Zion.