19 April 2018
BLM
We take off for a drive on The Zion – Mount Carmel Highway. It is a 25 mile long road with a 1.1 mile long tunnel. The road runs from the entrance to Zion National Park eastward to Mount Carmel Junction with U.S. Route 89.
National Park charges $15.00 for over sized vehicles (think BFT…) to be escorted through the Tunnel . Because, while the tunnel is two lanes and sort of curvy, there have been some serious and fatal vehicle accidents through the years. So now there is traffic in one direction at a time. Also a Park Ranger is stationed at each end of the tunnel. We rolled up, showed our ticket for passage, the wait was only about five minutes. We saw when the last vehicle exited the tunnel, and then we were allowed to proceed. I still do not get the fee, as cars were following me, and there was still only traffic in one direction. Oh well, what’s $15.00?
The drive was spectacular. Canyons on both sides of the road, with the sun shining on them lighting the canyon walls up. Again, pictures do not do justice to what we are seeing.
We are always on the lookout for wildlife and we were not disappointed this time. We saw about six Big Horn Sheep grazing and climbing on the canyon walls. The best was watching the baby sheep getting around.
Enjoy the pictures.
A side “window” in the tunnel to let in light.
