09-20-2018, 12:03 PM
(09-20-2018, 11:50 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: Doc, isn't Zion Canyon closed to traffic now? The only allowed traffic in the park is east-west through the tunnel, Carmel Junction to Springdale (which is awesome), but if you want to go to Zion Lodge you need to take the shuttle?
Yes, the road up to the narrow Virgin River Canyon is closed to traffic, other than shuttles, except the winter. East / west on 9 is open year round.
I have been up in the canyon, in the winter months, on different M/C, when there would have been no parking for a car/truck. There is a trail past the parking lot and restrooms. When the trail ends, walking in the river is necessary. A year or two ago, my wife discovered that her "snow boots" are NOT waterproof. Gorge so narrow, I lost satellite coverage on GPS, when we have gone up there in our truck!
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zion+N...13.0263005
Zion is beautiful, but parking is very, very limited. Being able to pull over at a narrow spot on a bike is a big plus. Last trip there (Aug 27, riding one eyed), my Vrod friend was first to notice a group (herd?) of big horn sheep fairly close to the highway, but no place to stop, even on a bike.