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The Multiple Monument Madcap Meander
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As one of the website or leaflets noted, the biggesst difference between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, is that in the former, one is looking down, whereas in Zion one spends most of the time looking up - Here you are in the canyon looking up at the spectacular rock formation all around you.
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In order to avoid the huge traffic jambs of old, the park has banned private vehicles and tourist busses from the main canyon. Instead they provide shuttle buses running on LPG. Each bus can take two bikes, so the best way to get around it your bikes on the bus, get off at the last stop and ride/roll all the way back down to the visitors center and campl ground.
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As you near the head of the canyon it becomes narrower until one usually reaches a point where the last mile of the trail is visited by walking along the creek bed into the ever narrowing gorge. However, this part was closed due to the strong run-off so we only got to the end of the wheel chair accessible trail. But that was niche enough. Then we walked back, collected our bikes, and rode on the empty road (one bus every 6 minutes or so) back down to the campsite. It was what a bike ride should be!
The entire road to ourselves, apart from the occasional Turkey.
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Both campsites were totally booked, but as the sun set, and before we headed out of the park, I wandered over to see if there had been any cancellations. There hadn't, but they had decided to open up the unbooked group campsite to the first 5 cars that were still around, so we managed to join in with 4 others and spend the night there after all.
Like Red Canyon there is a wonderful paved bike trail away from the public section of the road, so that one can ride or walk in safety, crossing the river a couple of times on dedicated pedestrian / bike bridges - and stopping to pat the occasional dog.
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| The Friday morning, we headed off to join I-15 north, but pulled off at the Western Entrance of Zion National Park to see the Kolob Canyons. It was an uphill 4 mile drive from the visitors center, so off came one of the bikes, and Sherna followed me as I rolled back down the road through the stunning scenery back to the Visitors centre. |
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