Day Two - St, George To West Jordan (Day Two)
Today we took a detour through Zion National Park and drove Highway 89 until we reconnected with I15 just south of Spanish Creek Utah.
360 miles...
Our first destination was Zion National Park which is located in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile (590 km2) park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to half a mile (800 m) deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The lowest elevation is 3,666 ft (1,117 m) at Coalpits Wash and the highest elevation is 8,726 ft (2,660 m) at Horse Ranch Mountain. Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, the park's unique geography and variety of life zones allow for unusual plant and animal diversity.
Springdale (Entrance To Zion)
Springdale is a town in Washington County, Utah, United States. The population was 529 at the 2010 census. It is located immediately outside the boundaries of Zion National Park, and is oriented around the resulting tourist industry. It was originally settled as a Mormon farming community in 1862. Springdale was named one of the 20 'prettiest towns' in the United States by Forbes Traveler in 2008. Website
Driving Through The Park ON Mt. Carmel Highway
Just a litttle north of St. George, we caught Highway 9 (The Mount Carmel Highway) which goes throuh Zion National Park. It was originally built in the early 1900's and is narrow to say the least!
In 1919, a Congressional bill designating Zion National Park was signed into law. In 1923 the task of finding a way to open Zion Canyon to the east side of the park began. Four different routes were considered including two options through Parunuweap and another through North Creek. The route chosen went up the side of Pine Creek canyon on switchbacks, through a tunnel and then along Clear Creek to the east boundary of the park, and hence to US-89 at Mount Carmel Junction.
Construction work on the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway began in 1927. The tunnel especially was considered quite an engineering feat for the time, requiring boring 5,613 feet (1,711 m) through solid rock. July 4, 1930, the tunnel and highway were dedicated, linking Zion Canyon to the land east of the park and making it easier to visit Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks.
Inhaling was a good idea when going through the tunnels
Mount Carmel Highway.... Twisty Turnie!
Go North Young Man... Go North!
Now we head north on State Hignwah 89 for about 350 miles.
Mount Carmel Junction and Mount Carmel (elevation 5,203 feet) are unincorporated communities located 12 miles east of Zion National Park and 17 miles north of Kanab in Kane County, Utah, United States. They lie in close proximity to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
Mount Carmel from the air
Coming around the corner when she comes
Orderville is a town in Kane County, Utah, United States. The population was 596 at the 2000 census. The town was founded and operated under the United Order of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No Website!
Orderville museum of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers
City limits
Glendale is a town in Kane County, Utah, United States. The population was 355 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Glendale, Scotland, the native home of a large share of the early settlers. No Website!
Downtown Glendale
Panguitch /ˈpeɪŋɡwɪtʃ/ is a city in and the county seat of Garfield County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,623 at the 2000 census.
Panguitch was first settled in March 1864, when Jens Nielsen, a Danish convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), led a group of pioneers eastward from Parowan and Beaver to the Sevier River. Due to the area's high elevation, 6,600 feet above sea level, the settlers' initial crops did not mature and the community suffered severely during the first harsh winter.
At a crisis point, seven men left the community to seek flour and foodstuffs from surrounding communities. Heavy snow forced the abandonment of wagons and teams, and the men finished their rescue mission on foot, reportedly by laying one quilt after another upon the snow to maintain their footing. Website
Circleville is a town in Piute County, Utah, United States. The population was 505 at the 2000 census. Circleville was originally settled in 1864. The town was named for the shape of the valley in which it is located, Circle Valley. The valley is completely circled by mountains except where the Sevier River goes in and out of the valley on the north and south. Website
Circleville Fire Department at the ready
Marysvale is a town in Piute County, Utah. The population was 381 at the 2000 census. Marysvale is a trail head for the Paiute ATV Trail. Website
The center of town
Joseph is a town in Sevier County, Utah, United States. The population was 269 at the 2000 census. The town was named for Joseph Angell Young, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph was settled in 1871. No Website!
Welcome sign for the town of Joseph, Utah, United States
The Parker Farm
Salina is a city in Sevier County, Utah, United States. The population was 2,393 at the 2000 census. Website
City Hall
Centerfield is a city in Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,048 at the 2000 census. Although Centerfield was a town in 2000, it has since been classified as a fifth-class city by state law. Website
City Hall
Manti /ˈmæntaɪ/ is a city in and the county seat of Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 3,276 at the 2010 United States Census. Website
Birdseye view of Manti and the Sanpete Valley
Ephraim is a city in Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 6,135 at the 2010 census, making it the largest city in Sanpete County. It is the location of Snow College and is located along U.S. Route 89. Website
Shops along main street
Spring City is a city in Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 956 at the 2000 census. Although it is still largely a farming town, Spring City is becoming increasingly known as an artist community . Website
The Old Schoolhouse
Thistle is a ghost town in Utah County, Utah, United States, about 65 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. During the era of steam locomotives, the town's primary industry was servicing trains for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.
The remnants of hte Thistle Schoolhouse
Spanish Fork is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 36,956 as of the 2013 census. Website
West Jordan is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. West Jordan is a rapidly growing suburb of Salt Lake City and has a mixed economy. Website
Now it is time to visit and dine.
