Zion National Park
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On January 15, 2016, Kennedy and I visited Zion National Park in Utah while on our Explore America West Coast Road Trip (part two of the Winter Road Trip).
This was my first time in the south west part of the state. Before this trip I heard great things about the scenery in this region. From what I saw online, the park was very mountainous and had a beautiful river running through it. Needless to say, I was very excited to see what nature had in store for us. |
The day prior, Kennedy and I were in Las Vegas where we met up with a small group of people for some trail rides in the FJ Cruiser. That night we took Vegas for about $26.00 and quickly left before Vegas had a chance to take it back. We put our winnings to good use buying fuel for our drive to Zion, which is located about 160 miles northeast of Sin City.
We arrived at the entrance of Zion National Park bright and early, eager to start our adventure. As we approached the gate I noticed a nice yellow FJ Cruiser parked just beyond the Ranger station. As I stopped, a National Park Ranger poked her out and said, "nice FJ! That's my yellow one parked over there", at which point we immediately became best friends!
Usually you pull up, pay your fee and drive off, but not this time. Oh no, this day was different, we were talking about our rigs and all the cool places we had taken them! As the conversation began to wind down (still stopped at the gate) the Ranger leaned out the window and noticed all the patches stuck to my headliner. She asked where I got them and I responded with, "most of them our places we have visited and the others are patches we design and sell". After seeing our collection and hearing stories associated with some of them, she told us to hold on a second and then she scampered off out of site. When she returned she had a National Park Service patch in her hand and gave it to me. Judging by the freshly cut threads, it was obvious the patch had had just been removed from a uniform or jacket (hopefully a co-worker!).
This was no doubt an awesome gesture and I wanted to show my appreciation. Before the road trip, Metal Tech 4x4 was kind enough to supply several cases of their pint glasses and other swag for me to give out while doing scheduled meet and greets (like the one in Vegas a day before) that I set up before leaving. I also had extra of our own stickers and patches. I quickly gathered everything, handed her two pint glasses full of goodies, exchanged hi-fives, and we were on our way!
We arrived at the entrance of Zion National Park bright and early, eager to start our adventure. As we approached the gate I noticed a nice yellow FJ Cruiser parked just beyond the Ranger station. As I stopped, a National Park Ranger poked her out and said, "nice FJ! That's my yellow one parked over there", at which point we immediately became best friends!
Usually you pull up, pay your fee and drive off, but not this time. Oh no, this day was different, we were talking about our rigs and all the cool places we had taken them! As the conversation began to wind down (still stopped at the gate) the Ranger leaned out the window and noticed all the patches stuck to my headliner. She asked where I got them and I responded with, "most of them our places we have visited and the others are patches we design and sell". After seeing our collection and hearing stories associated with some of them, she told us to hold on a second and then she scampered off out of site. When she returned she had a National Park Service patch in her hand and gave it to me. Judging by the freshly cut threads, it was obvious the patch had had just been removed from a uniform or jacket (hopefully a co-worker!).
This was no doubt an awesome gesture and I wanted to show my appreciation. Before the road trip, Metal Tech 4x4 was kind enough to supply several cases of their pint glasses and other swag for me to give out while doing scheduled meet and greets (like the one in Vegas a day before) that I set up before leaving. I also had extra of our own stickers and patches. I quickly gathered everything, handed her two pint glasses full of goodies, exchanged hi-fives, and we were on our way!
Just like other places I have visited during the winter, there were not to many people there. In fact, no other vehicle showed up to the main gate the whole time we were there talking with the Ranger. That is one of the benefits of visiting outside the normal tourist season.
Back to Zion. The clouds were dark and low, covering most of the mountain peaks. There were small breaks here and there, allowing for short glimpses of what hide underneath. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, a cool, brisk wind and the park was empty, all the makings for a perfect daytime adventure in one of Americas top National Parks!
Back to Zion. The clouds were dark and low, covering most of the mountain peaks. There were small breaks here and there, allowing for short glimpses of what hide underneath. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, a cool, brisk wind and the park was empty, all the makings for a perfect daytime adventure in one of Americas top National Parks!
As morning turned into afternoon the clouds dissipated and the sun began to warm the area. We continued further down the main road, stopping periodically to appreciate the views. Our elevation began to rise as we got deeper into the park. This allowed us to see over terrain that we could not see over before. Staring off into the distance, it seemed like endless peaks, one after the other for as far as the eye could see.
The only noise we heard was that of nature. Normally you have some type of distraction to prevent you from fully appreciating what is in front of you. Seeing how it was just us, along with a few other people scattered throughout the park, we did not have anything to take away from the moment. It was sensory overload and our "cave man" brains took over. Here is an except from our conversation:
The only noise we heard was that of nature. Normally you have some type of distraction to prevent you from fully appreciating what is in front of you. Seeing how it was just us, along with a few other people scattered throughout the park, we did not have anything to take away from the moment. It was sensory overload and our "cave man" brains took over. Here is an except from our conversation:
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- Baker, "wow, look at that!"
- Kennedy, "dude!" - Baker, "oh man!" - Kennedy, "I know!" - Baker, "dude!" - Kennedy, "yup!" - Baker, "adult word!" - Kennedy, "adult word!" - Baker, "why are those people staring at us?" - Kennedy, shoulder shrug |
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That continued on for several minutes and that same type of conversation happened multiple times during our journey there. To the three people we may have offended that day by our language, all I can say is #sorrynotsorry.
After composing ourselves, we loaded back in the FJ and continued up the road towards Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which is an experience in and of itself. It is a 1.1 mile long tunnel that allows direct access from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon by using the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Since its opening in 1930 it has funneled traffic to and from these parks and other places, causing it to become one of the busiest areas within Zion.
One of the most unique and captivating features built into the tunnel is the openings on the edge side. Not only do these openings allow natural light to flood portions of the tunnel, but they also give drivers and passengers amazing views of the park. Traffic flow can be controlled by Park Rangers and they urge drivers not to stop inside the tunnel.
After composing ourselves, we loaded back in the FJ and continued up the road towards Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which is an experience in and of itself. It is a 1.1 mile long tunnel that allows direct access from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon by using the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Since its opening in 1930 it has funneled traffic to and from these parks and other places, causing it to become one of the busiest areas within Zion.
One of the most unique and captivating features built into the tunnel is the openings on the edge side. Not only do these openings allow natural light to flood portions of the tunnel, but they also give drivers and passengers amazing views of the park. Traffic flow can be controlled by Park Rangers and they urge drivers not to stop inside the tunnel.
Size matters! Although this tunnel was designed to accommodate larger vehicles, it does have a hight limit of 13 feet and 1 inch, anything over that is prohibited. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic is also prohibited. If you have what they refer to as an "oversize vehicle" you might need to pay an additional $15.00 fee for passage through the tunnel. You can get more information on that when you purchase your entrance ticket.
After taking the tunnel to the other side of the park and doing a bit of exploring, we turned around and made our way back to the main gate. It was later in the day at this point and we knew the remaining sun light would not last too much longer. Our goal was to leave Zion and get back on the road before nightfall.
After taking the tunnel to the other side of the park and doing a bit of exploring, we turned around and made our way back to the main gate. It was later in the day at this point and we knew the remaining sun light would not last too much longer. Our goal was to leave Zion and get back on the road before nightfall.
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Well, nature had other plans for us. Earlier in the day as we began our adventure we crossed over the river flowing through Zion. Although it was pretty then, it did not stop me in my tracks.
On our way out we traveled the same path across the river, but this time the sites were different. By pure accident we managed to catch the sun setting behind the mountains in the distance. As the sun fell lower and lower, certain parts of the landscape were brightly painted by sun, while everything else hid in the shadows. The mixture of glowing mountain |
peaks, along with the dark greens in the vegetation, and the reflection of light bouncing off the river made for a spectacular scene that literally stopped me in my tracks.
The whole day was amazing, but the sunset we were gifted with was the cherry on the top. I would say in terms of spectacular sunsets, this one was only rivaled by those we saw at Horseshoe Bend, Yellowstone National Park, Meteor Crater, White Sands National Monument, or Devils Tower. If you have not visited Zion National Park, we would highly recommend you make a trip and stay around to watch the sunset.
The whole day was amazing, but the sunset we were gifted with was the cherry on the top. I would say in terms of spectacular sunsets, this one was only rivaled by those we saw at Horseshoe Bend, Yellowstone National Park, Meteor Crater, White Sands National Monument, or Devils Tower. If you have not visited Zion National Park, we would highly recommend you make a trip and stay around to watch the sunset.
- For more information on the U.S. National Park System and its history, read our article by clicking here: United States National Parks.
- To learn more about Zion, visit the National Park Services website by clicking here: Zion National Park
Just because this story is finished, does not mean the adventure is. We have additional content down below, along with an interactive comment section at the bottom of the page. Feel free to stay with us a little longer and continue your journey through the Zion National Park!
Sources: NPS.gov
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- Please help us reach more people by liking and sharing this article on social media! -
Gallery
*Explore America West Coast Road Trip (part two of the Winter Road Trip, 2016)*
Second Trip
On September 18, 2017, Derise and I visited Zion National Park while on our Bourn Adventure / Metal Tech Coast-2-Coast Road Trip. This was my second time visiting here and his first. Just like the first trip, we drove in from Las Vegas where we won a little coin and saw a UFO. The weather was beautiful and the park was busy, but not to crowded, which gave us plenty of opportunities to Capture the Journey!
Metal Tech 4x4 was kind enough to lend us their Lexus GX470 to use for this trip. Now you might asking yourself, "wait, why would they do that?" to which I will reply with, "great question, let me tell you!". Metal Tech 4x4 designs, builds, and sells accessories for Toyota off road vehicles. They have been an industry leader in the off road world for more than a decade and frequently attend off road related events across the nation.
This year, 2017, they wanted their built 2005, Lexus GX470 showcased in their booth at Overland Expo East, which was being hosted at the Biltmore Estate located in Asheville, NC. In order to get the GX from their shop in Oregon to the Expo, they handed Bourn Adventure the keys and said, "we'll see you in North Carolina!". Although that seems simple enough, we had larger plans then just driving straight there.
Before flying into Oregon to pick up the Lexus, I created a trip route that would take us through 15 states and planed an itinerary that would keep us on the road for approximately 18 days. This adventure was a true coast-to-coast trip where we touched both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans while on the road. Within those 18 days we met up with numerous people and off road groups across the United States for coffee, camping, wheeling, site seeing, and cold beers. From start to finish we traveled approximately 6,200 miles and created content for Metal Tech 4x4 which they still use to this day for marketing purposes.
It was a great way to Explore America a little more, while showing off the capabilities of their rig and get other people around the country involved in this epic adventure. And that is how we ended up back at Zion National Park!
This year, 2017, they wanted their built 2005, Lexus GX470 showcased in their booth at Overland Expo East, which was being hosted at the Biltmore Estate located in Asheville, NC. In order to get the GX from their shop in Oregon to the Expo, they handed Bourn Adventure the keys and said, "we'll see you in North Carolina!". Although that seems simple enough, we had larger plans then just driving straight there.
Before flying into Oregon to pick up the Lexus, I created a trip route that would take us through 15 states and planed an itinerary that would keep us on the road for approximately 18 days. This adventure was a true coast-to-coast trip where we touched both the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans while on the road. Within those 18 days we met up with numerous people and off road groups across the United States for coffee, camping, wheeling, site seeing, and cold beers. From start to finish we traveled approximately 6,200 miles and created content for Metal Tech 4x4 which they still use to this day for marketing purposes.
It was a great way to Explore America a little more, while showing off the capabilities of their rig and get other people around the country involved in this epic adventure. And that is how we ended up back at Zion National Park!
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Without a doubt, Zion looked and felt different during the fall than it did during the winter. Of course there was no snow on the ground which changed the landscape some, but the most noticeable change was the sound.
This time you could hear more people and other noises associated with large groups, unlike the last time. Then it was pretty much just us and the three people we offended with too many adult words. |
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Having said that, it was not so loud that it hindered our enjoyment any and at times I did not even notice the extra noise. The beauty located within the park has a way of temporarily drowning out all the sounds. The colors here are so vivid and the terrain is so massive that you get lost just standing still. It almost seems fake at times and I have only really experienced that same feeling at the Grand Canyon National Park, Top of the World, Glacier National Park, and Petra.
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Just like other National Parks, there are plenty of areas to pull off or park so you can get out and walk around or take pictures. Occasionally, you will have a vehicle stop in the roadway to snap a shot or two. I cannot get too mad about that because I have been known to do the same thing a time or twelve myself.
Using one of those above mentioned areas, we parked the GX and hiked down away from the road, which is where the picture on the left was taken. Looking around we could see trails running all over the area. Unfortunately, we did not have time to explore them. We walked back to the Lexus and continued our drive through the park. The route through Zion provides spectacular views from the vehicle. |
Like I mentioned earlier, this was Derises first time visiting Zion and he absolutely loved it. So much so, that he planned a road trip in 2018 with his wife and daughter so they could experience this magnificent place for themselves. They also saw other parts of the country with their main destination being California to spend time with family.
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Our time here was short due to us needed to get back on the road to keep with our timeline and future meetups. We enjoyed our day here and before leaving, we stopped off at the river for some pictures.
Standing on the river bridge and looking south is probably one of my favorite spots within Zion, especially later in the day. We were not able to catch the sunset, but it was still an enjoyable moment. |
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This was our first time working with another company to do a promotional style road trip. I would like to thank Metal Tech 4x4 for the opportunity to travel across this great country of ours, while representing their company and entrusting us with their equipment, especially since I rolled my own FJ Cruiser at the beginning of 2017. To read that story, click HERE
We hope to do many more and look forward to future endeavors with Metal Tech 4x4. To learn more about them and see their wide range of products, please visit their website at: www.metaltech4x4.com
We hope to do many more and look forward to future endeavors with Metal Tech 4x4. To learn more about them and see their wide range of products, please visit their website at: www.metaltech4x4.com
- Please help us reach more people by liking and sharing this article on social media! -
Second Trip Gallery
Some pictures courtesy of John Derise Photography.
*Bourn Adventure / Metal Tech Coast-2-Coast Road Trip (2017)*
*Bourn Adventure / Metal Tech Coast-2-Coast Road Trip (2017)*
Bourn Adventure Postcards
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Not only do we document our travels, but we also sell rad stickers, patches, and other products as a way to help others show off their adventures!
Going to the mountains? We have a patch for that! Going camping? We have a sticker for that! Sun beating down on your head? You guessed it; we have a hat for that! |
Click on the picture to see our other postcard adventures!
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Since we launched our store in 2012, we have shipped products all over the United States and to more than 30 countries. To see all the places our products are in use, please click here: BAG Products World Map. We are blessed to have so many people around the globe rocking Bourn Adventure Gear. We wanted a way to personally thank them for their order.
Our solution was to create Bourn Adventure postcards. This allowed us the opportunity to give each order a personal touch while continuing to share adventures from all over the world. We breathe new life in our postcards by periodically changing destinations and showcasing new locations. Each postcard series is assigned a number and runs for a limited time. Once that particular postcard is gone, it is done!
We selected Zion National Park to be featured as our BA 2017 postcard series #1! Customers have told us of conversations generated by the postcards hanging on their refrigerator or in their office. Hearing that something so simple could spark curiosity and encourage adventure brings a smile to our faces.
To place an order and get your Bourn Adventure postcard, please visit our retail site: Bourn Adventure Gear
Our solution was to create Bourn Adventure postcards. This allowed us the opportunity to give each order a personal touch while continuing to share adventures from all over the world. We breathe new life in our postcards by periodically changing destinations and showcasing new locations. Each postcard series is assigned a number and runs for a limited time. Once that particular postcard is gone, it is done!
We selected Zion National Park to be featured as our BA 2017 postcard series #1! Customers have told us of conversations generated by the postcards hanging on their refrigerator or in their office. Hearing that something so simple could spark curiosity and encourage adventure brings a smile to our faces.
To place an order and get your Bourn Adventure postcard, please visit our retail site: Bourn Adventure Gear
