Eastward on the Zion - Mt. Carmel Highway - through the tunnel.

October 26, 2013:Eastward on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway – through the tunnel.

We take the Jeep today as we are going through the tunnel and to the east entrance of the park.  The tunnel was built in the 1920’s taking over a year to blast, excavate, and chip away rock through 1.1 miles of solid mountain to create a passageway to the east side of the park, and access to Bryce Canyon and points beyond.

The Checkboard Mesa is the main attraction on this side of the park.  This is also the home of the elusive Bighorn Sheep … and these wary critters managed to evade us today.

We drive a few miles beyond the park boundary and come across a buffalo ranch with the herd close to the road.  Here’s a nice specimen – and a bit gruff to those along the fence line trying to get his picture.

Here’s some of his pals.

Back on the road we head back to Zion.

It’s hard to get a sense of the scale of the landscape.  Here’s a couple that walked a little ways from the road.

The first “little” tunnel.

Just on the east side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel we park the Jeep and begin our hike up to Pine Creek Canyon Overlook.  We climb up the trail …

And over the walkway jutting out from the side of the mountain...

Peering down into the narrow canyon below.

We move down under the overhanging cliffs.

Onward …

And upward.

Finally, we reach the overlook.  It was worth the hike.

Viewing the switchbacks we came up earlier today … and will snake back down this afternoon.

The mountain with the mile-long tunnel is to our left.  Here’s a picture of 1 of the 6 windows blasted out of the mountain to supply the tunnel with its only source of light.

Our overlooking complete, we head back down the trail.

There’s a drop off, Jack.  Hug the wall.

Oh!  It’s only a 2 foot drop off.  Sorry – false alarm.

Back under the overhanging cliff, and down the trail to the Jeep.  Homeward bound.

What a wonderful day exploring Zion National Park's east side.  We're looking forward to our next exciting day in this marvelous park.  Until then, be safe.