Feeling small - part three (6 April)

With the benefit of hindsight, we should have spent just the one night in Bryce Canyon, so that we could explore Zion National Park properly.  As it was, we only had a few fleeting glimpses as we passed through on the way from Bryce to Las Vegas.  However, even just passing through was a sight to behold.

We debated endlessly in the car about which order we would place the different parks and canyons in. While the Grand Canyon is - obviously - grand in scale, Zion scores because you're very much INSIDE the canyon rather than looking in from above.

We were very lucky with our drive today, as the road between Mount Carmel and the Canyon Scenic Road closes completely next week for three weeks of road repairs, following a landslide last month.  Heaven knows how long the diversion will be.  As it was, we got to experience the totally unlit mile-long Mount Carmel Tunnel, and the switchback bends as you descend into the canyon itself.

We also got to see the Chequerboard Mesa - geology lessons are needed to understand exactly how this formed.

We were also struck with just how much solid rock there was.  This is the view from a roadside overlook, and you'll see there's a family walking their dog part-way up the mountain!

Close-up below in case you can't spot them.

Next stop, Las Vegas!