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Bicycling: Bryce and Zion National Parks

Program Number: 4909RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/28/2013 - 10/6/2013;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Price starting at: $1,695.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Bicycling; National Parks Activity Level: n (see description)
Meals: 16; 8 Breakfasts, 0 Lunches, 8 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Experience an unforgettable bicycle journey through the rock spires, buttes and canyons of Southeast Utah. Discover Cedar Breaks National Monument, Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. Awe-inspiring, breathtaking — these words describe the dramatic rock formations and colorful canyons of Utah's Canyon Country.




Highlights

• Spend two days bicycling and hiking in the unique, rugged landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park and two days in magnificent Zion National Park.
• Bicycle through Cedar Breaks National Monument, then into Red Rocks Canyon on a peacefully winding paved path.
• A rest day in each national park affords opportunities to learn from park experts about this geologic wonderland of spires, arches, amphitheaters and hoodoos created by eroding water and wind.



Activity Particulars

Biking average of 40 miles a day. Elevations of 3,000-8,000 feet.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Cedar City, 1 night; bike to Brian Head, 1 night; bike to Panguitch, 1 night; bike to Bryce, 2 nights; bike to Carmel Junction, 1 night; bike to Springdale, 2 nights; van to Cedar City, departure.



Coordinated by Mountains and Plains Institute.




Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon, famous for its unique geology, consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. Erosion and rainwater have shaped the colorful limestone rock into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins and spires called "hoodoos."



Zion National Park

True to its name, which means "refuge" or "sanctuary" in ancient Hebrew, Zion is an oasis at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Mojave Desert provinces, encompassing sandstone canyons and colorful, high plateaus.



Cedar City

Settled by Mormon pioneers in 1851, Cedar City is in an area once inhabited by prehistoric peoples. In 1923 a new railroad connection turned the city into a gateway to the Southwest’s national parks and natural wonders. Today Southern Utah University and the Utah Shakespearean Festival make Cedar City a leading center of education and the arts.
Accommodations
Quality hotels.
Meals and Lodgings
   Best Western Town and Country
  Cedar City, UT 1 night
   Cedar Breaks Lodge
  Brian Head, UT 1 night
   New Western Motel
  Panguitch, UT 1 night
   Ruby's at Bryce View Lodge
  Bryce, UT 2 nights
   Best Western Thunderbird Resort
  Carmel Junction, UT 1 night
   Flanigan's Inn
  Springdale, UT 2 nights
 Best Western Town and Country
Type: Motel
  Contact info: 189 Main Street
Cedar City, UT 84720 USA
phone: 435-586-9900
  Room amenities: Cable satellite television with 35 Channels including ESPN, HBO®, and Disney®, Free local calls under 30 minutes, Microwave, Refrigerator, Hairdryer, Coffee/tea Maker, Iron, ironing board, AM/FM alarm clock, 25-inch television.
  Facility amenities: Outdoor pool, heated pool with spa; Indoor pool, heated pool with spa; Game room; 24-hour front desk; Laundromat coin operated; Complimentary limousine service locally only Car rental desk - National Car Inter-Rent; Safe deposit box; Truck/RV parking Free parking; Free high-speed Internet access
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $89+. Reserve directly with motel.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM

 Cedar Breaks Lodge
Type: Lodge
  Contact info: P.O. Box 190248
Brian Head, UT 84719 USA
phone: 435-677-4270
  Room amenities: Full bath with jetted tub, and hair dryer. The kitchenette includes a small refrigerator, sink, microwave and coffee maker. All rooms have cable TV with a DVD/VCR, telephone with data port and a fireplace.
  Facility amenities: Full Service Day Spa, Fabulous Indoor pool, Fireside Jacuzzi, Exercise facility, Sauna and Steam Room, Gift Shop-Espresso Bar, Complimentary Overnight Secured Ski and Bike Storage, Underground Parking, 24 Hour Front Desk.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 New Western Motel
Type: Motel
  Contact info: 180 E. Center Street
Panguitch, UT 84759 USA
phone: 435-676-8876
  Room amenities: Cable satellite television 25-inches with 40 plus channels including free HBO®, Dataports, AM/FM alarm clock, Coffee/tea make,r Air-conditioning, Iron, ironing board, Hairdryer .
  Facility amenities: Outdoor pool, heated; Hot tub; Guest laundry; Free high-speed Internet access.
  Smoking allowed: Yes

 Ruby's at Bryce View Lodge
Type: Lodge
  Description: The Bryce View Lodge offers the finest in Bryce Canyon lodging. Located next to Bryce Canyon National Park on Highway U-63 in Southern Utah, this perfect Bryce Canyon lodging is nestled at the edge of a pine forest on a high plateau that overlooks the beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park.
  Contact info: Highway U-63
Bryce, UT 84759 USA
phone: 435-834-5181
  Room amenities: All guest rooms have cable TV, direct-dial telephones, air conditioning and combination bath and showers.
  Facility amenities: Guests enjoy clean, comfortable rooms and full amenities including swimming pools, spas, restaurants and shopping, all located within an easy stroll of Bryce View Lodge.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Best Western Thunderbird Resort
Type: Resort
  Contact info: Jct. Hwy 9 and 89
Mount Carmel, UT 84755 USA
phone: 435-648-2203
  Room amenities: Cable satellite television with ESPN and WGN, AM/FM alarm clock, Hairdryer, Coffee/tea maker, Iron, ironing board, Dataports, Free local calls under 30 minutes, Free long distance access.
  Facility amenities: Giftshop or newsstand with a 10% discount for AARP members; Golf course 9-holes; Outdoor pool, heated Seasonal; Hot tub; Guest laundry; Convenience store/Sundry; Fax services; Photocopy services; Free high-speed Internet access.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Flanigan's Inn
Type: Inn
  Contact info: 450 Zion Park Blvd.
Springdale, UT 84767 USA
phone: 435-772-3244
web: www.discoverZion.com
  Room amenities: Cable satellite television Free local calls under 30 minutes - long distance access AM/FM alarm clock Coffee/tea maker Air-conditioning and heating Desk/work area
  Facility amenities: Complimentary coffee; Outdoor pool, heated; Hot tub; Guest laundry; 24-hour front desk; Elevator; Ice/vending machine; Local shuttle is a seasonal complimentary shuttle to city center; Free high-speed Internet access.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after:  Traveling program bicyclers move onward
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check-in by 2 pm. for bicycle fitting, safety check. You will be staying at Best Western Town and Country that night.
  End of Program:
Participants will be shuttled back to Cedar City starting motel by 10 am. You will be staying at Flanigan's Inn the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Assumption of Risk Form Bicycle Fitting Form
  Parking availability:
Parking for the entire program is available without charge at the motel in Cedar City
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Cedar City, UT
  Nearest highway: Interstate 15
  Nearest airport:  Cedar City, Salt Lake City
  From End of Program
  Location: Cedar City, UT
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Cedar City (CDC)

 

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Advanced Reservations Required

   

Commercial shuttles (435-865-7076) from Salt Lake City (SLC) Airport; Taxi available from Cedar City (CDC0 Airport to hotel.
 
Driving Directions
  Salt Lake City, UT and Las Vegas, NV Salt Lake City: from junction of I 80 and I 15, take I 15 south 252 miles. Las Vegas: take I 15 north 171 miles. Take Cedar City Exits off of I 15 N or S to Main Street
Elevation Note: Rides will range from 3,000 to 8,000 feet.

Equipment Requirements: Bicycle helmets, water bottles, optional panniers, bicycle clothing and wind-rain-sun protection
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Safety Orientation/Introductions; Check in motel by 2 pm; Bicycle fitting and shake down ride 2-5 pm
(Saturday, September 28)

Note: Check-out bicycle ride: 4-8 miles, rolling minimal elevation gain/loss
   
 Arrive To: Check-in by 2 p.m. in order to insure time for bicycle fitting and mandatory safety orientation. Warm up ride around town. Cedar City: This town was named by early settlers for the abundance of cedar, or juniper trees in the vicinity. The first settlers arrived on November 11, 1851. Soon thereafter, they established the first iron refinery west of the Mississippi River, giving the county the name of Iron County. The local pioneer spirit is exemplified through the famous local story about how “Old Main”, the first university building, was erected during the cold winter of 1898 to ensure that the city would be home to a university. Cedar City is set in the striking Cedar Valley, which is surrounded by the Hurricane Cliffs to the east and south, the Harmony mountains to the southwest, the Three Peaks to the northwest, and the Black Mountains to the north.
 Afternoon: Bike fitting motel in parking lot. Once you feel comfortable with your new bike, take it for a spin up the Cedar Canyon bike path. You can stop with that loop (4miles), or continue across town and past the University campus-(8miles). Before dinner we’ll have an introductions and orientation meeting.
 Dinner: Dinner at a popular local restaurant where we will order of the menu.
 Evening: Free for packing and preparation for tomorrow morning's departure and ride.
   
Accommodations: Best Western Town and Country
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Bicycle to Cedar Breaks National Monument and on to village of Brian's Head
(Sunday, September 29)

Note: Bicycling 18 miles total in two parts, vans will shuttle riders and bikes between; elevation gain/loss 2,000 feet mostly uphill at start; rolling in Cedar Breaks National Monument with 800 feet loss to Lodge; Beginning elevation 5,846 feet, highest elevation gained 10,467, ending elevation 9,800 feet. Sag wagon will monitor group for assistance along route.
   
 Breakfast: Continental Breakfast in the Motel Lobby
 Morning: After biking partway up the canyon, we will shuttle everyone, as we gain 4,500 feet from Cedar City to Cedar Breaks National Monument. The monument is a large amphitheater of sandstone, which gives us our first glimpse of the beauty that lies ahead. You’ll really be able to feel the effects of the altitude, as our highest point today is nearly 10,500 feet! Cedar Breaks National Monument: This striking natural amphitheater is geologically similar to Bryce Canyon. The road we will be riding on within the park is mostly over 10,000 feet in altitude. This makes for a harsh winter. Snow often falls by the end of September! The monument is also famous for the ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, which can live up to 4,000 years.
 Lunch: Lunch daily will be on the road for convenience and flexibility. Participants should bring favorite lunch items or visit grocery stores along the route. Today's lunch stop is at the Visitor Center of Cedar Breaks National Monument.
 Afternoon: After lunch break, we will have a ranger-lead geology talk. Then we will have an optional 2-mile hike along the rim before riding into tonight’s destination in Brian Head. Brian Head is a major ski resort town of southern Utah. There’s a potential of cold weather at the high altitude.
 Dinner: Tonight's dinner is in our Lodge's Restaurant where we will oder off the menu.
 Evening: Free to enjoy lodge amenities.
   
Accommodations: Cedar Breaks Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: We bicycle from Brian's Head through Cedar Breaks National Monument to the town of Panguitch.
(Monday, September 30)

Note: Bicycling 35 miles, first 5 miles 1,100 feet gain then mostly downhill and rolling along route with an elevation loss of 2,500 feet; Beginning elevation 9,800 feet, highest elevation gained 10,435, ending elevation 6,624 feet. Sag wagon will monitor group for assistance.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is in the Lodge Restaurant where we order off the menu.
 Morning: As we depart this morning, we have a steep 1,100 ft. climb over 5 miles out of Brian Head, which some riders choose to shuttle. But after that, we’ll lose much of the elevation we gained yesterday. We’ll descend through the eastern part of Cedar Breaks National Monument passing colorful aspen groves arriving for our lunch stop at Panguitch Lake. Literally “ Big Fish” in the language of the Paiute Indians, Panguitch derived its name from the size of the trout inhabiting the lake
 Lunch: Lunch will be on the road for convenience and flexibility. Participants should bring favorite lunch items or visit grocery stores along the route. Our lunch stop today will be at a store or restaurant along Panguitch Lake.
 Afternoon: Continue after lunch bicycling through the scenic ranch country to the town of Panguitch. Panguitch: This small town has a population of only 1,500 people. However, it is the largest town in Garfield County, which has a population density of less than 1 person per square mile! The local industries include livestock and sheep ranching, timber harvesting, and tourism.
 Dinner: Tonight we dine at a popular local restaurant where we order off the menu.
 Evening: Free time to explore quaint farming town of Panguitch and relax.
   
Accommodations: New Western Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Bicycle through irrigated farm country and Red Rock Canyon Bike Trail to our destination, Bryce Canyon National Park.
(Tuesday, October 1)

Note: Bicycle 29 miles, rolling steady but gentle gain in elevation of nearly 2,000 feet, gradual loss last 8 miles of 500 feet. Beginning elevation 6,624 feet, highest elevation gained 8,164, ending elevation 7,664 feet. Sag wagon will monitor group for assistance along route.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast this morning is at a local cafe where we will order off the menu.
 Morning: We ride through rolling hills and irrigated farms south and east today from Panguitch through the scenic and marvelous bike trail of Red Canyon, Coyote Hollow and Emery Valley. We will stop for an optional walk and visit to the Visitor Center. We continue on the bike path to our lunch break at a convenient picnic are and rest stop at today's high point.
 Lunch: Lunch will be on the road for convenience and flexibility. Participants should bring favorite lunch items or visit grocery stores along the route. Today's lunch stop is a State of Utah Picnic Area and Rest Stop.
 Afternoon: Continue riding east and then south to Ruby's Inn. Our destination today is the edge of Bryce Canyon National Park, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Established as a national park in 1928, Bryce features an outstanding assortment of red and white capped sandstone pillars, spires, and columns, called “hoodoos”, formed by water and wind more than 60 million years ago.
 Dinner: We dine at Ruby's Inn Buffet Restaurant.
 Evening: Optional Lecture by ranger in Bryce Canyon National Park
   
Accommodations: Ruby's at Bryce View Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Day free to rest and explore Bryce Canyon National Park
(Wednesday, October 2)

Note: Bicycling options of 0-36 miles, 0-5 miles hiking; rolling terrain 500 feet gain/loss (no sag wagon) Free Park Shuttle Bus from hotel
   
 Breakfast: We dine at Ruby's Inn Buffet Restaurant
 Morning: “It’s one hell of a place to lose a cow!” is how Ebenezer Bryce once described the national park that now bears his name. Apparently Ebenezer, who homesteaded in the area during the 1870’s, experienced more that his share of livestock lost among the sandstone pinnacles and hoodoos of this breathtaking area. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of Bryce’s predicament today as we enjoy a day in the park. Today, you are free to enjoy the park, as you like. If you’d like to go for a good bike ride, enjoy the 36-mile (round trip) ride along the canyon rim, with its many scenic viewpoints. Or, you may ride to a viewpoint, lock your bike, and hike from there. The free park shuttle bus deaprts our hotel to the Visitor Center and onward to access Park Overlooks and trailheads, and back to the motel.
 Lunch: Lunch is on own for picnicing or enjoying restaurants in the National Park.
 Afternoon: Continue visit to Bryce Canyon National Park. T.C. Bailey, a US deputy surveyor, wrote of Bryce Canyon in 1876: “There are thousands or red, white, purple, and vermilion rocks or all sizes, resembling sentinels on the walls of castles; monks and priests with their robes, attendants, cathedrals and congregations. There are deep caverns and rooms resembling ruins of prisons, Castles, Churches, with their guarded walls, battlements, spires, and steeples, niches, and recesses, presenting the wildest and most wonderful scene that the eve of man ever beheld, in fact it is one of the wonders of the world.”
 Dinner: We dine at Ruby's Inn Buffet Restaurant
 Evening: Free for relaxation and preparation for tomorrow's departure.
   
Accommodations: Ruby's at Bryce View Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Day long ride from Bryce Canyon National Park and Red Canyon through Long Valley and on to the town of Carmel Junction.
(Thursday, October 3)

Note: 60 miles, gradual gain of 1,000 feet over 25 miles; steep stretch of 10 miles with gain and loss of 1,000 feet; gradual descent over 25 miles of 1,500 feet Beginning elevation 7,664 feet, highest elevation gained 8,164, ending elevation 5,500 feet. Sag wagon will monitor group for assistance along route.
   
 Breakfast: We dine at Ruby's Inn Buffet Restaurant
 Morning: This is our longest day in mileage on the program. This morning we pedal back through colorful Red Canyon this morning, before heading south through Long Valley and the town of Hatch. Most of the route today is rolling hills, however for approximately 10 miles after Hatch, there is a long uphill grade summiting at 7,513 feet, some may consider taking the shuttle.
 Lunch: Lunch will be on the road for convenience and flexibility. Participants should bring favorite lunch items or visit grocery stores along the route. We stop for our lunch break at Long Valley Junction about half way to Mt. Carmel Junction.
 Afternoon: We continue through farming communities riding mostly downhill to our destination of Mt. Carmel Junction, where some may optionally enjoy our motel's 9 hole pitch and putt golf course. The quaint Mormon town of Hatch was first settled and named Asay in 1872, after nearby Asay Creek. Residents soon discovered however that even the desert can become a precarious place in a rainstorm and after severe flooding, moved the town to higher ground and renamed it Hatch.
 Dinner: We order off the menu this evening in the Motel Restaurant.
 Evening: Free time for relaxation and preparation for tomorrow's ride.
   
Accommodations: Best Western Thunderbird Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Bicycle through Zion National Park to the town of Springdale
(Friday, October 4)

Note: Bicycle 26 miles total in two parts, vans will shuttle riders and bikes between sections, steady elevation gain of 1,000 feet to first stop at 11 miles; descent of 2,600 feet steep at first then rolling for 15 miles. Beginning elevation 5,500 feet, highest elevation gained 6,500, ending elevation 3,898 feet. Sag wagon will monitor group for assistance along route.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the Motel Restaurant where we order off the menu.
 Morning: There is a gradual but steady climb for the first half of today’s ride, as we leave the valley floor of the Virgin River and head toward Zion National Park. Please remember to have your National parks Pass with you. Reminders that this area (now more than 6,000’ in elevation) was once a desert to rival the Sahara are visible in the petrified sand dunes we pass as we approach the park. We stop at Tunnel Two parking area where we load our vans for the Park Service required shuttle through the tunnel.
 Lunch: Lunch will be on the road for convenience and flexibility. Participants should bring favorite lunch items or visit grocery stores along the route. Our lunch break and stop today is at our tunnel-shuttle stop.
 Afternoon: Grab your hat as we make a fast 1,700-foot descent into Zion Canyon and its towering sandstone cliffs, spires, hanging gardens and waterfalls. This is most folk’s favorite ride of the trip, and perhaps one of the grandest bicycle rides in the world! Zion National Park: The “Basket Makers”, starting in about 500 A.D. originally inhabited this area. The Anasazi, or Ancient Pueblo people, as well as the Fremont people lived in the area from 750 to 1200 A.D... Over half a millennium later, it was the Mormon missionaries who named this park “Zion”, as a place of worship to Gad. The names of the mountains reflect their celestial nature: East Temple, West Temple, the Altar of Sacrifice, and the Great White Throne.
 Dinner: We dine at a local Restuarant where we will have a selected menu.
 Evening: Free time to enjoy lodge amenities
   
Accommodations: Flanigan's Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Day to enjoy and tour Zion National Park
(Saturday, October 5)

Note: Bicycling optional 0-19 miles, plus 0-3 miles hiking (no sag wagon). Very convenient free shuttle bus from front of hotel goes to Visitor Center, then free and very frequent shuttle bus into Park and bus or bicycle only destinations.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the Hotel Restaurant
 Morning: Today is a free day to explore Zion. Most folks will want to pedal the 19-mile (round-trip) Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Since May 2001, the only vehicles permitted on this road are the Park Service shuttle buses! Be sure to stop along the way for photographs and hiking at places such as the Great White Throne, Weeping Rock, Angel’s Landing, and the Virgin River. Visit the visitors’ centers and have a Ranger talk, then enjoy the day in this very friendly to bicycles Park.
 Lunch: Lunch is on own for picnicing or enjoying restaurants in the National Park.
 Afternoon: Continue morning rides, hikes or spend time exploring Springdale. Like Grand Canyon National Park, Zion officials are taking progressive steps in terms of the vehicle management within the park. From May to October, the only private vehicles allowed up the Zion Canyon are those with reservations at the Zion Lodge (located in the canyon). There are a number of stops in the canyon as well as in Springdale. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes during non-peak hours, and every 6-8 minutes during peak hours. Bravo to the Zion rangers for creating this great system, especially for cyclists! (NOTE: When riding your bike in front of a shuttle bus, please pull completely off the side of the road to let them pass. They will not pass otherwise and we do not want to unintentionally hold up traffic.
 Dinner: We dine this evening in our Hotel's Restaurant where we will order from the menu.
 Evening: Farewells and time for refeection and packing.
   
Accommodations: Flanigan's Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Return by van to Cedar City, independent departures
(Sunday, October 6)
   
 Depart From: Independent departures from Cedar City after 11 a.m.
 Breakfast: Breakfast in the Hotel Restaurant
 Morning: Vans will return participants back to beginning Motel in Cedar City arriving approximately 10 a.m.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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