iamq

Myer,

I was trying to keep a positive attitude about something out of my control. I am glad that you enjoyed the Overlook and so many other things in the park. I am sure I will too!

peterboy

I have a shortcut that will save those who need to get to Springdale from Mt Carmel Jct to Springdale if the road is closed when you need to pass through. After Kanab, you go south joining Rt 89 and then turn right onto AZ 389 in Fredonia Az to head west to Hurricane. Rt 389 bocomes UT 59 when you cross back into Utah at Colorado City.

Here's where you'll start looking for the shortcut off to the right. It is called Smithsonian Butte Rd. and will bring you into the backside of Rockville saving about an hour over going all the way west to Hurricane and onto Rt 9 east back toward Springdale and Zion. Smithsonian Butte Rd. is a dirt road but easily travelled in a normal car.

Below is a link to a picture of a map from our Utah Gazetteer that shows Smithsonian Butte Rd. bearing north off Utah Rt 59 and into Rockville. I feel a little sorry for the locals living on this route since I'm sure it will be a popular shortcut this summer.

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/125214128

Myer

peter,

Is this the road at Apple Valley (on Google Maps)?

I assume you travelled on it. Correct?

How long is the dirt road? What would be a realistic speed to drive on it? How can we find out the speed limit?

I'm trying to get an idea how much faster it will be.

peterboy

I looked at Google Maps and Smithsonian Butte Rd. does appear to bear off Rt 59 at Apple Valley. The DeLorme Gazetteer calls the area Big Plain Junction.

The first section is flat and straight and I recall that we were able to go 55 to 65 mph. The rest was probably 40 to 50 mph. None of it was steep or difficult at all (just dusty) and it is actually quite scenic as you get closer to Rockville.

We estimated the time savings using this shortcut to be about an hour versus going all the way west to Hurricane and onto Rt 9 east back toward through Springdale and Zion.

Naturally it can also be used in reverse if you are headed from Springdale toward Kanab and Bryce if the tunnel is closed when you're leaving Zion.

Trust me, this will be a HUGE time saver.

Myer

That road is actually listed as a scenic road. I saw a web sight that had photos and they were pretty interesting.

Good find!!

Pugsley

We're going from Las Vegas to Page, and most directions I've seen tell us to take 9 all the way to 89. It will be on the weekend, but I'm still concerned about the traffic. Would it make sense to take 9/59/389/89 instead? Any problems with that route?

Myer

Pugsley,

Absolutely.

Even though 9 will be open on the weekend, the part with construction will not be paved. Also, I suspect a lot of people will plan on using the east entrance on the weekend.

elnap29

If you don't make it to Canyon Overlook, I don't think you'll feel cheated. I've walked it, and it was nice, but on our many trips to Zion we find so much to see in the canyon itself, that we stay there and hike and re-hike our favorite trails (especially Riverside Walk, the Narrows, Observation Point, Scout's Lookout, Pa'rus Trail). Each trail has a different view and feel depending on the time of day. We especially like hiking in the evening hours when it is cooler and in deep shade.
Consider a drive over to the Kolob section off I-15 for some nice walks/hikes in that area as well.

iamq

peterboy, your shotcut looks like an interesting option. Thanks!

iamq

So, we leave on Wednesday and I think we are going to try peterboy's shortcut. It will get us into Zion sooner and driving on a dirt road through the high desert will be a first for me! Onward ho!

peterboy

Go and have a great trip...I'm jealous...please come back after and let us know how your trip went please.

utahtea

The Smithsonian Butte is a National Scenic Backway Country Byway and is a very scenic drive that I hightly recommend as long as it is NOT raining hard, has not recently rained a lot or looks like a storm is coming. This dirt turns to a muddy, slippery slim very quickly and you can easily get suck! There are some really steep sections on the down side to Rockville, but the VIEWS are incredible! I would NOT recommend this for an RV.

Apple Valley is 11 miles from Hurricane and then it's another 22 to Zion so will take about 40 minutes There was major road constuction on Hwy 9 in Hurricane when we were there in April but traffic moved quickly.

The Smithsonian Butte backway is about 10 miles and according to the National Scenic Byways website, they suggest 45 minutes. It probably can be done quicker, but a lot will depend on how long it's been since the road was last graded...those ruts can get pretty deeps sometimes. http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/68995/index.html


Utahtea

iamq

Thanks Utahtea. The weather forecast looks good for the next week or so. Sunny and warm/hot, so I think we'll go for it as long as the weather take a turn for the worst. It it looks dicey, we'll just take the longer way.

We leave in a few minutes. Thanks for weighing in!

Pugsley

Thanks Myer!

One more question...should we take 89 (north of Vermillion Cliffs) or 89Alt (south of Vermillion Cliffs)? According to the map 89A is a scenic route (which we'd like), but would it take a lot longer than 89?

Myer

Pugsley,

Sorry, I can't help with that. I've been on 89 (in Utah) but not 89 Alt that goes in AZ.

Maybe somebody else can help.

utahtea

Pugsley,

Alt 89 takes you up into the mountains and it's a curvey slower drive. If you get stuck behind an RV, it can even be slower. Hwy 89 is more your desert canyon and desert color drive.

If your do 9/59/389/ to Fredonia it will be at least an hour longer to go Alt 89. If you liked the views along 9/59/389, then go up to Kanaba and take 89. If your tired of that kind of scenery by then, take Alt 89.

Utahtea

smetz

I just went through Zion yesterday (Monday) morning from Springdale to the east side of the park, and did not encounter any abnormal traffic. We left Springdale, at the Desert Pearl Inn, about 7:15 am, and hit the tunnel about 7:35 or 7:40. Had to wait about 5 minutes due to an RV, but other than that it was pretty clear. It looks like the work on the switchbacks is mainly re-paving, and they currently have the old paving scraped down.

At the hotel, they said their recommendation is to start out at least by 8 to beat the construction traffic.

Pugsley

Thanks Utahtea!

mabella101

Thanks Utahtea, I've been checking in regularly to see if anyone has posted about actual delays with this road project. Below is an update to the closures. It seems the work will now be done at nighttime. Please verify as the new schedule has not been implemented yet. The link to the NPS is:
Thursday. Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays will remain open 24 hours.
> We are still workaing with Federal Highways and the contractor to determine when the new schedule can be instituted, but it will be as soon as possible. When the date is determined, it will be sent to you."

iamq

We returned yesterday and used peterboy's shortcut as we were driving from the North Rim of the GC to Zion on Monday, the 21st. When we were enroute the closures were still of the 9 - 4 variety. The condition of the shortcut road was a little rough but our rental Hundai did fine. The switchbacks towards the end are rough and rutted, but we drove slowly and it worked out fine. It was still a time saver and it is a gorgeous drive. If they change the closures again to daytime and you're coming from the east as we did, I would recommend this with the same warnings as uthatea listed above. That road in the rain would be a nightmare and I would not want to be in an RV or towing a trailer.

When we left the park yesterday at around 10 am Highway 9 was open going through the tunnel. We also spoke to folks that were able to park and do the Canyon Overlook trail. Hope this helps.

Zion is amazing.