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CJ7ole · 09-08-2013, 09:01 PM

Yesterday we spent 4 hours in Zion NP and it was awesome. Today we visited the formations in Red Canyon and then Bryce Canyon NP, it was equally amazing even though we had rain and fog today in the higher elevations of Bryce. We also hit Red Rock Canyon when we returned to Las Vegas. In the last month we visited the Badlands, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, ran the Road to the Sun in Glacier NP, visited Mt. Rushmore, Big Sur and a number of other must-see locations in the west.

But I have to tell you, the most jaw dropping experience of the trip was completely unexpected and that was on our way to Zion from Las Vegas on I-15 when suddenly I saw that the road ahead was literally aiming for a tiny gap in the mountains. Turned out that it was not even shown on any of our maps and it was called the Virgin River Gorge. I can't start to explain it other than to say the interstate wound up what seemed to be an impossible pass. Max grade seemed to be no more than 6% and the curves were no slower than 55 mph. How they did it I have no idea. I can't imagine a more stunning section of interstate.

Here is a video I found on YouTube going down the pass. It was more impressive going up as it came on you suddenly. This is where you need a Go-Pro camera mounted to your roof as they are wide angle enough to possibly capture the full effect of the tall mountains on either side. Enjoy. (You may want to cut and paste the link into your address line so you can view it full screen, which is highly recommended.)

Virgin River Gorge (High Definition) - YouTube

Wyodude · 09-08-2013, 09:13 PM

I have driven that pass a few time and wondered myself how they built that road. Years later I met my wife and turns out her grandpa worked on that stretch of road years ago. He built roads like that all over the county and moved on to golf courses. He even did a course in Hawaii.

Arch Hoagland · 09-08-2013, 09:34 PM

From time to time on here you will see people say you have to get off the interstates to see anything nice.

I have seen some really nice sites on the interstates and I think you have too.

They weren't losing any time going through there......

TRAILERKING · 09-08-2013, 09:38 PM

Stunning..................Sure would like to see it in real life.

Dutch Star Don · 09-09-2013, 12:24 AM

It's one of my favorite roads in the country. It would be fun in a car where you could look more at the scenery and not have to worry about keeping the MH going straight.

Skip426 · 09-09-2013, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

It's one of my favorite roads in the country. It would be fun in a car where you could look more at the scenery and not have to worry about keeping the MH going straight.

If you trying to go straight on that section of highway

, your doing it wrong.

Just had to throw that in.
Been a number of years , but yes it is great to drive in a car.

dieselclacker · 09-09-2013, 06:05 AM

Been thru there in both directions many times, with both motorhome and car. Nice drive, but not the most impressive that I have experienced in my travels. Winds thru that section of I-15 can be brutal at times, and make motorhome travel a little exciting.

Arch Hoagland · 09-09-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselclacker

Been thru there in both directions many times, with both motorhome and car. Nice drive, but not the most impressive that I have experienced in my travels. Winds thru that section of I-15 can be brutal at times, and make motorhome travel a little exciting.

I noticed those cuts through the tips of the mountains and figured the wind would be bad.

Those small cuts will usually have some strong wind patterns and I pay attention for gusts when going through them anywhere.

Not a Clue · 09-09-2013, 11:31 AM

First time I was on it was on a motorcycle heading north, pretty awesome ride. It was like one minute you were in the flat desert and around the next curve you were winding up this beautiful canyon.

D in Davie · 09-09-2013, 11:59 AM

Thanks for that video. Sounds like your travels are like living the dream.

CJ7ole · 09-09-2013, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D in Davie

Thanks for that video. Sounds like your travels are like living the dream.

Well, we are on the home stretch, been on the road over 5 weeks now, probably be home in a week or so unless we find a few more stops along I-40 in the heartland. In Flagstaff today, maybe Show Low AZ for a few nights with friends (they spend 6 months a year on the road) then back to the barn. It's been a great trip, lots of fantastic memories but kind of stressful driving thru the mountains and on the Pacific Coast Highway, grinding up and down the big hills, always wondering where we will spend the night. No more big road trips for a while other than our normal jaunt to FL for November.