In recent years, Arizona has invested in the use of roundabouts to handle traffic at busy sections – a practice that is similar to that in Europe. However, it seems as though the practice is somewhat new so there is a big focus on proper signage to explain the proper way through.
True to form we started our trip today passing through a few roundabouts in Page before we backtracked along Hwy 89 back to Bitter Spring where we turned east on 89 A. We took a short stop at the bridge crossing the Colorado River.
Continuing on 89A we followed the Vermillion Cliffs before winding up through pine forests enroute to Jacob Creek and the turnoff to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Time was short so a return trip to the Grand Canyon wasn’t in the cards, so we continued on 89A towards Fredonia. Here the road crosses a plateau with spectacular views of distant cliffs for miles in all directions.
At Kanab we rejoined Hwy 89 and continued north and up into the cliffs continuing to Mt Carmel Junction and then east on Hwy 9 to Zion National Park. Zion is majestic – rather than fumble with a proper description we’ll just let these pictures do the talking.
The descent from Zion opened up additional views of the cliffs and mountains beyond the I-15 corridor. We finished the day with a quick blast up I-15 before checking into our hotel at Cedar City.