3 National Parks in One Summer

This summer as we hit West, our group is going to hit not one, not two, but THREE National Parks.  I somehow got the Grand Canyon and Zion, but missed that we will be biking through a park of Yosemite too. 

I was fortunate enough to see the Grand Canyon a few years back with a bunch of friends over spring break.  Seeing the sunrise over the Grand Canyon was on my bucket list and I somehow convinced them to pile into a mini van and let me drive 5 hours through the night.  It was totally worth it!  The Grand Canyon was formed over 17 million years ago; the landscape continues to change as the Colorado River runs through the canyon.  Many know it for its amazing (and expansive) landscapes, and thick sequences of ancient rocks which have helped geologists learn about the early geologic history of North America. 

Next we will hit up Zion National Park which was first inhabited over 12,000 years ago by individuals who tracked mammoths across Utah.  Unfortunately this and other large animals were over hunted/died due to climate change cultures were forced to change.  The Virgin Anasazi is one such example of how farming began to take root (no pun intended) within the area.  The Anasazi had to move southeast about 800 years ago due to drought and overuse.  The area was most recently inhabited by Morman farmers in the mid-19th Century.

Today the park is most well known for its scenery which varies from small, narrow canyons to sandstone cliffs.  This one might get a little hot with the average temperatures in the high 90s low 100s.

 

Rounding out the trip will be a quick trip through Yosemite.  3.7 million people visit this seven square mile park.  The backdrop is varied ranging from its internationally recognized cliffs, waterfalls and Gian Sequoia trees.  One of the most well known areas is the Yosemite Tunnel View (pictured below).  I am not sure if we will be in this part of the park, but fingers are crossed.