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DAY 7, TROPIC TO HATCH - 33 MILES

This was by far our easiest and shortest day of cycling. A moderately steep, but short climb out of Tropic leaves you on the Pausaungunt Plateau near the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. Route 12 does not pass through Bryce, but it's just a short detour. John had never been to Bryce before so I agreed to stop just short of the entrance, at Ruby's Inn and watch the bikes while he rode the shuttle into the park for an hour visit. We soon found out that the shuttle wasn't running, so John unloaded his packs and rode unencumbered into the park while I watched our stuff at Ruby's.

Climbing out of Tropic toward Bryce
John at Bryce (photo by an anonymous Italian tourist)
When John was done with his short visit to Bryce we got back on Highway 12 toward Hatch and soon came upon a sign saying cyclists were not allowed on the road and had to use the adjoining bike path. It took us a while to see where the path started - the signs were not too helpful. But the path was amazing, practically brand new, and all downhill for about 5 miles through Red Canyon. Not a National Park, but some of the best scenery of the entire trip.
Bike Path through Red Canyon
NOTE: The banner on the top of each of these pages is a photo taken from the bike path in Red Canyon and very typical of the extraordinary scenery.

Soon we were turning south on familiar Highway 89 with just 8 miles left to reach Miss Lori's motel in Hatch. Another easy, scenic day. Next