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What is riding a bike for you? If you are a youngster, riding a bike is an inalienable part of your life as you still do not have enough money for your own car. Some young people even reject all the comfort and speed of cars and prefer to continue riding a bike, but they are looking forward to buying a beach cruiser or even a motorbike.

No one says that biking in a place like Zion is a more comfortable way than riding a car for getting from point A to B, but on a bike you feel that it is actually you whose strength is put into making the wheels drive; nothing else but the work of your muscles. Whereas when you drive a car, you need gas. Moreover, the big plus of cycling is that you are improving your health by making your muscles work, in which you develop your character and health. Plus riding a bike in Zion also offers some of the most fantastic views you can ever see.

Mountain Biking in Zion Benefits

Most mountain bikers ride for the thrill and excitement of it but in addition to that, you will also get health benefits of it as well. Although gashes and bruises are considered part of mountain biking, you should not be discouraged as you will develop your endurance as well as muscle growth. Again mountain biking in Zion National Park offers views of the canyon you just can’t get elsewhere.

Mountain biking is also a great workout for your back especially during ascends. To maximize the exercise on your back, stand up on your pedals as you go up the hill.

It is also a great aerobic exercise which means that you get the same benefits found in running. One advantage of biking to running is that in cycling, the impact is spread to your arms, legs, and buttocks which helps prevent injuries especially on the knees.

Lastly, mountain biking is a great way of meeting new people especially now that mountain biking is getting more popular. You may stop at your local bike shop and inquire on any scheduled group cycling. Joining in this kind of gathering is helpful as you get to share your ideas about biking and other things as well as gain knowledge and advices.

Biking in Zion National park is one of my favorite things to do. You don’t think there are many places to go, but allow me to tell you about my experience biking Zion a couple of weeks ago.

We started biking right in the middle of Springdale, about where the park is. Our goal was to have the entire experience not just the in the park experience. We wanted to ride by the shops and stores outside of the park grounds. There’s just something fun about biking in Springdale. People are so happy and excited to be there. And as we kept getting closer to the park entrance we only got more and more excited to be there.

We took the east walking bridge entrance and began our journey along the Pa Rus trail that first goes through the campgrounds, and then heads up along the Virgin River. They’ve added some fantastic bridges that cross over the Virgin that really makes for a fantastic time as you ride. The Virgin River is a very pretty river, so biking along its banks makes for a beautiful ride.

There’s one point along the Pa Rus trail where you can easily get off the trail and go down by the river to soak in the setting. The river here cascades down some boulders that make for a really pretty place to stop, and take in the beauty of the scene.

We continued riding up the trail, and couldn’t help but love the bridges along the way. They really make for a great ride, to give you that birds eye view of the Virgin below you.

Before long the Pa’Rus trail ends and that’s when we jumped on board the shuttles. The shuttles have 4 bike racks you can use to take you right to the top (of the Temple of Sinawa aka the Narrows). Once here we began the most exciting aspect of our biking in Zion journey, and started down the road.

Since there are no cars then you have the road almost all to yourself, except for the occasional shuttle that passes by you. There’s just something amazing about riding a bike down Zion Canyon. Seeing her walls from your bike as you go wizzing by. Big Bend, the Patriachs, all of them are just so beautiful when you’re riding a bike.

You can even stop, and take a quick break at the Lodge like we did before our journey continued down the road. It really is an incredible experience to ride a bike in Zion.

If you’re coming to Zion and maybe looking to expand your reach slightly, then here’s a place near Zion to see that definitely worth your time. Now don’t get us wrong, there’s enough in Zion to see that it would take you several years to see it all, but every once and awhile you might was a taste of something else, well the Red Mountain Trail next to St George is definitely a must!

What is the Red Mountain Trail?

If you’re familiar with Snow Canyon State Park then you’ll quickly know why it’s such a fantastic hike. Essentially you hike along the rim of Snow Canyon, the entire way. The hike itself is approximately 10 miles, and offers views upon views, upon views. You’ll look down into greater Snow Canyon, then at times you’ll be looking westward into the Kayenta valley, and finally you’ll have a stunning view down into Ivins and St George.

The hike begins right by a city called Dammeron Valley, and then ends up in Ivins (there are several ways to access it, but this is the most prevalent). Now we do have to give a warning here, there have been a handful of search and rescue missions on this very trail, and that’s primarily due to people thinking it’s easy and can be done in 5 hours, so they head out without lights or knowing where they’re going. This is backcountry so after awhile the trail disappears and you’re on your own. So if you’re going to hike it, make sure you’re prepared and start in the morning.

After starting out you’ll hike for about an hour or so until you’re greeted with a fork in the road (go right), then after another 30 minutes or so you’ll get a different vantage point of the Snow Canyon Overlook that most don’t see, and it’s wonderful but in reality just the beginning of the views you’ll be greeted with.

Before long you’ll see a place where you can get off the trail and walk along the white rim of Snow Canyon, and here’s where you’ll first see the rock pools of water that dot the landscape along the top. In truth they were some of the most interesting/beautiful things you’ll see along this hike (aside from the stellar views you’ll have the entire time).

As you continue walking southward soon the rocks change from their drastic white to straight red and orange. so the contrast between the two only adds to the scene.

Before long you’ll come to the end and be given that tremendous view down into Ivins that you’ll want to stop and soak in for a few before you begin your descent and complete the trail.

So that’s it, if you’re looking for things to do near Zion then hiking the Red Mountain trail should definitely be on your list.

When hiking anywhere, especially in an arid place like Zion National Park, the importance of fluids or liquids in the body should not be underestimated. Our body is like a vehicle that needs fluids in order to function efficiently. The state of losing fluids is known as dehydration and the only way to replenish the loss is through hydration.

The Importance of Keeping Your Body Well Hydrated in Zion

• Enables you to set out faster and farther
• Enhances your body to work harder resulting to more calories burned
• Feel better and stay cooler
• Fuels the body with more endurance, power and energy.
• Recover in real time so you can repeat the process all over again.

Symptoms of Dehydration

Dehydration starts when there is a feeling of excessive thirst. If this condition persists, it will continue to manifest signs that water percentage in your body is getting low. Decrease in energy and dry mouth are the early signs which can quickly result in headaches, nausea and cramps if not quickly attended to.

Keep your Body from Dehydration

A glass of water is a the best treatment to this unpleasant condition. The following tips are recommended by experts to ensure that your body is well hydrated:

• Constantly drink fluids rather than seldom but quickly sipping them.
• Drink fluids as early as 2 hours before exercising.
• Use energy drinks to easily help restore electrolytes and carbohydrates.
• Drink water after doing your workouts to help recover the water loss in your back and keeps its level back to normal.
• Hydrate as quickly as possible if clear signs of dehydration manifest such as urine color changes to darker shade and in lesser volume.
• Eventually, ensure that fluid is closer at your hand. If you are on a distant hike like in the back-country of Zion, make sure that you can restore the water loss instantly. Check for various hydration systems on how to easily carry your bottles to keep you hydrated.

When Can Over-hydration Occur?

Too much of anything can bring a negative result. Hyponatremia is the opposite of dehydration or over-hydration. This is a rare case which mostly strikes the athlete’s endurance like triathletes and marathon runners. This condition is also described when the levels of sodium in the blood gets diluted that impairs the function of cells. Severe condition may result to coma or even death.

Best Weapon Against this Dilution

Follow the below tips to keep your body always well hydrated.

• Maintain the balance of salt levels in your body by drinking sports drink with electrolytes rather than plain water or take salty snacks like pretzels.
• Replenish water while exercising so that you don’t have to take much of it.
• Try not to sip fluid more than what is loss.
• The level of water intake can be tested by weighing yourself before and after an extreme body workout. Remember that you should weigh almost the same. You are most likely drinking too much water if you gained weight after your physical activity.