Another run through the Virgin River Gorge

[JWunderli]

I just got back from my bi-weekly business trip to St. George which my business partner and I always look forward to because it means a drive through the Gorge. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to drive this stretch of freeway, it is a blast. In fact it may be one of the most fun places to drive in the country (it is on I-15 in the northwest corner of Arizona on between Nevada and Utah).

Anyway, we get to Utah this morning and spot a black Ford GT (not the mustang variety, the $150,000 variety). Have read the post on the Forum about someone killing a Ford GT while on his test drive, I figure I'll catch this guy and see if he wants to have a little fun on the way to my meeting. He's passing a few people but not driving terribly fast so I didn't get my hopes up. I caught up to him relatively quickly (without even having to drive very fast) looked over and saw an older gentleman (probably early to mid 60s) with a passenger. I drive along side him for a short while and look at him occasionally but no go. This guy owned the car mearly to display wealth and not to have fun. Oh well. I did have a couple of great passes through the gorge and continue to be increasingly impress with the performance of the beast in terms of power, handling, and breaking. I love my car. If any of you want to do the drive, p.m. me and we can arrange something.

Jed

[cbutler32]

you mean this canyon run?


Hit the 15 connector and have oh 567 miles to go SD and 245 to Vegas...
And there are troopers and local cops everywhere!
Not as much as in Nebraska -
But darn near and they are pulling over people, writing a ticket, finishing and pulling out and tagging someone immediately.
I gas up for the 6th time in Beaver, Utah...
(That one is for you vvv90)
So let's just say the Vixen just tried to blend in for the next 3-4 hours...
I am approaching St. George and everyone is getting restless around me...
As the border is coming up for Arizona for I don't know maybe 10 miles...
Then Nevada!
YES!!!
We hit the border hard...
There is a couple of guys in SUV's, tricked out pick-ups and nothing of note car wise that are all rearing to run...
And get back up to "traveling" speed...
We are out of whatever town is right there on the border...
And I see the sign of 11 miles of downhill winding road...
All I can do is grin from ear to ear...
And start taking sweepers at traveling speed...
And really take them hard with no cars around and start hitting apexes hard...
Man does this car have no honest limits...
The back end just sits and plants itself firmly as you continue to give it gas throughout the turn and really likes it when you hit the throttle wide open upon exit...
What a car!!!
Now this is why I got this car!!!
I am really chewing up asphalt now...
And leaving car standing still...
I come out the bottom of the canyon pass and I am in the 3-digit arena with the biggest smile on my face
And honestly was thinking about turning around and going back uphill and coming back down to do it again!
I proceed a couple of miles a see 3 Lotus's powering up the road with a support van in tow - as they must be doing hot weather temp testing...
The run into Vegas is uneventful and I find myself in traffic and I have made some serious time from Grand Junction as it is only around 1:30pm...
Hmmm, Vegas and debauchery...
Or 5 more hours and my own bed and my wonderful kids...
You think I even debated that one?
So I hit the cell, blow off my buddies and say next time.

You mean that canyon?
Sincerely,
cbutler32

[JWunderli]

Originally Posted by cbutler32

you mean this canyon run?


Hit the 15 connector and have oh 567 miles to go SD and 245 to Vegas...
And there are troopers and local cops everywhere!
Not as much as in Nebraska -
But darn near and they are pulling over people, writing a ticket, finishing and pulling out and tagging someone immediately.
I gas up for the 6th time in Beaver, Utah...
(That one is for you vvv90)
So let's just say the Vixen just tried to blend in for the next 3-4 hours...
I am approaching St. George and everyone is getting restless around me...
As the border is coming up for Arizona for I don't know maybe 10 miles...
Then Nevada!
YES!!!
We hit the border hard...
There is a couple of guys in SUV's, tricked out pick-ups and nothing of note car wise that are all rearing to run...
And get back up to "traveling" speed...
We are out of whatever town is right there on the border...
And I see the sign of 11 miles of downhill winding road...
All I can do is grin from ear to ear...
And start taking sweepers at traveling speed...
And really take them hard with no cars around and start hitting apexes hard...
Man does this car have no honest limits...
The back end just sits and plants itself firmly as you continue to give it gas throughout the turn and really likes it when you hit the throttle wide open upon exit...
What a car!!!
Now this is why I got this car!!!
I am really chewing up asphalt now...
And leaving car standing still...
I come out the bottom of the canyon pass and I am in the 3-digit arena with the biggest smile on my face
And honestly was thinking about turning around and going back uphill and coming back down to do it again!
I proceed a couple of miles a see 3 Lotus's powering up the road with a support van in tow - as they must be doing hot weather temp testing...
The run into Vegas is uneventful and I find myself in traffic and I have made some serious time from Grand Junction as it is only around 1:30pm...
Hmmm, Vegas and debauchery...
Or 5 more hours and my own bed and my wonderful kids...
You think I even debated that one?
So I hit the cell, blow off my buddies and say next time.

You mean that canyon?
Sincerely,
cbutler32

Yeah, that one. Pretty fun, eh? I get to do it at least a couple of times a month. In fact, one time when I did it several years ago, I was driving with my sunroof open and three fighter jets out of Nellis Air Force Base did a fly by right overhead and we got to watch up close as they went through the whole canyon; it was awesome.

Next time your up, let me know and we can do the run.

[Moose]

I too love that area. You know you can't get to that road from an Arizona road? You have to leave Arizona into Utah and then re-enter back into Arizona. It is a very cool road and very beautiful. I stay in Mesquite, Nevada when I'm around there.

[GoofyTimL]

We did that run in May, and have done it at least twice before. Seems we're always coming "up" from Nevada though on our return trips east. Have never run it the other way... maybe someday. Have to get back to UT12 Scenic Byway one of these days.