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Show NFS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 7 Page 1 Washington County, UT Zion National Park MRA DESCRIPTION The Floor of the Valley Road is a paved, two-lane scenic park road, located in Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. Zion Canyon is a narrow, deep canyon carved by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The nine mile long road, whose width varies from twenty-two to twenty-six feet, is flanked by towering sandstone cliffs (including the Great White Throne) and passes through a variety of ecological areas. Vegetation includes Fremont cottonwoods, willows and velvet ashes. The Floor of the Valley Road begins at the south park boundary and entrance station and continues north for one and one-half miles until just after it crosses the North Fork of the Virgin River. At the junction with the ZionMt. Carmel Highway, the Floor of the Valley Road branches off northward along the floor of Zion Canyon, closely following the alignment of the river on the east side, and terminating at the Temple of Sinawava. Only the seven and one-half mile portion from the Zion-Mt. Carmel junction to the terminus meets National Register criteria for listing. The Floor of the Valley Road was designed and constructed to harmonize with its surroundings. This includes the usage of a red tinted chip-sealer on the roadbed itself and native sandstone blocks in construction of associated features. Road features include retaining walls, culverts and drop inlets, remnants of an original bridle trail, and six parking areas. Except for the bridle trail and the Grotto Parking Area, all contribute to the road's significance. In addition, there are two bridges historically associated with the early road, one located at Cable Creek and the other at Oak Creek. The Cable Creek Bridge retains integrity and is being individually nominated; Oak Creek Bridge lacks integrity and is discussed below. The road has been well-maintained and is in excellent condition. The road surface consists of 2 inches average of cut-back plant mix asphalt and red chip-seal coat over 6 inches of crusher run gravel base. The red color of the chip-seal material is considered an important aspect of the road because it reflects and perpetuates the NPS landscape architects 7 initial intent to ensure minimum visual impact to the natural surroundings. INTEGRITY The one and one-half mile section of road that extends from the south entrance until just past the North Fork of the Virgin River Bridge is ineligible for listing due to poor integrity. In 1961-1962 this stretch of road was rebuilt following a different alignment, thus it no longer retains integrity of location, design, or workmanship. The point where the Floor of the Valley Road meets the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, known as Canyon Junction, was modified (also presumably during Mission 66) from a "Y"shaped |
