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Show ZIOX PARK HAS BANNER SEASON Zion National park enjoyed its banner year in 1926. according to the annual report of acting Superintendent Superin-tendent Richard T. Evans to the National Na-tional Park service. During the past season 21.964 visitors registered at Zion. an increase in-crease of 5147. or 30.6 per cent, over 1 9 25. These visitors came from every state in the Union; many from foreign countries. And the bulk cf the visitors traveled in their own automobiles. IS. 923 of the total going go-ing by private autos. The report of Superintendent Evans discloses that work on the much-desired new road from Zion canyon to the north rim has been halted because detailed surveys have shown the original route is not leasable from an engineering standpoint. stand-point. The bureau of public roads is seeking another route, and is surveying sur-veying the Parunuweap route in the hope that it will be feasible. Superintendent Super-intendent Evans recommends: "With the acquisition of a strip adjacent to the checking station area, plans should be made for the location and construction of the building which go to make up the administrative administra-tive and utility groups, including a water 'vstim and a sewer. A fine spring, distant 59u0 ft to the north and 6'H feet higher, is available for ! the water system development. It j is believed that no government shop, j office, or residence should be built I farther up the canyon. "It is hoped that plans for the fu- ' ture development of the lodge or hotel group will so far progress this winter as to eliminate the old Wiley ! camp as quarters for the hotel em- I ployees by the construction of one or two first-class modern dormitories. I "Now that an excellent trail reach- ' es Observation point, the need of a ! shelter Is manifest. As the trees on the point are pinons. w ith little shade and much pitch, a structure providing provid-ing a good roof, table for lunches, ami seats should be erected. A cis- I tern to catch water from this roof would be desirable, as there is no water to be had along the trail. , "The recommendation of last year is renewed for a topographic map of the park by the geological survey to be published like the one of Yose-mite Yose-mite valley, with the geologic storv printed on the back." Director Mather of the National Park service, in his annual report, summarizes what Mr. Evans has to say about Zion. Referring to Bryce canyon, Mr. Mather says: "The status of the proposed Utah National park remains the same as reported in my ninth annual report. So far the government has been unable un-able lo secure the private holdings in this area, and under the terms of the act of congress creating this park it cannot be established until title to these lands has been vested in the United Slates. Until the park is established es-tablished the area w ill continue to be known as the llryce Cainon National Na-tional monument." |