Bryce Canyon

June 14th-16th 2015. We entered Bryce Canyon, NP on route 63 just off of Scenic By-way Route 12 and after a quick check of the Visitor's Center we headed straight to the campgrounds and secured a site for the next 2 nights. Then we drove to the General Store and walked around to get better situated. As we approached the rim trail we saw a group of horses and a few mules being ridden by guests heading through the stone formations and hoodoos.

The sun arcing across the sky casts a kaleidoscope of slowly altered hues and shifting shadows over the land. The high elevation and thin air causes effects that weather the cliffs and bulbous columns called hoodoos. "Who do you think that one looks like" as Bob and I looked at this intriguing landscape. Weathering and erosion shape these statuesque rock features, but unlike many places, flowing water only plays a minor role in this story. As snow and ice melt, water seeps into fractures. As it re-freezes, it expands and cracks the rock around it. This common process of frost-wedging happens with uncommon frequency at Bryce Canyons. We headed back to our site and made supper and a campfire. It was a beautiful night and the dark sky was full of bright stars. It is very special to be in National Parks in remote regions of our country and get to see clear dark skies full of twinkling lights from above. The next morning we had a leisurely breakfast and hiked out to the road shuttle station just outside of the campgrounds to pick up our arranged tour bus ride for the morning. The Rainbow bus tour driver was an excellent park interpreter and we headed first to the southern most point on the scenic drive, Yovimpa Point at 9,000 to 10,000 feet elevation.

From there we could view 150 miles out to the south and see cliffs that descend from there in stairsteps (Of Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument) are named for their rock colors-- pink, gray, white, vermilion, and chocolate. A stand of ancient bristlecone pines grows on the exposed edge of the plateau; the oldest in the park has been alive for more than 1,700 years. Navajo Mountain was visible in the distance as we were told that several movies were filmed on the lands in front of our views. One was Clint Eastwood's "The Outlaw Josie Wales", one of Bob's favorites.

One of the notable stops was at the viewpoint of Natural Bridge. A natural arch 85 feet long and 125 feet high. It's bright rusty red contrasts with the deep green of the trees below and the deep blue of the sky above. We departed the group tour at the parks main lodge. It is a beautiful rustic lodge about a hundred feet from the rim. I should note that this park runs along a natural ridge of Paunsaugunt Plateau and the scenic road follows it pretty closely. There are forests and meadows on the west side, and dramatic rock formations falling away from cliff edges on the east side. Precipitation drains way in either direction as well. Cicadas have emerged and were "clicking" and harmonizing in the heat.

We hiked down a portion of trail to "Queen's Garden" before returning to the top of the rim. There we spotted a large group of rescue personnel getting ready to head down into the rock formations to assist a person in need. They had a remarkable gurney that rides over a single center wheel. Two strong men, one at each end hurried down to make the rescue. The head can easily overcome you when hiking and it is recommended to take and drink a gallon of water with each person in your group. Hiking here is not for the faint of heart! Just looking down at Navajo Trail loop wiggling back and forth gives you a great appreciation for the forces at work here. We headed back to our camp and reflected on all that we saw.

The next morning we stopped at the first section of the park, Fairyland Point and took in morning views before heading on our way. The colorful array, spires and monoliths rise close at hand. Some stand isolated like chess pieces; others group together like Cinderella's Castle. It's all up to your imagination. "Going Places With Smiling Faces!"