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Southwest National Parks - 2018
Capitol Reef to
Bryce Canyon
Day 15 - May 4
One more look out our AirBnB window before hitting the road
On our way to Bryce Canyon. We will take Utah Highway 12 all the way. It is one of a select few in the United States designated as an All American Scenic Byway
Ascending into the Boulder Mountains
The Great Western Trail is an all-purpose road that runs from Canada (Idaho) to Mexico (Arizona)
Mostly above the trees
Viewpoint looking south to the Grand Staircase, a vast expanse which includes the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion
Looking back toward Boulder Mountain
Boulder, Utah
Dramatic landscape changes
This portion of the byway is called the "Hogback," where the land drops off on both sides of the road
Notice the red rock in the deepest part of the canyon
Calf Creek
Descending toward Calf Creek Campground
Escalante RIver
Climbing the mountain
Head of the Rocks Overlook
Viewpoint within the Grand Staircase-Esclalante National Monument
Large petrified tree at Escalante Petrified Forest
Wide Hollow Reservoir at the Escalante Petrified Forest Trail
The Escalante Petrified Forest Trail
Petrified wood
That's our car down there
Our lunch view
Back on the road
Powell Point - we will see it from many angles in the next few days, including from Bryce Canyon
Eastern entrance into Bryce Canyon National Park
Mossy Cave section of Bryce Canyon
Inside the main part of the Park. Inspiration Point. Powell Point in the background, top left
Ric at the highest part of Inspiration Point
Bryce Point
Plenty of deer here
Bryce Canyon
Day 16 - May 5
This morning we arose early to catch sunrise at Bryce Point
The lighting on the hoodoos (that's what the spires are called) changes so rapidly
Back on the 18-mile scenic drive, the deer are out for their morning grazing
We drove to the end of 18-Mile Drive, and will work our way back toward the village, stopping at each of the viewpoints. All viewpoints are on the eastern side of the road; this way, no left turns.
This is Rainbow Point
Yovimpa Point
A little snow left from a recent storm. Bryce is the highest elevation park we visited; the plateau is 8,300 feet
Ponderosa Point
Agua Canyon
Natural Bridge
Farview Point
Unknown bridge at Farview Point
Piracy Point
PIracy Point - you can see a recent burn
More evidence of the burn on 18-Mile Drive
Swamp Canyon
Sunset Point - we'll spend the afternoon here
Thor's Hammer
From Sunset Point, Ric hiked the Navajo Loop Trail. Lots of switchbacks to get to the bottom of the canyon
A portion of the loop trail goes through this tunnel. The loop was blocked off just past it - so the hike will be a down and back today
The eyes have it
A level look at Thor's Hammer
More switchbacks
Gonna have to go back up eventually
Two Bridges - see them?
The upper bridge
The lower bridge
On the canyon floor
Hoodoo you love? (I didn't make it up)
Back up!
The welcoming party up on top
Sunset Point looking down on Navajo Loop Trail
Sunset Point-to-Sunrise Point Rim Trail
Queen's Garden Trail, which starts at Sunrise Point. We didn't hike this one
Sunrise Point
Sunrise Point, looking toward Sunset Point and the Navajo Loop Trailhead
Queen's Garden Trailhead
At Sunrise Point
Back on the Rim Trail, returning to Sunset Point
Our friend was glad to see us again!
Bryce Canyon
Canyon Horseride
Day 17 - May 6
We had a leisurely morning - breakfast at our favorite Bryce Canyon restaurant, Bryce Canyon Pines, then here at the Bryce Canyon Lodge. We are waiting for our afternoon adventure, a canyon horseback ride.
The corral - our rides await
The head wrangler asked us how much horseriding experience we had. "The last time we were on horses was 35 years ago - right here." No horses for us - we get mules. Kathy's mule is Rachel...
...and Ric's is Ford.
Off we go!
Well, Rachel decided to do what mules do. She wouldn't keep up, and Kathy had to fight her at every turn. Eventually our wrangler had to take Rachel's reins and lead her the rest of the way
Ford was a stubborn ol' coot too, but not near as bad as Rachel
The famous Naked Lady
It looks like a sand dune, but it's hard pack and gravely
Come on, Rachel!
Powell Point in the distance
Ric had started off right behind Kathy, but Ford decided he wanted to go off trail (and down a steep hill) in search of shrubs to eat. By the time Ric got Ford back on the trail, he was last in line
Wrangler: "Ok, Rachel, I've had enough. You're coming with me!"
Ford loved to walk on the very edge of the downhill side of the trail
Little tunnel
Fantastic hoodoos!
Halftime and a water break
Even the wrangler is fighting with Rachel
Hi Kathy!
How is that standing upright?
Back on top!
A successful roundup
Ford: "Get this guy off me!"
Survived and still smiling! Not so sure about Rachel!
Not smiling --- smirking
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