Bryce Canyon Lodge
Yes folks...its been awhile since the last post. Terry and I have been trekking thru some incredible scenery the past couple of weeks and there has been little to no access to the Internet. We just finished up a two day stay at Rocky Mountain National Park (Park #10) in route to our next destination - Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We're holed up at the DoubleTree "campground" in Grand Junction, CO so I could get caught up with this blogging thing!
Bryce Canyon was our second stop along our Trek thru the Parks. Our campsite for this part of the expedition was at the Bryce Canyon Lodge.
The cozy cabin at Bryce was a far cry different than camping in Zion! We were situated about 100 yards from the canyon rim.
Day one of our visit to Bryce began with an 18 mile scenic drive beginning at the Visitor's Center and ending at the far reaches of the Park at Rainbow Point. One of the viewpoints along the way is the Natural Bridge shown above.
Bryce is primarily noted for its Hoodoo's - tall pillars of rock with unusual shapes carved out of the cliffs by the forces of erosion. The Hoodoo's take on all sorts of shapes as evidenced below.
When viewing Hoodoo's as when viewing clouds...one will see a variety of individual images. This particular Hoodoo struck me as a pair of Butt Cheeks...so that's what we named it!
Actually, Bryce is not technically a "canyon" but the result of 144 million years of sedimentation, uplifting and erosion which resulted in the Hoodoo's and Fins seen throughout the Park.
At 8000'-9000'. Bryce is the highest part of the Colorado Plateau which steps down to Zion and then eventually to the Grand Canyon. At 9000', Terry and I found the air a bit thinner than what us lowlanders are accustomed too!
Day two of our Bryce Trek took us down into the canyon via the Queen's Garden Trail. Like the Kolob "death march", canyon hiking means you descend when you're fresh...and climb back out when you're pooped! The color differential of this area is incredible depending upon what time of day you view it! Early morning and late afternoon provide a kaleidoscope of color!
Unlike the Rim Walk which is crowded with "tourists" (much different folk than us "trekkers"), not very many venture down into the canyon...which suits me just fine! My idea of trekking thru the Parks is to get as remote as possible and as far away from the crowds as I possibly can!
I believe we saw a grand total of 6 people on our Queen's Garden Hike. Most all of the peeps you meet on the trail are good peeps. We meet Ingrid, a German lady on our way up Navajo. She asks us which way the trail goes as it seems she has lost her way. Apparently, Ingrid made a wrong turn and wandered up the Two Bridges Trail which dead ends up a very steep embankment and she has skidded to the bottom on her butt. Her husband and son have ditched her so we invite her to tag along with us.
She and Terry immediately begin chatting it up. I'm amazed at women's ability to talk while hiking. The two of them yak and yak and yak all the way up the steepest part of the trail like there is nothing to it. I have now discovered the secret to hiking strenuous trails with Terry. Invite another female for her to talk too...the two of them will become so engaged in conversation that they will be oblivious to the physical nature of the hike!
Meanwhile, I will take in the scenery and snap away on my Canon!
Living at 9000' above sea level in a harsh environment isn't easy! Only the strong survive...like this Bristlecone Pine hanging on to the edge of the Canyon lip! Bristlecones are among the oldest living things on earth. The oldest recorded Bristlecone celebrated its 4,765th Birthday while we were at the Park!
Our wimpy morning hike down to Queen's Garden and back up the Navajo Trail wasn't enough for us so later in the day...when it really began to get hot...we trekked on down to the Tower Bridge. This hike, rated "strenuous" takes you past Sunset Point, the China Wall and a myriad of Fins and HooDoo's.
Getting there is the easy part. Getting back..."Hydrate woman...hydrate! We don't want to repeat Kolob!"
Happy Trekkers at Tower Bridge
The best way to experience Bryce is to get off the Rim Walk and get down into the canyon. It's peaceful, mysterious and offers an incredible variety of visually stimulating scenes! Happy Trails friends!
Next destination...Capitol Reef National Park.
The view is so gorgeous! Pretty relaxing view to look at specially when your tired.
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