It's all about Rides and Rocks (the trip that nearly wasn't) TR starts page 6

[PrincessInOz]

Beautiful shots of the Lower Canyon, Wendy. We debated as to whether we spend some extra time to explore the lower canyon and in the end we had to push on.

Glad to see that you got great colour. I hope you went to the Upper Antelope....

I'm glad to read that you thought it was quite a hike up to Horseshoe Bend. I thought it was a bit of a climb but then thought it might have been me and the higher altitude.

Sounds like you had a great dinner!

 

[Aussie Wendy]

No we didn't end up going to Upper. I might have but DH had seen enough and I didn't take much persuading as I was also keen to see Bryce Canyon and knew we could have a quick look if we had the full day free. Some thing to come back to one day when its a better time of year and we get to see the light beam effects as well.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Looking forward to seeing Bryce.

 

[Zosha]

Your photos are spectacular!

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Thanks Zosha

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Testing testing 1,2 3

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Testing testing 1,2 3

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Hmm for odd pics definitely like this but for a detailed TR think I will find it easier to keep doing my old way which is write the report in Word, embed the links to photos from Photobucket within the text and then just copy and paste the lot in at once - if that still works. Try that next.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Wed Nov 5 Red Rocks, White Rocks and Funny Hoodoo Rocks – it’s Bryce Canyon

Part 1

I had half planned to visit Upper Antelope Canyon this morning before setting out for Zion but in the back of my mind was always the temptation to just zip a bit further up the road and have a look at Bryce. DH said he felt he had seen enough of the canyons this trip so over a breakfast of waffles the decision was made. (As an aside not fussed on the other hot options for breakfast here, the eggs and the sausages really tasted yuck but the waffle mix was very good).

It was a pleasant drive to Bryce. Some scenery along the way.







Once we got along HW89 a while we got to see some trees and grass again which was nice, with cute log cabin style homes, cows and horses and even a river. It didn’t last long though and became drier and stonier the further along we went.

Red Canyon area from the road, 9 miles west of Bryce



In this area you drive through arches cut in the rock (pic on the way out as the way in are too blurry).

The national park entrance



We were excited to see this.



We stopped at the VIC then drove out to the further most points, Rainbow and Yovimpa. Got very excited by all the snow here, which was all along the Bristlecone trail, so off we headed, forgetting to check just how high we were.


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DH managed it Ok but on the way back starting feeling not too good – very giddy and faint and a bit worried he might collapse in the snow! We took it very slowly. The views up here out to the south & west over Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument were amazing. We could also make out Navajo Mountain and even the smoke from the Navajo Power Station in Page.

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Not so sure this 1800-year old Bristlecone Pine is actually alive? Looks dead to us?



Views from Yovimpa Point are the same as those from Bristlecone.



Walking to the opposite side of the carpark is Rainbow Point. This sign explains why DH felt week kneed-we’re up at the 9000 feet again.



This lookout looks over the national park and hoodoo-filled amphitheatres.




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There were lots of crows here.

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[Aussie Wendy]

Part 2 Outlooks on the way down to Bryce Point

We then followed the road back down stopping off along the way. This is a pic from Black Birch Canyon.



Then Ponderosa Canyon

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Next Agua Canyon with its much photographed hoodoos called The Hunter (to left) and The Rabbit (to right)

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Close up of The Hunter

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Different direction

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Natural Bridge was stunning.



Another hoodoo here



We think this must be Blue Spruce??



Farview Point had great views all the way across to Grand Canyon North Rim.





Bryce Point. First good look at the hoodoos in their splendid huge amphitheatre. Walking there.

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Formations known as The Grottos and as they open up along the ridge, The Windows.

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The amphitheatre. It really does look like a stone city. We kept spotting cathedrals and churches, Moroccan walled towns, Beijing’s Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China and Asian temples. We spent ages here.

I call this the Cathedral



Stone city



The Paiute myth of how it was formed



We called this The Great Wall of China



Close ups

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[Aussie Wendy]

Part 3 Getting inspired at Inspiration and Sunset Points

On to Inspiration Point. Three lookouts each higher than the next. DH only went to the first level.









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Panoramas

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Showing the trails within the amphitheatre




Sunset Point. It was now 2ish. I was flagging from starvation. We ate a scrappy picnic lunch of leftovers in the carpark looking at the surrounding forest, before walking up to an overlook with similar views to Inspiration Point.







Thor’s Hammer



I decided I wanted to walk the short rim walk to Sunrise Point. I knew we didn’t have the time for me to do a longer trail such as down into Queens’ Garden though it would have been good to get down amongst the hoodoos but with the height differentials it would be a slow trip back up. DH said he would drive the car around and meet me.

It was a nice short wander and I liked that it was wheelchair-friendly.

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From Sunrise Point

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Silly, but I had a job actually finding which path led to the carpark at this lookout! Had to ask for help. DH apparently also had a job finding the turnoff for this lookout – all the rest had been easy but this one was hidden behind a lodge that was closed for the winter. Still we reconnected eventually.

So the day was drawing in when we finally headed south and route 9 to Zion. First a view of one of the cutaways in the rock for the road on the way out.

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[PrincessInOz]

Stunning!

I was chuckling here about your statement about how DH was done with Canyons.....and then you head to Bryce Canyon.
Yes, the altitude is deceptive, isn't it? I hope that it wasn't too bad for DH.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Um yes. Phrased that badly. He said he really like Bryce though and well worth the detour - since he is the driver that was good. He only felt a bit ick on the last half of Bristlecone which was only a short walk anyway but I knew he wouldn't be game to try a trip down amongst the hoodoos. He seems OK at 7000 or so feet-its once we get over 8000 the wooziness kicks in. Says he can't explain the feeling, its unique but now he recognises what it is when it starts. We were very pleased we included the side trip.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Part 4 Capping a perfect day , Zion National Park

First a view of one of the cutaways in the rock for the road on the way out. Stunning scenery along HW 9.




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Checkerboard Mesa

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The twisty road
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Bighorn sheep – if you squint you can just see them
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Canyon Overlook, and entrance to the Mt Carmel Tunnel, too late to do the walk though we began then aborted when we decided it was quite a scramble and sunset was rapidly approaching.



We did stop for some quick pics of the way they made vents in the mountain to provide light and air to the Mt Carmel Tunnel though. This was competed in 1930 at the cost of half million dollars and the lives of two men.

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What is known as a blind arch – the Grand Arch. The Canyon Overlook trail actually comes out on top of this.

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We arrive at our accommodation in Springdale, La Quinta Inn and Suites, at sunset. Our room was on the second floor.

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Very impressed with our room here.


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Tonight we headed out to the Brew Pub near the entrance to the national park for dinner. It was nearly empty but the food was excellent. Pic taken the next day a bit earlier


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My dinner, salmon with a lemon granola crust and citrus dressing accompanied by a glass of local Ironstone red. DH got boring fish and chips. I even managed to fit in their speciality desert, apple pie with stout caramel, vanilla icecream and cream. Divine but somehow managed to not take a pic of it. We were right by a TV so watched the soccer while waiting and eating.


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Full moon rising


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Back in bed tonight the only negative was I froze. They only provided a light waffle weave blanket and this is in the mountains! I guess saves on cleaning bills but it was perfect weather to snuggle in. We could open the window for fresh air which is what we like to do or we find we wake up with stuffy headaches but even with the window closed I really needed a much warmer blanket (and air con cranked up high). In the irrationality of the middle of the night I got quite cranky!

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Thursday Nov 6 Exploring Zion

Part 1 Riverside Walk

After the disturbed early part of the night, we slept in a bit which was nice. Breakfast had an attendant who served you waffles and ready-made real (Canadian as they call it) bacon, egg and cheese on a proper English muffin and warm cinnamon scrolls – yummo! Also the usual array of cereals, yoghurt and fresh fruit. This was one of the best of the breakfast choices on the trip and certainly a cut above the other Quality Inns.

Despite feeling like we had a slow start it was still only 8.30am when we headed out into the canyon before the crowds. Being November we could drive the road, in peak season they have a shuttle. It was pretty busy, most of the accommodations were full. We drove straight out along the scenic drive to the Narrows, stopping once or twice to walk down by the Virgin River for some pics.

The official entrance

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On the scenic drive

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The Virgin River and Court of the Patriachs

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Deer on the road

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Having parked at the Temple of Sinawava, already getting very full, we followed the Riverside Walk to The Narrows. We had already decided it was too cold to get wet to walk up the Narrows Gorge though you can hire all weather wet-gear and overshoes and walking poles. We enjoyed a slow walk stopping often along the trail. I love the contrast of the red and white rock here and the foliage colours.

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Some Fall colours

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A swampy area where the rock cannot hold the water



Down by the river

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I love the turquoise in this pic



Proof DH was on on the walk with me.




We spent some time at the Narrows watching people suit up and head out-and one crazy Dutch or German couple who spent ages scrambling over rocks at the narrowest part with no gear to get across with dry feet. They proceeded to struggle along a narrow bank on the opposite side but didn’t get very far til you had to take to the water so it was really all for nothing. We spend an even more amusing half hour further along the track watching them attempt to get back across with their packs and stay dry, climbing up and over huge boulders. He was doing OK but she couldn’t quite make it. It finally dawned on him to remove his pack and scramble across and give her a hand. They had quite an audience of walkers and photographers and they got a cheer when they finally made it! Amongst ourselves of course we all were commenting what idiots they were and expecting one of them to fall in at any minute.

Pic below at the Narrows. I had an interesting conversation with a local elderly couple here about the crowds that take to the walk in summer when the water is usually quite low and warm so no need for gear. This is the first year they have still run the shuttle bus on weekends in November and given the crowds trying to park at trail heads today I suspect they will soon extend it to weekdays too.


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And where the couple decided would be the best place to cross



Back at the car

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[Aussie Wendy]

Part 2 Emerald pools

We decided to go straight to the Emerald Pools next as we were still full from breakfast. This was a lovely walk up a steep gorge and past three waterfalls, barely running though after a hot summer. We parked near Zion Lodge, we think illegally; getting a carpark at the trailheads now it was later was becoming a challenge.

Zion Lodge, very pretty setting



Beautiful scenery at the start of the walk

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Waterfall into the first pool.


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At the second pool, not very emerald!


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DH stayed here and I hiked on up to the third pool which was quite a scramble all uphill. This was right at the back of the cliffs and after decent rain would be quite spectacular I expect. Today it was barely a drip and the pool at the base was tiny.

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A pic looking out from up here.



Some more pics on the way back down.



Showing the first waterfall, the second pool is at the top of the lip and the third is tucked up in the crevice at the back of the gorge.

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My patient hubby

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Crossing the bridge back to Zion Lodge


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I love the way the trees made a tunnel over the road here



Back at our hotel

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After parking, we took a wander along the main street checking out a few galleries, but not many as we were now starving. Most of the cafes were pretty busy and our stroll ended by a minimarket so we ended up with an interesting salad pack with sunflower seeds and bacon and other stuff in it and a BBQ chook and crisps. We took it back to the hotel and settled ourselves by the pool with this glorious view for a very late lunch. After the event found a small sign that said no food or drink in the pool area – oops! But we cleaned all our rubbish away and left it spotless. It was a very relaxing way to spend a couple of hours.

Some of the shops in Springdale

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[Aussie Wendy]

Part 3 A final sunset

Later in the hotel room doing some interneting, we had to sort out Durango Hotel who had charged us for the room though it was prepaid and then discovered Page had done the same – sigh. It ended up taking multiple phone calls over the next few days and back in Aus to get Durango sorted as they kept saying they’d investigate and ring us back and never did anything. Page were more efficient and the credit came in pretty quickly. I also wasted time trying to get a 50% off deal work to buy Love tix in Vegas but our credit card kept being rejected so had to give up. The plan was to head out for sunset but we wasted too much time with the above and misjudged the timing.

We parked at the Visitor’s Centre as I had read to beat the crowds by the Canyon Junction bridge, which was considered the optimum sunset viewing spot, take pics along the river on the Pa’rus Trail that winds along the river past the campground. However, along the way we discovered it was closed so had to retreat back to the car and drive further along.

Lovers locks by the VC

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Sunset from the VC so we were already too late.



We parked near the Museum and rejoined the trail. Although it was a bit late we still had an enjoyable walk on the Pa’rus Trai and took lots of pics of the mountains and river.

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DH is trialling some camera feature in the next few shots.
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Bighorn sheep I think (or maybe they were deer?)-tiny dots at the foot of the cliffs.







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It was dark by the time we got back to the car. Due to stuffing ourselves silly with such a late lunch, we decided we couldn’t face dinner anywhere so it was back to our minimart and microwaveable container soup for dinner which hit the spot. Watched a good old Poirot on the TV-not one we’d actually seen before and so to bed. This time I wore some extra layers!

 

[Kristin5]

Beautiful photos - and spectacular scenery!

 

[PrincessInOz]

*sigh* Zion is one of my favourite NPs in the US. Your pictures make me wish I had a trip planned to head back there.
The last time we were there was 15 years ago and it was springtime. That area with the dripping water was just covered with columbine flowers and it was easy to see why they called that area the Hanging Gardens. The Emerald pools are so gorgeous. And I was one of those idiots that walked up the narrows for a bit. Fortunately, I had the right footware and didn't fall.

 

[crazy Cat Lady]

Zion is beautiful, will have to put this on our to do list for next trip.