Oct 27, 2018
Bryce Canyon National Park ~ Part 1
We were up at 6AM ( in reality 6:15 ), getting ready to leave, filling water bottles and packing food and clothes for changes in climate. I am so very very tired of wearing the same black fleece pants and black and white stripped top for the last two weeks. Blast this horrid weather. I am beyond ready to get warmed up. We were out the door five minutes late at 7:05AM. Sounds like a good time but the RV is in Arizona and Bryce is in Utah so already it was 8:05AM 😯 Good thing that we had filled the Jeep’s tank at the end of our last adventure. The Indian band that runs the RV park also has a gas station and we only have to pay $3.09 per gallon as opposed to $3.39 to $3.59 which the stations in Fredonia or Kanab are charging.
Always something especially scenic to see anywhere in this area. Bryce is 110 miles from the RV park, so a two hour drive.
Today was the day based on weather to visit Bryce. There had been a mention of fog on Accu Weather for 7AM but we were approaching 9AM when this rolled in. Gulp. One forecast said partly sunny while another said mostly sunny. Which would it be?
Just as we turn off of Hwy 89 onto Hwy 12 we enter the Red Canyon area!
Wow! The colors remind us of when we were in Jaipur, India also known as the “Pink City”.
Tunnel on Hwy 12 in the Red Canyon. The light was poor when I took this.
Eventually we reached the Park gate where much to my chagrin I discovered that the $35.00 weekly fee was only good for Bryce and no other National Park. Seems we somehow did not get the memo that we should have purchased the annual $80.00 pass which is good for all National Parks for one year. We would have saved $25.00. I am looking at it as a donation to the National Parks.
The shuttle system was shut down for the winter so we were on our own driving from scenic point to scenic point which we quite liked as that way we had whatever we needed with us in the car such as water, snacks and a place to leave the various layers of clothing as the temperature rose. It was supposed to be a day of half cloud and sun but by mid morning we were treated to mostly blue sky and temps around 69F. Another perfect day.
After a stop at the visitor center we drove to the Bryce Canyon Lodge where we could walk either towards Sunset or Sunrise Points. The light was perfect for photos taken from Sunset Point.
We started with the view points surrounding the Amphitheater.
Colin went down the Navajo Loop Trail a bit to get some interesting photos. It was too steep for me with a 550 foot elevation change. Colin is the first dot on the left in the group of four.
Zoomed right in. I wish that I could have joined him. Next time I will have hiking poles.
This was the only viewpoint where we were surrounded by a busload of tourists. I suspect that this might have been one of the few viewpoints they saw before being whisked to Zion for the afternoon. Photo taken by Colin from the trail.
Also from the Navajo Trail.
He wasn’t down there too long but enough to get some great panoramic shots.
Taken from Bryce Point.
From here we drove to Rainbow Point which is the highest viewpoint in the park at 9115 feet. The parking lot is also for Yovimpa Point which was closed due to fire. We had planned to do Bristlecone Loop but it was also closed.
As we drove up along the ridge we saw signs of fire which had happened just this past September.
I was still chilly up that high.
I was warming up by the time we got to Black Birch Canyon.
Each viewpoint had a great but different vista.
I did eventually take off those socks.
Again I could just stand there and look out for hours and hours.
This guy was posing hoping for a handout.
Just a few miscellaneous photos taken throughout Bryce Canyon.
To be continued 😆
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Nice photo day for you. It is amazing territory.
It was so very unique and extraordinary.
Loving the pics and they bring some wonderful memories back to us. I am so glad you were able to fit Bryce into your schedule. I just thought it was the most diverse.
It was so very different than the other parks we have seen to date. We really thought that it would be too late in the season to visit but it worked our perfectly.
Wonderful photos and just know that Colin is in his element. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Bryce and Zion many years ago.
I wonder how many Americans actually get to visit these places. Certainly something that everyone should see.
Those National parks do have some amazing scenery, nice that you were able to enjoy it there. The National Park Pass is definitely the way to go.
More great pictures.
Yes we now know about the annual pass. Both amazing and awesome scenery 🙂
so beautiful there. glad you are getting to enjoy it.
So happy that we made the time to be able to do all of these adventures.
Great pictures of awe inspiring scenery. They really encourage us to check it out for ourselves.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
Rick, you and Kathy really need so see some of these special places. We are so fortunate that because of the Balloon Fiesta we had this extra time to explore this area of the USA before we head into Mexico. Normally we just transit thru the US.
Was there in 1986! Was so ‘other worldly’.
So glad that you had the change to visit there and enjoy it.
Fuel prices are going up in the U.S. and Canada and are starting to match Mexico’s in some parts.
Yes we are feeling the prices with all of our touring about.
Wow, I am so jealous! We have always wanted to do Bryce Canyon but the weather has never worked out. Beautiful pictures!
Thank you. We have been fortunate with the weather for all of our visits to the National Parks except the South Rim where we froze but by bundling up we were still able to enjoy it. One day you really have to get there.