Saturday, 25th September 2010
After a 'make your own' breakfast we set off for a visit to Bryce Canyon. On the way we took in the views at Zion Overlook and Cedar Breaks National Monument. These may have been a taster for what was to come but really there was no comparison to the fantastic sights that met us at Bryce Canyon. The colours and shapes of the hoodoos were out of this world. Setting out on the Rim Trail we found that round every corner the colours and rock formations changed to give a new scene to enjoy. After a stop at a camp ground for lunch we continued on this incredible journey, meeting up with 'Queen Victoria' at a sheltered spot for an afternoon break. Eventually we began the climb up the Navajo Trail which was an amazing exercise in sympathetic engineering of a steep path. What a start to our holiday!
Bryce Canyon is not actually a canyon but a giant
natural amphitheatre created by erosion along the eastern side of the
Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called
hoodoos, formed by wind, water and ice erosion of the river and lake bed
sedimentary rocks. The red, orange and white colours of the rocks provide
spectacular vistas for park visitors. Bryce is at a much higher elevation than
nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet.
Our first stop . . .
at Zion Overlook
in Dixie National Forest
where some of the trees are past their 'use by' date
Autumn is on its way
Another stop gives the opportunity to take in . . .
views over Cedar Breaks National Monument, at 10,000 feet elevation
Red Canyon gives a foretaste . . .
of what is to come
But Bryce Canyon is so much more spectacular . . .
and as we begin the walk . . .
the vistas continually change . . .
with a new scene around every corner
Even the dead trees have an attraction of their own
But as far as the eye can see . . .
another shot is just waiting . . .
or another tree!
The colour contrasts are spectacular . . .
from every angle
The change in scenery . . .
just goes on . . .
and on
'Windows' highlight new views . . .
in various places . . .
with some easier to get to . . .
than others . . .
but here the zoom lens takes over
Spires reach for the air . . .
as the scene changes . . .
to an orange island in a green sea . . .
while a dead tree stands guard . . .
over the vast landscape
A group of riders tackle a steep slope
Anyone for a new garden feature?
Words just can't describe . . .
the dramatic scenes
A well-made path makes walking easy . . .
as long as you don't head in the wrong direction
Walt Disney couldn't have done it so well . . .
and I'm sure these hoodoos should have a name
Coloured walls frame the scene . . .
as do these
More contrasting colours . . .
and more riders (or is it the same group?)
A zig-zag path takes us down . . .
amongst the hoodoos . . .
and through . . .
an arch
The views are just as good from a lower level . . .
as we make our way to . . .
a sheltered spot for a short break . . .
and a meeting with royalty . . .
but a little explanation helps
On our way once more . . .
a familiar figure . . .
poses for the camera
Eventually we head for the climb out . . .
on the Navajo Trail . . .
where a steep path . . .
winds its way upwards . . .
through narrow gaps . . .
this way and that . . .
until we reach . . .
the last section . . .
and a final view from the top