Vacation 2010 - Day 16

Today was the last day of sightseeing of our 2010 Vacation. We planned to visit Zion National Park. So we left around 10 am, took I-15 to Highway 9 and followed it east. about 1 hour later we got to Zion. We checked the map and it turns out that most of the features of Zion can be explored of you go backpacking. Since dogs are not allowed on trails, that wasn't really an option. So we drove through the southern part of Zion. That are about 15 miles or so, but is still absolutely impressive and the rock formations are incredible. Something that definitely has be experienced in person. Guess at a later time we have to go back in to Zion without the dog and go backpacking. We crossed Zion from West to East and by the time we reached the East Entrance it was just a little after noon. So we decided to go up north to see Bryce Canyon National Park as well.
So we took US Route 89 north to Highway 12. We followed highway 12 east. First we reached the Red Canyon within the Dixie National Forest. That canyon has amazing rock formations, but the real absolutely impressive feature is, that this canyon has to most intense shade of red I have ever seen. It's hard to describe, that's something that has to be experienced in person. The color of the canyon did remind me about pictures of Mars. At every view point we stopped to take pictures and video of the Red Canyon.
We followed highway 12 and got to the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park. While we were driving the first few miles I started to rain lightly. I was thinking just what I want to do: Sightseeing in the rain. Fortunately it stopped raining pretty quickly. First we stopped at a point called Swamp Canyon. You have a pretty good view of parts of Bryce Canyon and here it becomes clear, why it is called a canyon. Until that point it reminded me more of your average forest. We drove further up and decided to stop at most of the view points on our way back down, since they all were on the opposite side.
We finally made it to Rainbow Point, the endpoint of the road and with an elevation of 9115 feet also the highest point of the canyon. From this point you have an absolutely amazing 180 degree view. You see one amazing view and you turn a little to either side you see an even more amazing view. The Hoodoo's are absolutely amazing. That are Sandstone Columns of the mast amazing sizes and forms I have ever seen. I have seen Sandstone Columns before but never that many in one place and not in that many different shapes and they're in the most amazing shade of red.
After we had taken pix and video we started to drive back down. We stopped at several view points and from every view point we had an absolutely amazing view. Here one viewing point stood out. This point was called Natural Bridge. It's kind of a rock bridge, but it reminded me way more of an arch. Regardless it was just amazing to look at. After taking pix and video we continued to drive down Bryce Canyon. We stopped at several amazing viewing points before we got to Bryce Point.
That viewing point has an absolutely incredible view. Again you have an 180 degree view of a Hoodoo's as far as the eye can see. It was absolutely incredible. While I was taking video I saw way down at the bottom what looked like a hiking trail... the only thing I thought was, that this has to be one of the most amazing hiking trails I have ever seen. Some of the trails at the viewing point is the way trails in the mountains are supposed to be... completely unsecured. I followed on trail towards Inspiration Point but decided to turn back in time, since Kenny was waiting in the car with Daisy. Once Kenny had gotten out to see the viewing point I checked the map and found out that you could actually hike from Rainbow Point to the Visitor Center. Okay, you can't do that in 1 day... that would be taking you a couple of days. Guess we will have to go back to Bryce Canyon and hike that entire trail, but in order to do so we have to leave the dog at home.
Next up was a viewing point called Paria View. This point has also some really great views, but doesn't even remotely compare to Bryce Poinr. I took video and then it was Kenny's turn. Once Kenny was back we moved on to the next point, called Inspiration Point. I walked up first and took video. Well it is pretty much a very similar view than the one you have from Bryce Point, but still absolutely impressive. You get a little better view of the hiking trail through the Hoodoo's. Once I was back, Kenny opted not to check out this particular view.
We then moved on Sunset Point. Kenny got out first and checked it out. It's another amazing view of Bryce Canyon and the Hoodoo's. You get as well a very great view where the hiking trail pretty much ends. After Kenny got back it was my turn. I really have to say that this viewing point certainly didn't disappoint. After taking video we moved on to Sunrise Point. This point is pretty much more of what we have seen so far.
After that we started to head back to the hotel, since it was almost 6 pm... and the drive back to the hotel would be about 2 hours. So we spent quite a lot of time in Bryce Canyon. The only way to describe Bryce Canyon is: absolutely amazing. The only thing I wish would be, that dogs would be allowed on trails!!