Alison Edwards - Days 22-26 Ruby's RV Park, Bryce Canyon NP, UT

Days 22-26

April 26-May 1

It was really hard leaving Zion Monday morning. We had such incredible weather and amazing adventures, we couldn’t imagine how we could top all of that. We headed out at our usual time and knew we would have to take the long way around by heading west on route 9 to Hurricane and then up north on I-15, to route 20 over Anderson mountain and Burnt Peak. The scenery was absolutely beautiful coming down the east side. It’s amazing how much the landscape and geography and geology can change in a couple of short hours. The ride down 89 through the town of Panguitch to route 12 was very enjoyably flat. About 15 minutes outside of Ruby’s RV park, we passed under two natural Red Canyon Arches that were carved through the canyon walls, which was super cool!

We arrived at Ruby’s around noon in crazy windy conditions and much cooler, 45 degree temps. So off came the flip-flops and shorts and back into the wool sneaks, pants and jacket. Once we were set up, we headed out to check the lay of the land. Bryce NP is set up very similar to Zion, in that there is only one road in and out of the park. Only at Bryce, you can drive the full 18 mile stretch on your own to enjoy the spectacular views from above instead. The park provides more than 15 overlooks along the route. Most are easily walkable with bathroom facilities and ample parking. The NP system does a phenomenal job making these Natural Wonders accessible to all. Very impressive for sure. Since we only had the afternoon, we decided to visit all of the overlooks within the iconic Bryce Amphitheater section of the park. We were beyond stunned, to say the least, with the incredible red rocks, hoodoos, pink and white cliffs, and endless vistas, as we stood at the top of the Grand Staircase. Each of the five Lookout Vistas in the Amphitheater provided very unique and incredible views. When we arrived at the final Bryce Point, you could see the entire bowl-shaped area shaped by the winds and rains that created Fairyland Point, Sunrise and Sunset Point and Inspiration Point. We read that the Amphitheater is home to the highest concentration of hoodoos anywhere on Earth. The Paiute's believe that the legend people did something very bad and that Coyote turned them to stone and they still stand there today. What an spiritual, harmonious and sacred place. I guess Zion can be topped!

By the time we got back to the campground, we were pretty tired. We settled in and prepared ourselves for the night’s below freezing temps and forecasted snow showers. I was a bit nervous about waking up in a trailer with inches of snow at our doorstep, but I have to say it was a pretty exciting experience, especially knowing we survived! Since the temps hovered in the 30s for most of Tuesday and more snow was on the way, we decided to visit the rest of the overlooks from the warmth of the truck and with little Tucker by our side. The Canyon vistas were even more incredible and breathtaking with the snow covered hoodoos, ponderosa pines and endless views. The overlooks were the most spectacular landscapes we’ve ever seen. Although the photos don’t nearly convey Bryce’s splendor, I was grateful for the panoramas I was able to capture for our memories. What a unique place in our country. Before heading home, we went into town to check out the famous Ruby’s General Store and Inn. We learned that Ruby Syrett brought his family to the wilds of southern Utah in 1916 and that he and his family were so impressed with Bryce Canyon that they decided to tell as many people about the canyon’s beauty as they could. By 1919, they built their first lodge. Today, over 100 years later, Ruby’s grandchildren run their thriving business.

On Wednesday, we woke up early so that we could head out to the popular Queens Garden trail before the parking lot at Sunset Point was full. We were on the trail by 8:15 and started heading down the Rim trail to Sunrise point where we would pick up the Queen’s Garden trail. We were so excited to experience the Winter Wonderland of hoodoos. We were also so glad we brought our micro spikes. The temps were still in the 30s when we headed out and the trail was a combination of slush, ice, snow and red mush clay. It would have made for a difficult hike without them. And we really appreciated having them when we climbed up the steep switch-backs at the end of the Navajo trail back to Sunset point. This was one of the more busy trails which took us through an impressive concentration of spectacular hoodoos and iconic formations like Queen Victoria, Twin Bridges and Thor’s Hammer. Unfortunately the section called Wall Street was closed, so we climbed the crowded Navajo trail back up to Sunset Point. This was a great hike that allowed us to walk among such unique geologic formations.

The night time temps dropped down into the 20s again and thankfully the propane heat worked beautifully and we were comfortably warm. Thursday’s plan was to hike the quiet 8 mile Fairyland loop trail along the northern end of the park. We got up early again and started out on the trail at 8am in 30 degree temps. Within 4 hours, when we finished the hike the temps had risen into the 60s. We started out in winter coats and finished the hike in short sleeved shirts. You really need to be prepared for the extreme temperature and weather fluctuations when you’re living at 8000 ft. Our Fairyland Loop trail hike, now rivals our rim to rim Grand Canyon hike. This was the most amazing and visually mind-blowing hike we’ve done to date. It felt like we were literally on another planet. We wandered through a maze of multi-hued hoodoos, spires, cathedrals, cliffs, ridges and other incredible formations. Neither Rich nor I had ever seen anything close to what we experienced on this trail. I only wish the photos could capture the depth, beauty and uniqueness of what we shared together. We feel so blessed that we had the physical ability to hike this challenging trail. When we got back to the campground, we were exhausted and relaxed by the campfire, roasted some piggies, chatted with family and friends on the phone and then hit Ruby Inn’s hot tub. It was a perfect ending to a great day.

Friday was our last day in Bryce and the weather was absolutely perfect, 75 degrees and sunny. We were looking forward to mountain biking Thunder Mountain just outside of Bryce in the Red Canyon. We heard it had spectacular trails and thrilling vistas, with an incredible downhill section. Unfortunately, our bodies were exhausted and we decided it was best to just relax and recover from the past few day’s adventures. We enjoyed our time at the campground, sitting by the fire, reading our National Parks books and looking forward to our next few days of adventure in Capital Reef.

Destination- Ruby's Inn and RV Park, Bryce Canyon NP, Utah

One of the two Red Canyon Tunnels

Yep, we woke up to snow and temps in the high 20s Tuesday morning.

Oh my!

Time to explore!

Fairyland Point (7758 ft) on Monday. The high peak to the right is called Boat Mesa and the triangular peak to the left is called Sinking Ship.

Fairyland Point Tuesday morning! So glad we got to experience the winter wonderland.

Sunrise Point at 7920 ft. To the lower left is the trail to Queen's Garden and Navajo trail.

This little tree is about ready to get up and scurry away!

Sunset Point 8010 ft. It's amazing how different lighting affects to brilliance and colors of the hoodoos. This was our view at the end of our Queen's Garden/Navajo hike. Thor's Hammer can be seen in the lower right.

Inspiration Point at 8100 ft.

Inspiration Point looking North to Sunrise Point. New hoodoos being formed along the rim.

Bryce Point at 8296 ft. View of the entire Amphitheater.

Past the amphitheater to the south is the first overlook, Swamp Canyon at 7998 ft.

Farview Point at 8819 ft.

Natural Bridge at 8627 ft.

Agua Canyon Overlook 8800 ft

(Unnamed) Canyon overlook between Agua and Ponderosa Canyons.

Ponderosa Canyon at 8904 ft.

Black Birch Canyon

The final overlook to the south is Rainbow Point at 9115 ft. Highest point.

Heading out Wednesday morning from Sunrise Point to hike the Queensland/Navajo Loop to check out the hoodoos up close.

He's always making sure the trail is cleared for me. He's so sweet!

Queen's Garden ahead.

Every twist of the trail brought incredible views.

The highest concentration of hoodoos is found on this trail.

I seem to have a thing for lone little trees. Check out the one way up at the top of the hoodoo!

One of the two tunnels cut through the hoodoos to make way for the trail.

Heading into the Queen's Court.

Crossing under the pines on our way to Navajo tail.

The Wall Street section of the Navajo trail was closed so up, up, up we went to Sunset Point.

The spectacular Thor's Hammer!

Heading out on the short 1 mile Mossy Cave and Waterfall hike.

The ponderosa pines tower over the trail.

Indescribable!

Mossy Cave (grotto) fills with icicles all winter and often don't completely melt until June.

History of Tropic Ditch

Water Canyon Falls

It was a pretty cool experience to be able to sneak up behind the falls. What a fun little hike!

We started our Fairyland loop hike along the Rim trail. What a remarkable range of colors displayed in the Fairyland Canyon. The sun's angle really effects the color depth and richness displayed. Sinking Ship straight off in the distance.

He's so cute!

A hoodoo with a view of the Chinese Wall. And if you look closely, you can see one of the little adorable lone trees sitting up top.

Boat Mesa Towers above. You can see the trail coming back in on the right and wrapping around again.

Just around the bend, the same view takes on a whole new unique other-worldly landscape.

Most of these hoodoos are massive. Some tower over 200 feet.

Tower Bridge formation

This hoodoo has heart!

Another lone little pine thriving up top.

The trail just kept meandering back and forth and up and down through the breathtaking views of these unique towers, spires and castles in Fairyland Canyon.

The final climb out and back to Fairyland Point. What an incredible hike!

My boys relaxing.

We made great memories in the Land of Many Uses!

We are ready to explore Capital Reef!

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