May 29, 2013 - Guided Rim Tour in Bryce

This morning we headed out to the Visitor Center to take our narrated tour to Rainbow Point and back.  While waiting for the bus, we met a gentleman who had just hiked “The Wave” - one of our bucket list items.  He gave us a few pointers and we continue to file them (and hoped we get picked in that lottery).

The bus arrived and off we went. Our tour guide was very informative about the history of the park.  We also learned about the different animals, trees, and plants and he pointed out a number of them as we rolled along.  We did see prairie dogs and many prong antelope - but I could not get any pictures - .

We made a few stops at the overlooks and our guide pointed out what we were seeing on the horizon.  Along the walk way, he also pointed out some plants and trees.

This is the needles of the bristlecone pine tree - they were very soft.  These trees can live over 1500 years.  They are located in the high country because they can handle all the elements - high winds, extreme temps, a wide range of dryness and wetness.  As they grow, their trunks twist but the bark does not twist - very interesting.  I posted a few twisted trunk pictures the other day.

This is known as the limber pine - it’s younger limbs can be tied together like shoelaces.

This whole area was once an inland sea and then pushed up and is now part of the Colorado Plateau.  However, the soils are just like those found in the seas.  As time goes by, they continually erode .

Here are a few pictures of Bryce Canyon National Park from our stops:

We really enjoyed the tour for the information.  There were only five overlook stops and there are fourteen in the park.  So it was a nice mix between the tour and doing our own exploring.

This afternoon we had a mix of weather - rain, hail, wind, sun, then rain and wind again.  Right now it is clear and the sun is setting.  The forecast for tonight is freezing temperatures and snow flurries - BRRRR...  Time to go.

We have had a great time here and tomorrow we are moving  north to Provo. 

Stay tuned and enjoy today.

May 22, 2013 Bryce Canyon National Park Rim Tour Part 2

The Journey continues along the Rim of Bryce Canyon.

Views from Farview and Piracy Points:

Wildflowers were all over:

Views from Paria Point:

Paria Point had a number of viewpoints.  The final one was this area.  It was so windy that we had to hang on to the railing - Yikees!   But the view, oh my! - see above.

Our next overlooks brought us to the Bryce Amphitheater where most of the hoodoos are located.  WOW is all I can say.

Enjoy:

Do you see the people on the trail in the above picture?  We hope to do some of those trails!

Breathtaking, Awesome, there are no words to describe it!  Tomorrow we hope to take some of the trails down into the canyon and walk among the hoodoos.

Before heading back home, we stopped at Ruby’s in Bryce Canyon City to pick up a few items and to check it out.  Ruby’s is this huge complex of lodging, campground, gas/propane stations, touristy stuff,  laundry, etc...   They have a few restaurants and also a country dinner show that we might check out.

This evening was relaxation time - and checking out all my pictures.

Enjoy today and stay tuned for tomorrow’s adventure.

May 22, 2013 Bryce Canyon National Park Rim Tour Part 1

Today we took the auto rim tour.  This tour goes 18 miles into the park with 14 overlooks into the canyons.  What I found fascinating is that on the west side is the Paunsaugunt Plateau and on the east side is the canyons.

The ranger recommended that we drive to the last lookout and then come north since all the lookouts were on the east side.  So that is what we did.

Bryce Canyon is technically not a canyon because canyons are carved by flowing water - stream or river.  Rainwater dissolves limestone, making the rounded edges of hoodoos but the freezing and thawing of water does most of the sculpting here.

Each of the overlooks offered different views of the different valleys/canyons below.  All were incredible.

So here we go on the tour:

Rainbow Point area:

We decided to take the Bristlecone Pine Hike which took us through spruce, fir, and bristlecone pine forests:

There were a few overlooks along the trail:

One of the programs they have in the park is “I Hiked the Hoodoos”.  There are nine special benchmarks along trails in these information tables.  We must hike at least 3 miles or more collecting these benchmarks.  We could either take a pencil rubbing or a photo of ourselves by the benchmark.   We decided to do photos:

This was at the top (9000’ in elevation) of the trail and it was VERY WINDY:

I am not sure if it was dead or not?

There were many dead trees throughout the forest - I just love their designs:

More views:

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The hike was easy and short - 1 mile - but hiking at 9000’ is different than 3000’ or less.  Andy did good but I had to stop a few times because of my breathing.  I am hoping it is only the allergies.

This was the road:

Views from Black Birch Canyon area:

Views from Ponderosa Point:

Views from Aqua Canyon Area:

Love the colors:

Natural Bridge area:

This is leaving the Natural Bridge Parking Lot.  Notices the pines - they actually go right to the edge of the canyon:

Part two is next.