Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park was wonderful! The views were great and the hiking that I did was breathtaking. I just wish that my knees were in better shape and I would have hiked more. Bryce Canyon has the largest number of Hoodoos in the world. A Hoodoo is described and having a "totem pole-shaped body". At Bryce a Hoodoo ranges from the size of a human to a height exceeding a 10-story building.

I spent almost 3 days in Bryce and still wanted to see more. My first day at Bryce Canyon started at Sunset Point. Even though it was called Sunset the sun rise was great and one picture does not do it justice, so I took a number of panoramas. The National Park drive is 18 miles in length and covered all of it from above the canyon. Next time, hopefully I will be able to go into the canyon.

Early Morning

If my knees were better

Across the canyon

Multiple pictures stitched together

The sunlight was great

View across the valley

Bryce Point had great views. Bryce Point is the best known geological feature in Bryce National Park and is an important part of the history of Bryce Canyon. It overlooks a massive amphitheater which is filled with countless hoodoos and grottoes. The trails at the bottom of the canyon looked flat but getting there and back was the issue and when there are horses on the trail it makes it even harder.

Trails at bottom of the canyon

Hoodoos from a different angle

More hoodoos

The views were spectacular

Hoodoos

Natural Bridge was exceptional and the hoodoos were great. I could have taken more pictures here because every angle showed something different. Though the name tends to be misleading, Natural Bridge is one of several natural arches in Bryce Canyon and creates a beautiful scene at this viewpoint. This arch, sculpted from some of the reddest rock of the Claron Formation (rich in iron oxide minerals), poses a stark contrast to the dark green of the Ponderosa forest that peeks through the arch from the canyon below.

Inspiration Point is a breath-taking viewpoint overlooking the Bryce Canyon maze of colorful hoodoo formations. It is understandably one of the most popular areas in Bryce Canyon National Park.

On the way

Right beside the road

Rainbow Point Bristlecone Loop.

This is the highest elevation of the park exceeding 9100 ft. Here the forest is dominated by Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir and White Fir. Some of the trees here are 1800 years old. This kind of forest makes good habitat for grouse, woodpeckers, owls, and a variety of squirrels and chipmunks. Here you are also sure to see Ravens and Steller's Jays. Get used to them, because you are going to find them everywhere in the park. These bird species are important reminders that although many plants and animals are limited to certain types of habitat, other kinds can range though several different habitats. I hiked for probably three miles here. The bristle cone loop is about .8 of a mile. There had been a fire a few years ago and the forest is starting to come back.

Well work the hike

You can see how the forest is starting to come back

Once you get to the half way point.

You can see the Grand Staircase from here.

Even in the burned areas

Some trees will never come back

Even so...

Some are starting

Some were not effected

I ran into this chipmunk on one of my hikes in the woods. I almost walked past the log and then caught a movement out of my eye. I spent about an hour with him and I think I got lots of good pictures that tell a story.