OUR LAST DAY IN ZION

West Rim trail

We took the shuttle bus to the Grotto stop then hiked part way up Angels Landing as far as Walters Wiggles then took off on the West Rim trail for a day of peace and solitude away from the masses climbing the last part of Angels Landing, we have done it twice – it is a spectacular hike but not when its so busy, as the last part is on a narrow uphill ridge with chains.

We were surprised just how busy Zion was but it was the weekend and the last one for the shuttle buses but as always if you go on some trails you have the place to yourself.

Angels Landing from the bottom and in photo below looking across to it in the centre right

The end of Zion Canyon 

Lizard's lunch

West Rim trail

Last campfire toasted marshmallows remembering over the years the campfires with have shared with my grandson Ash, Ron and Claudette from Michigan and last but by no means least TelSal who made super S'mores – such happy memories!

While we sat watching the stars and moon there was a group on the site playing drums, a flute and singing – I think it was the spirits of the Paiute Indians.

ZION – MOUNT CARMEL HIGHWAY AFTERNOON

Roy biked up early and got a site at South campground in the Park $8 – that's more his price! We had a walk before lunch along the Pa'rus Trail in hot sun and blue skies again.

In the afternoon we took the Dodge back through the Zion – Mount Carmel tunnel to have a look at the scenery above Zion. We have driven this area a few times but we always had the trailer on and there are limited stopping places. We had a super time, chatted with a couple from St George who were offering to buy the Dodge, then hiked a one mile round trip to an overlook and saw a herd of bighorn sheep.

Pa'rus trail at Zion

South Campground in Zion

    On the Zion - Mount Carmel Highway

looking down at the entrance to Zion - Mount Carmel tunnel

We ended our evening with a night at the cinema to see “Everest” based on a true story. It was mesmerizing, I was enthralled from beginning to end with fantastic scenery shots, I felt as if I had climbed Everest myself!

The I Max screen made it even better and it was in 3D (when we finally got our glasses – we paid but they didn't give us any – had to go back out to get some – could only happen to us!)

As we walked back by the light of the moon – the biggest shooting star I have ever seen traced across the sky and dropped behind the mountain – awesome!

HIKING THE HOODOOS IN BRYCE CANYON, UTAH

Good old generator had a bit of a wobble this morning – Roy brought her in and put the oven on to see if the warmth would help – not – so he started the Dodge and sat it in front of the exhaust and bingo – she lives to go another day!

We had our last ever hike in Bryce – one of the most unique, spectacular places ever with the largest concentration of hoodoos in the world.

We hiked from the campground along the rim trail to Sunrise Point, down to Queens Garden then up at Navajo trail to Sunset Point then back along the rim. How lucky were we – we just got back to the trailer when it poured down!
We enjoyed a lovely last evening at the Lodge listening to the Ranger give a talk called Nature Journaling. Fascinating, bits of history about how explorers used journals and why we should keep them.

        the sun shone on these rocks and made them look as if they were lit up!

Now in Zion but as usual the campground was full so spending one night hopefully in Springdale at the exorbitant price of $50 but not complaining as got wifi. Roy will bike down early in the morning to bag a site – fingers crossed!

CAPITOL REEF AND GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT, UTAH

We drove through Capitol Reef calling at Fruita for the obligatory home made fruit pie, had a look at the campground which has received a makeover since we were here last, decided we would not camp here as the weather forecast was rain/storms. This managed to stay away until we drove to the summit at 9600 ft just before Grand Staircase Escalante when we had our head in the clouds with rain, sleet and snow flurries and 2oC for an hour.

Clouds cleared as we descended and gave us the stunning views, so pleased we re-visited this area again, we had forgotten so much of it.

We arrived at Bryce National Park and got a site on North Campground, generator and heater on!

Capitol Reef 

Fruita

Gifford House

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase

View from Head of Rocks - Grand Staircase Escalante

NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT, BLANDING TO HANKSVILLE, UTAH

After a 2am wake up call with a huge lightning, thunder and torrential rain storm which lasted 10 minutes we set off next morning in sunshine despite the forecast of thunderstorms.
We drove to Hanksville taking a short detour to Natural Bridges National Monument for 4 hours. We've been here before but did not hike to the bridges themselves. This time we hiked down to Sipapu Bridge, one of the largest natural bridges in the world, 220 ft high and 268 ft across - quite stunning to stand underneath!
We also went down to Kachina Bridge and the trail to Horse Collar ruins, the weather lasted till we saw Owachoma Bridge the last of the three before the fork lightning made us retreat from the high rocks. As we left we came across hailstones on the road so we really missed to worst. Rainbows ended the 9 mile scenic drive. On through pretty scenery to Hanksville and more thunder!

 

                                          Sipapu Bridge

                                                                     SIPAPU BRIDGE

                                                                SIPAPU BRIDGE

                       
                         CAN YOU SPOT THE HORSE COLLAR RUINS?    SEE BELOW

                                                                 KACHINA BRIDGE

                                                              OWACHOMA BRIDGE

                                                      Just loved these clouds!

                                                          Colorado River near Lake Powell

                                     Hite Overlook at Lake Powell