Scouts Overlook, Zion National Park

We hiked to Scouts Overlook in Zion Park today.  We did not go to Angel's Landing!  A hike that requires using chains is not in our itinerary (do a search for pictures, cuz we aren't posting any!).  It looks awesome but no regrets!  Since we did not go to Angel's Landing we did continue on the West Rim Trail for a little bit and found a quiet place for lunch.  Yet another great day in Zion!

On the way up! 

 

Walter's Wiggles

Mr C (with Cathedral Mountain I think)

View above Scouts Overlook,  a nice lunch spot

Tree along Refrigerator Canyon

Going down!

View of the valley on way down

Looking back up after the hike

Bryce Canyon National Park

Wow, Utah really rocks!  We drove to Bryce Canyon today and it was great.   Bryce Canyon has an 18 mile scenic road.  We did the road tour and then decided to hike the "World's Best 3-mile Hike".  It did NOT disappoint.  It took our Bryce experience from fair to fantastic!



Cool colors and formations  (from road overlook)



Natural Bridge (from road overlook)

Trying to capture how many HOODOOS are in Bryce Canyon (road overlook)




This is little washed out  but gives an idea of entire landscape (road overlook)

 


Picture from Garden Trail.  Absolutely gorgeous!

Little tunnel on hike

Hoodoos against the bluest sky ever!

On the hike around Navajo Loop are a field of cairns.  Mr C got up close and personal!

The cairns are in trees - everywhere,  pretty cool

Heading up switchbacks on Wall Street, canyon with high rock formations

Looking down on Wall Street

Another fantastic picture of the hoodoos and Wall Street switchbacks

Zion Narrows hike, Zion National Park

We hiked the Zion Narrows today.  The hike route is the river.   60% of the hike is wading/crossing through the river.  When I initially read about the hike I was on the fence as to whether we would enjoy it or not.  We met a couple on the North Rim who said we should do it.  They really enjoyed the hike and she took at least 100+ pictures!  

The hike did not disappoint.  We loved it!   The water was cold but not unbearable.  I'm sure if we hiked it in the spring we may have rented equipment (wetsuit pants, etc) to protect from the cold.  You start the hike on the River Trail (paved for 1 mile) and then begin to hike/wade through the river.

On shuttle to trailhead,  can you find the rock climbers?

Start of river hike



Little water fall along river

Using my mad skills!

Hello!

Looks like ribbon candy 

Mr C. enjoyed it too!

Can you say AWESOME!

Kolob Canyon, Zion National Park

We drove into Zion National Park today with the dogs.  Originally we wanted to get an initial glimpse of the park and hike the Pa'rus Trail with the dogs.  Flash was not having any parts of this outing.  He was very nervous and did not like all the activity (cars, pedestrians, etc) so we decided to drive to the Kolob Canyon area of Zion National Park (approximately 60 mile drive).    Kolob Canyon was pretty but not worth the extra mileage in my opinion.  It would have been worth the trip if we had hit some of the hiking trails but dogs aren't allowed on the trails.

North Rim of Grand Canyon

We drove from South Rim of Grand Canyon to Glendale, Utah.   We got a view of the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell.  Once in Utah on 89N,  the drive was a beautiful scenic byway!  We really enjoyed the drive and were very happy we did not miss the views by driving during bad weather!

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is approximately a two hour drive from Glendale, UT.  The North Rim facilities close in mid-October.  We were able to see the Grand Canyon from the North Rim the last day all facilities were open!  We were so happy.  We did not think we would see the Grand Canyon from the North Rim.  Only 1 in 10 visitors to the Grand Canyon see it from the North Rim. 

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is approximately 1000 feet higher than the South Rim.  I think that is why I liked the views from the North Rim better.  The views are slopping and the eye is not so deceived by the shadows.  I also enjoyed the meadows, pines and birch trees surrounding the rim because of the higher elevation and temperature differences.  It helped it was cool and crisp and felt like Fall! 

Cool tree heading on path to Bright Angel Point

View from Roosevelt Overlook

Panoramic from Roosevelt Overlook



Angel's View Overlook (see people on top of natural rock arch)

Nice view of the Colorado River from Cape Royal

Cape Royal View

Panaromic from Point Imperial Overlook

Loved to see some Fall foliage!