Into the Canyon

After taking in Bryce Canyon from the canyon rim at sunrise, we ate a quick breakfast and packed up our camp.  The morning was chilly with a cold breeze, so we took our time before we embarked on a hike into the canyon for what the Park claimed was the best three mile hike in the world: Queens Garden Loop Trail to the Navajo Loop Trail.  It was indeed spectacular.

Looking down into Bryce Canyon

About to start the trek into the Canyon

Looking back up to the canyon rim from the trail

Hoodoos.  So many Hoodoos.

Check out the tunnel in the rock at the bottom (just left of center) of this picture

Braden and one of our friends from Switzerland

The crew going through another tunnel along the trail

Old west shootout

"Two Bridges": rock bridges connecting the cliffs

The crew in front of Two Bridges

Thor's Hammer

Wielding Thor's Hammer

Sunset and Sunrise in Bryce Canyon National Park

We hurried out of Zion National Park to get to Bryce Canyon National Park before dark.  We wanted to get camp set up, cook dinner, and then take the park's star gazing tour.  Because of the elevation and remoteness of the park, it is supposed to be one of the best places to see stars in North America.  Unfortunately, clouds rolled in that evening and there were no stars to be seen.  But we had plenty to deal with just getting camp set up and getting dinner ready!

Campsite at Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunset from the campsite

We got up at dawn the next morning to watch the sunrise from the rim of Bryce Canyon

Hoodoos:  Bryce Canyon is filled with strangely shaped pinnacles called hoodoos.

Looking down the canyon rim

I guess we were too late in the season to ski along the canyon rim