Red Canyon

May 10, 2015

Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Utah.

Although we're located between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, we decided to start our Utah adventures by exploring Red Canyon.  It’s part of Dixie National Forest and is 10 miles from our campground.  What a way to kick off!  We hiked on Pink Ledges, Hoodoo, Birdseye and Photo Trails.  They’re about 3 miles round-trip through sagebrush, juniper and pinyon trees.

A River Runs Through It

Hatch, Utah.

We are now based between Bryce and Zion National Parks.  Our campground is nestled in Paunsagunt Plateau and Sevier River runs through it.  We would’ve wanted to stay by the water but full hookups aren’t available in the area.  Nevertheless, the whole pack’s content with the idyllic setting.  Brontë can fetch ball in the meadow and can get all muddied in the river retrieving long tree branches she thinks she can bring into the house (ha!).  

We’ve been exposed to various weather conditions – cold nights and early mornings, snow, hail, thunderstorms, strong winds and harsh Southern Utah sun.  But we LOVE it here!  We’re definitely coming back.

Grand Canyon – Rim Trail Part 2

May 4, 2015

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

  

We wanted to explore the Rim Trail some more so we took the shuttle bus from our campground and then got off at Hermits Rest Route Transfer.  From there, we walked 3 miles until Mohave Point and then took the shuttle to go home.  Again, the magnificent vistas didn’t disappoint. 

Meanwhile, here are the Grand Canyon critters I was able to photograph.

Desert View Watchtower

May 4, 2015

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

After doing the Bright Angel Trail in the morning, we visited the Desert View Watchtower in the afternoon as we wanted to take advantage of the glorious weather.  It’s located 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village.

Bright Angel Trail – 1½-Mile Resthouse

May 4, 2014

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

On our second day at GCNP, adventures beckoned.  We were going to (partially) hike down the mule trail that goes to the bottom of the canyon.  (May the force be with us!)  We took the shuttle bus from our campground and got off at Hermits Rest Route Transfer where the Bright Angel Trailhead is located.  We couldn’t take Brontë with us because she’s not allowed below the rim and on shuttle buses.  

As expected, going down was easy peasy.  Along the way, we met a few people equipped with their bulky backpacks and walking sticks who stayed overnight at the bottom of the canyon.  We spoke with them about their experiences and although the hike up was daunting, I felt their sense of fulfillment.  The green-eyed monster stalked me and then an idea started percolating.  I asked Pete, “What if we came back to Grand Canyon next year and went down the canyon to celebrate your 65^th birthday?” We’d need to be physically fit.  We’d need to buy proper hiking gear.  We were excited about the prospect.

We reached the 1½-Mile Resthouse in an hour.  We feasted on our fruits and trail mix and relaxed for 10 minutes.  Then, we ascended.  “Forget about the trek,” I told Pete.  Let’s just do the mule ride down the canyon.

iPhone Panoramas