Pa’rus Trail

May 19, 2015

Pa’rus Trail.  Zion National Park, Utah.

Pa’rus Trail is an easy 3.5 mile-hike (round trip) from the Visitor’s Center to Canyon Junction that offers stunning vistas. It’s the only trail in Zion National Park where dogs are allowed.  Yay for the whole pack!

Hoodoo You Love?

May 17, 2015

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.

I’ve never seen anything quite like it in my travels here in the US and abroad.  The vast amphitheater of weird-shaped rock pillars and geologic formations mesmerized the (fairly) seasoned traveller in me.  “Hoodoo do you love?” they asked in their sweet, enchanting voices.  “You, I love all of you,” I replied.

Pete and I hiked the 3-mile Queens Garden/Navajo Combination Loop, heeding the Bryce Canyon National Park Hiking Guide’s recommendation of clockwise direction.  I’m not sure though if it made any difference.  Either way, I would’ve have been out of breath climbing up.  

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.

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.

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