We entered the park before 7 AM; it was just starting to get light. By the time we reached the Canyon Overlook Trail it was light. The trail, rated moderate, took us to an outlook over looking Pine Creek Canyon and Lower Zion Canyon. We returned to the car and drove to Bryce Canyon, about 2 hours away.
Bryce Canyon is Hoodoo heaven. The Rim trail circles what is referred to as the amphitheatre, but a theatre populated by sandstone obelisques in varying shapes an sizes.
As we arrived at Bryce the clouds began to roll in and later it began to rain. The weather limited us to the Rim trail and a bus tour to Rainbow Point.
And so we returned to our hotel in Springdale. To get to Springdale one has to drive through Zion Park along route 9. The total distance is about 12 miles. It took an hour to travel those 12 miles. Around every corner there was a “picture” and out I got and took it. One could spend a month just driving along route 9, sopping at each lookout and taking shots.
About mid-way there is a long tunnel, just over 1 mile. It is a dividing line in the landscape. On the west side, rugged mountains dominate. On the east side sandstone hills with strata peppered with ponderosa pine.
East-side of Zion Park along Route 9
West-side of Zion Park along Route 9
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