Utah Hiking and Waiting

We hurried down to Utah so we could get some great hiking in right away, but as soon as we arrived, we quickly were greeted by stormy weather... some intermittent, but pretty much rain everyday.

So far, we've fit in one overnight hike in Bryce Canyon National Park and a day hike there plus one more day hike in Escalante National Monument. Bryce Canyon is full of stunning views that are accessible by driving with just short walks, so we saw a lot of that as well.

We came out of the forest up to the rim of the canyon where I took this photo after spending the night in a meadow

Logan on the overnight Bryce Canyon Trail - It was surprising to see so many trees at this elevation - 8000-9000 ft

These formations are called hoodoos and are not found in other canyons.  They are formed from the continual frost/thaw.

Check out this tiny spire! Nature is pretty amazing...

Descending into a narrow canyon on switchbacks. Busy trail!

A natural arch formed by frost heave and erosion

Just my size natural archway

The landscape reminds us how small we are.

We came to Escalante National Monument and managed a nice 6 mile day hike to a waterfall with really fantastic views.

The vertical lines on the rock are called Desert Varnish.  Scientists aren't sure how they form exactly, but they contain
manganese and iron to create the various colors.  It's like seeing paintings and sculptures everywhere out here.

Notice the hiker at the bottom of the photo - what an awesome landscape!

Lower Calf Creek Falls at the end of our day hike near Escalante (ignore my finger!)

We also have done quite a bit of driving.  Highway 12 that goes between Bryce and Escalante and then on to Boulder is one of the most beautiful scenic highways in the world! The views are truly spectacular - above, through, and adjacent to colorful and unusual canyons.

Just one view from Scenic Highway 12 in Utah

Due to flash flooding dangers, washed out dirt roads (that lead to trailheads), and potential lightening storms, we are currently in a little bit of a waiting period.  Who thought we'd come to the desert and be met with over a week of rain?