Bryce Canyon National Park

     This morning (10/5) we got up early and drove to Bryce Canyon National Park.  We decided to park the truck camper and take the free shuttle bus which covers the portion of the park that is visited the most.  The shuttle buses stop at the overlooks around the Bryce Amphitheater part of the canyon which are very busy/crowded and consequently difficult to find a parking place.  We took the shuttle to its furthest stop and then hiked back about 3 miles along the canyon rim.  The designated overlooks were quite busy and had protective railings.  There were fewer people walking along the Rim Trail which followed the edge of the canyon, had steep, deadly drops and no guard rails.  The panoramic views of the canyon are truly magnificent.  

Rim Trail

 

 

 

       Mark also hiked the Navajo Loop Trail which descends to the canyon floor with an elevation change of 550 feet.  This is a very steep, strenuous hike.  I thought it would be easy going down but would wear me out hiking back up, so I found a bench and people-watched instead.  

Navaho Loop Trailhead -- See the tiny people heading down into the canyon?

       We started to hike the Queen's Garden Trail which also descends into the canyon with an elevation change of 357 feet, but the wind picked up and was blowing up dust and sand, so we stopped and backtracked.  

Queen's Garden Trail

 

       We took the shuttle bus out of the park to the truck camper.  Then we drove back into the park to explore the areas not covered by the shuttle buses.  We drove to Rainbow Point which is the furthest point you can drive to in the park.  On the way back we also stopped at the Natural Bridge Overlook.  

Rainbow Point

 

Natural Bridge Overlook

       We returned to our campsite at Kodachrome Basin State Park for the night.