Visiting Zion & Bryce Canyons

Sept 27 Zion Canyon

Spent the day Zion Canyon which was first settled by the Mormans pioneers. The name means “refuge and sanctuary”.  The Virgin River runs through the canyon where the water flows through cliffs and towers of red rock. It is situated in the Colorado Plateau where rain then worked through minute cracks loosening the grains and widening the fractures – until today when the canyon exists.

Entrance to the canyon is via shuttle bus only. We drove to the visitor’s centre to catch the shuttle. We joined a ranger walk along the Virgin River at Zion Lodge and walked along the river trail to The Grotto. We were then on and off the shuttle bus as we visited the major sites. Did most of the walk to Temple of Sinawava (Marg M did the lot) then Marg M and I climbed up to Weeping Rock, an area where water seeps down through the rock and keeps the rocks moist.  On the way back, we visited the “Court of the Patriarchs” – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Many of the peaks had biblical names – Altar of Sacrifice; The East Temple; The West Temple. The Sentinel stands watch over the canyon.

Returned to Springdale for lunch and then a piece of “Bumbleberry Pie”. We asked “What does a bumbleberry look like and the guy pointed to a sign that he had up on the way. They grow on a giggle bush. At first we did not twig and then we realized that it was a stunt but was the pie good!!!! So was the bumbleberry ice cream that we had with it.

At 3PM we left the canyon via the Zion-Mt Carmel Highway which passes through a 1.1 mile tunnel built in the nineteen twenties, then we rejoined Highway 89 to arrive in Bryce Canyon about 5.30PM. We are staying in Ruby’s Inn, an historic Inn. One of the first people we say were Hervey and April, whom we had met the night before.

Sept 28 – Bryce Canyon

The major feature of Bryce Canyon, which despite its name is not a canyon, but a collection of giant amphitheatres along the eastern rim of Paunsaugunt Plateau, are the geological structures called “hoodoos”. The hoodoos are formed by frost, weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks.  The red (more iron in the soils) orange, and white colours of the rocks provide spectacular views.

I was not disappointed. I could not get over the number of the hoodoos. We drove out to the furtherest point – Rainbow and Yovimpa Points, then slowly made our way back, stopping at all the major features. I think Bryce and Inspiration Points were my favourites but Sunset was good too. We walked a bit of the way down the canyon at Sunset – should have heard the huffing and puffing when we tried to come back up.

Saw a herd of Pronghorn deer on our way out. Then on the way back we stopped to watch another herd of Pornghorns grazing. This herd had a buck with them. We also stopped to watch a small number of Mule deer grazing. They then decided to cross the busy road. Bit Hairy!!

Didn’t get back until after 2PM so this afternoon is a relax before we head out to “Ebenezer’s” for Cowboy cuisine (a 14 oz steak, with potatoes, beans, coleslaw) and live western entertainment. We are all gasping at the thought of a 14 oz steak!!!