Capitol Reef National Park

Today I spent the day exploring Capitol Reef.  Granted, it's an odd name for a national park and is so-named for the obvious reasons (there's a formation that looks like the capitol and some other formations resemble a reef).  The park itself was impressive and different than any of the other parks I've visited, and it was a great day filled with fun hikes; first to Cassidy Arch (named after Butch Cassidy who hung out around here when he was hiding out) and the second to the Grand Wash, a slot canyon with narrows.  The day was finished off by an encounter with some bighorn sheep and a visit to some petroglyphs.  Wow!  Photos below.

Sunrise from My Hotel Room

Chimney Rock

 

The Castle

 

1.5 Miles Up, 1.5 Miles Down and 1,000 Ft. Gain in Elevation,
parts of it over slick rock - Hard!

View Along the Hike

View Along the Hike

Cassidy Arch - That's Me on the Arch!  Yay!

 

This Photo and the One Below are from Grand Wash

Big Horn Sheep!

Petroglyphs - Native Origin Unknown

Sandpipes and Scenic Highways

Kodachrome Basin State Park was so named by National Geographic photographers in 1949, around the same time as the film was first used.  The sedimentary spires (sandpipes) exist only in this small area and no one is sure of their origin and they are different than the hoodoos in Bryce in their creation.  Theories are that they were geysers that were filled in with sandstone or that they were caused by tectonic activity, but no one is sure.  The other amazing thing is that there was no one else in the park!  Unbelievable! 
The drive from there to Capitol Reef was beautiful and changed constantly, from expansive views of rock formations to forests of pine trees and birch trees changing color.  The summit was a head-spinning 9,600 feet. 





I Don't Know What This Is??

Petroglyphs in the Park

A Slot Canyon Near Boulder (Utah)

Hoodoo Voodoo - Bryce Canyon

Words cannot begin to describe these bizarre formations.  They boggle the mind and the first glimpse into Bryce Canyon literally makes your jaw drop.  Each one is huge, some stretching over 50 feet straight up.  They are a combination of limestone, dolomite, mudstone and siltstone and have formed from water, ice and gravity.  They change shape and size constantly due to weather conditions.  Today I hiked among them.  The hike is called the Queen's Garden Navajo Loop hike in Bryce and many consider it to be one of the most beautiful three mile hikes in existence.  I would have to agree.



                        Note the People for Size Comparison                        

More Zion, Not the Grand Canyon and Some Really Pretty Rocks

I am writing this from a town called Cannonville, a very small place about 8 miles from Bryce Canyon. It is located on what has been called the most beautiful highway in the U.S. by many - and it is exceptional.  It's difficult to drive without your jaw dropping from another amazing scene around every corner.  Cannonville does not have a restaurant, but the hotel told me that at 5:00 a BBQ truck (I.D.K. Bar-B-Q))  would set up in the parking lot.  A woman named Emily and her husband run it and it is REAL good barbecue!  After a long drive from a disappointing visit to the Grand Canyon's North Rim (snow, then fog and only glimpses of the canyon), a comfy room and some delicious pulled pork put everything right.  The photos of these places do not do them justice.  The expansiveness of the views are just not able to be captured.  Utah - I'm impressed!

Walter's Wiggles from Above

View from Scout's Lookout



Near the Temple of Sinawava

View from Canyon Overlook Hike

Checkerboard Mesa

 



Mule Deer in Zion



Zion Chipmunk

Trees at Grand Canyon North Rim
(Note the fog rising from the canyon)

Red Canyon

Death Valley to Zion With a Raindrop Here and There

There have been some very interesting things crossing my path as I drive through the Southwest.  From little chipmunk creatures who scurry VERY quickly across the road to a roadrunner to a fox who ran across highway 15 today.  As I left Las Vegas (thank goodness), a formation of five military jets flew in formation over the highway bidding me farewell.  It seemed like a fitting end to that crazy place!  Happy to get to Zion in time to hike to Emerald Pools and walk around the tiny town of Springdale.  Here's some photos from the last few days.
For anyone not familiar with the Amargosa Hotel and Opera House, it is located in Death Valley Junction and was bought in the 1960's by dancer Marta Beckett.  She performed there and painted the opera house, the rooms and the hallways with her amazing art.  She still lives there and is 91.  The place was originally home, hospital and town for a borax mining company and its employees.  It is said to be very haunted.

Death Valley

 

The Stage at the Opera House

Painting in Room 9 - the Most Haunted Room

 

Vegas