Bryce Canyon - Magnificent!

23 October 2011

Another 'bucket list' park checked off...and we just started this trip 7 days and several hundred miles ago.

Entrance to Red Canyon

Yesterday we drove to Bryce Canyon from Ely, NV - down US 89 and US 63, through Red Canyon (gorgeous drive) and into the park. We were able to secure a campsite in the North Campground -on a first -come, first -serve basis and then off to the Visitor Center

Bryce Canyon Visitor Center & Museum

…where we learned about the evening Ranger Program about the "Unseen Universe" - Night Sky. After the presentation we got to trek out to the dark, very dark parking lot where 3 telescopes were set up for viewing. We were able to see Jupiter and it's 3 moons (tres cool), Milky Way, a Star Custer that is suppose to merge with the MW, and Andromeda…. This all before 9:30pm. A long and exhausting day.

We hiked, what the NPS refers to as, "World's Best 3-mile hike"  today  - starting at Sunset Point...which loops through Bryce Amphitheater.

I am not even sure I can accurately describe the beauty of this park. It is, without a doubt, breathtakingly beautiful!  There are several 'moderate' hikes  to choose from….we combined Queens Garden and Navajo Loop which also has a 580' elevation change. But @8000' does that really make a difference?... especially since we had to climb back out…gorgeous, simply gorgeous.

Enjoy the photos of our day... and the short video of Bryce Amphitheater...bet it makes you want to visit.

~Peace