We left Zion National Park and took the beautiful scenic drive up U.S. 89 highway to Bryce Canyon National Park. It was about an hour and fifteen minute drive, passing one beautiful rock formation after another. Definitely not a boring drive. As we were getting closer to Bryce Canyon, we passed Red Canyon, a fantastic oasis of red rocks nestled in Dixie National Forest. As we entered Bryce Canyon National Park, I was a little worried that we just left the gorgeous Zion to see, well, not much at that point. Bill,having visited Bryce before, advised me to wait before passing any judgments.
We drove the park highway, and I still couldn't see much to be awed by. We parked in front of Sunrise Point, and walked from the car towards the view point, I think my jaw dropped as I got a glimpse of what laid ahead. Large spirals of colorful rocks forming castles, arches, windows,fins and mazes. Too bright, I was struck with awe, too unique, like something I've never seen before or realized that such formations existed. Yes, I saw photos of the park before, I heard it was magnificent, Bill told me I'd love it, but it wasn't until my own eyes transmitted the picture to my brain, that I actually felt the enormity of what I was looking at; Bryce Canyon with all its glory, magic, mystery and peace.
Time,water, winds, erosion, deposition and sedimentation all contributed in creating the geology of Bryce Canyon we see today. The park is actually more appropriately called Bryce Amphitheater, since the main part of the park attraction is a collection of spires forming horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters. These colorful formations of Claron limestones, sandstones and mudstones are called hoodoos. One of the definitions of a hoodoo in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is "something that brings bad luck", which is interesting to me(legend in a future post). There is nothing bad that these spectacular pinnacles bring.
We took a hike in the park(which I will write about in future posts) and then went to North Campground to set up camp. We had decided to camp for the night at Bryce Canyon, which was great. Even though the hoodoos were not visible, knowing that they were there a short walk away, gave me a pleasant feeling. Unlike knowing that there were bears in the park. At some point at night, I woke up to the sound of "something" chewing outside our tent, I had a little freak out session, nudged Bill awake, who in turn unzipped the tent flap quietly and saw a deer grazing on the grass to the right of our tent. Woo, I was relieved, I thought we were goners, not that we had anything that a bear would want, but still I am never fully comfortable around bears. I always have that thought in my mind of what I would do if I ever encounter a bear in the wild. I've heard and read you are supposed to play dead to get rid of a black bear and look big to get rid of a grizzly bear, or was it the other way around? And how in the heck would I know if it is a grizzly or black bear? Hey Mr Bear, before you attack, please identify your species! Anyway, after that little incident, we had a peaceful night in the arms of nature.
Bryce Canyon National Park sits at higher than 8000 feet elevation. We had great weather during the day in September, and at night it dropped to about 45 degrees F. We had a wonderful day at Bryce Canyon, unfortunately a short time, but it was enough to appreciate the magic of Bryce and plan a future visit.
Comments (6)
Hi Candi, your photos are incredible. Bryce canyon looks amazing and its so cool that you were able to see it in person. I think I would be amazed at such a sight too.
And btw, I don't blame you for having a bear freak out session.
Thanks so much for sharing your photos and experiences here. I look forward to your next post.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | November 4, 2009 5:57 AM
Posted on November 4, 2009 05:57
Beautiful photos (and funny story about the bears!). They are one of my favorite animals but I wouldn't want to encounter one by surprise!
Posted by Annie | November 5, 2009 12:31 PM
Posted on November 5, 2009 12:31
Beautiful pictures of Bryce. It is one of my favorite National Parks. I loved hiking down in the Hoodoos. I'm not crazy about bears either. I'm glad it was just a deer.
If you ever get to Southern Arizona - I recommend visiting Chiricahua National Monument. There are also interesting hoo doos and a great hike.
Posted by Marta | November 7, 2009 10:49 AM
Posted on November 7, 2009 10:49
Amazing photos! So which would you recommend going to if only spending time at one - Zion or Bryce Canyon?
I am glad it was just a deer. I would have been freaked also, even more so after reading the story about Timothy Treadwell (bear lover) and his girlfriend being mauled and eaten by a grizzly in Alaska. You might want to skip that story if you plan on more time camping in bear country.
I did see a bear once when hiking in Colorado. Thankfully, it was from a distance.
Posted by girasoli | November 7, 2009 11:13 PM
Posted on November 7, 2009 23:13
girasoli,
I read the story, and try not not to think about when I am in bear country.
It would be a very tough decision choosing between Zion and Bryce, they are both spectacular in their own ways. Both offer many hiking trails and backcountry hikes. They are both really unique. I would go back to both in a heart beat. I don't think you'd wrong with either one. One thing though, Bryce is cooler(weather wise) than Zion since it is at a higher elevation.
Posted by candi | November 8, 2009 8:19 AM
Posted on November 8, 2009 08:19
Your hoodoos are fabulous -- I've seen some wonderful ones in Turkey, but these are gorgeous.
I laughed at your bear story -- I also have a very healthy respect for bears! When I was a child, my family always went camping in the Rockies and there were often bears around. They never bothered us, but my parents were really really strict about no food in the tent, just to be safe!
Posted by sandrac | November 10, 2009 7:41 PM
Posted on November 10, 2009 19:41