Day 10: Bryce Canyon

Beautifully strange, Bryce Canyon was our next stop on our trek. We heard that Bryce was more "all down" as you make your way into the canyon trails, while Zion was "all up." We passed through Dixie National Forest and did some hiking on some of the rock formations that was similar to the ones we will see in the Arches National Park.


Before we arrived, we stopped at this amazing little restaurant called Bryce Canyon Restaurant (Okay, so the name isn't awe-inspiring) but man can they make a burger! Eric devoured this 1/2 pound Rodeo Burger, stacked with ham, bacon, LTO. Meredith and I daintily split a turkey melt with homemade rhubarb jam - holy heaven was that good. It was a fantastic lunch and ultimately made perfect with the homemade dynamite banana blueberry cream pie and coffee to boot! Nom nom.

Waterfall Crossing

We pulled into Bryce a little after 2pm and decided to set up camp in the North Campgrounds. Our site was nestled deep in the wooded part of the park, surrounded by pines that left a perfect opening above our tent to watch the stars--which we found out host some of the best stargazing in the world. That's a fact.

Mossy Cave Trail

After our tent was set we went for a hike at the Mossy Cave. This was a shorter hike and allowed us to go off trail to climb the unique rock formations. The colors were vibrant shades of yellow, orange and pink. This contrasted with the bright blue sky unlike anything we had seen before.  Along the climb up was a frothy stream that rushed past us as we crept up its embankments.  In the rock beneath the water was this gorgeous mahogany color that hid under the water flow of desert water. Near the top of the trail, a teal waterfall divided two small canyons. Our destination was just further ahead of the waterfall's beginning and into the unique rock formations.  So as we neared the top, there was a path that went around the stream.  But there was also a giant log that fell across the top of the waterfall.  Of course, we chose the more "dangerous" path across that log.  A little fearful that we may fall into the waterfall we took it easy while crossing the log and then proceeded up the ridge towards the hoodoos. We all had a great time climbing and witnessing such a beautiful creation of nature.

Fairyland Trails was the next stop in our exploration of Bryce Canyon, although the name threw us initially, it was a great hike and allowed for more climbing and bouldering among rocks that seemed to reminisce city ruins. As we approached the first overlook, we could see hundreds of these odd hoodoos that towered into the sky.  Some looked like they were taken straight from a Dr. Seuss book.  Down below were shallow canyons and crevices that separated each hoodoo and we started walking the path before becoming to anxious to climb one of these magical towers of rock.  So we trudged down off the beaten trail and towards the city of rock towers.  The girls had become expert climbers by this point and walking down a narrow ridge was a piece of cake.  Eric began jumping and climbing the rocks as soon as he could.  The rock itself was so brittle that it peeled off with some force.  It was a different feeling to see the hoodoos from the bottom rather than from a distant view.  They were a lot taller and more detailed with abrasive rock that littered the ground and into the shallow canyons.  After we got our feel for the hoodoos we climbed back up and continued down the trail.  All three of us were mesmerized by the sights far away.  In the distance, we could see tops of mountains coated with snow, and other ridges that blanketed the earth far as the eye could see.  These sights were just more of our experience that encompassed the whole road trip.  It was so peaceful at Bryce Canyon.  Not only were we bewildered at the rock formations that we thought only existed in Dr. Seuss novels, but the serenity that came with it was so uplifting.

So the three of us made our way back up the trail and drove back to our camp site.  That night, we could actually stay conscience long enough to see the stars.  After Eric lit the fire(that Carolyn couldn't ;), we are ate dinner composed of tuna packets and grilled cheese.  The stars slowly emerged from the daylight and into the night sky.  We all sat back and became immersed in the nothingness that existed in the sky.  What a great way to finish a day filled with so much adventure.

Fairyland Trails