Hiking Utah's Mighty 5 - Zion National Park 2017

This is the last stop on our tour/hike of Utah's Mighty 5, May 2017.  This time we were able to take the scenic route from Bryce Canyon along Mount Carmel highway to Zion.  The landslide from two weeks ago had been miraculously cleared. A gorgeous drive through a long mountain tunnel with views on the other side were spectacular. It was a hot day when we arrived, 99 degrees. Brunch, our favorite meal of the day was our first order of business at Me Me's Cafe. Delightful.

We headed to the visitors center to get the scoop on a short early evening hike. The Watchman trail looked good with panoramic views.  It started out good but the heat zapped my energy.  I had become accustomed to the cooler weather. This was a well traveled trail and we met a lot of people on the way down which was a nice break.  My husbands focus kept us on track.

The Watchman Trail

On Sunday morning we hit the ground running early to avoid the heat. We caught the shuttle up the mountain to Weeping Rock. It was already 8:00 am which is late for mountain top hiking. It will be 100 degrees today.  No, I won't melt but it sure felt like it.  Observation Point trail was our 8 mile goal this morning with over 2,000 ft elevation change. We huffed and puffed but made it to the top along with a few other people. So we ate while overlooking the canyon panorama that seemed to go for miles. A lot of people were taking photos, so we waited our turn before heading back down the trail. The chipmunks here almost seem domesticated as they beg for food.  Of course they shouldn't be fed in order to preserve their survival, but many seemed to ignore this.  We find people who love to travel very interesting. Most surprisingly are not wealthy, but like us they have made travel a priority, so therefore they make it work. Last summer we met a nice English couple in Wales and we have remained friends and correspond from time to time.

A slot canyon in Zion.

At Observation Point. We are actually standing near the edge of a cliff overlooking the canyon.

Today is our last day on this trip.  It has been an experience to travel and see amazing scenery and to witness what God has created and provided. There have been so many spiritual moments throughout these days and weeks. My husband has commented on it constantly with his pics and social media posts. I have found myself humming and singing "The Majesty and Glory of His Name" repeatedly. It is a reminder that we are humbled by creation and awestruck by its power to touch our hearts and minds. I pray that we never take any of this for granted.

Heading to Texas tomorrow. Home.

Hiking Utah's Mighty 5 - Bryce Canyon 2017

On June 1st, 2017 we left the mostly unknown gem Capital Reef NP and headed to Bryce Canyon. It was another scenic drive.  We didn't get out on the trails until mid-afternoon but what we observed upon arriving were multiple observation points.  I am impressed with the amount of observation areas in many national parks here in the US.  It makes these scenic areas accessible to many people to enjoy. From the main observation area the "hoodoos" just seem to jut out from the ground everywhere.  It is a sight to behold. These magnificent geological formations really bring a crowd of tourists even in the rain.

We hiked Navajo Loop Trail (which I had just hiked two weeks prior on my girls trip) and Queens Garden Trail. It was an amazing experience to be among the hoodoos.  But as the rain began to pour we headed to Bryce Canyon Lodge for a warm meal. Afterwards we hiked along the rim from Sunrise to Sunset points, then around to Inspiration Point. It was quite a climb, or maybe since it was evening by then we were just tired. So many photos, so little time.

Bryce Canyon hoodoos. A phenomenal site.

Me and the hubs just keeping it real.

So, I have this interest in trees and how they survive the environment.

I just cannot say enough about Bryce Canyon.  It is such an experience to see such a transformation in the landscape that has been here for many years. On our second day here we decided to undertake an 8 mile hike around Fairyland Canyon.  The elevation change is 1710 feet but gradual. And it was remarkable. So many hoodoos and the Tower Bridge was much nicer from a higher elevation. (I had experienced it earlier on my girls trip but not from the same vantage point.) Some of this trail trail actually narrowed to a very slender path on the rim which had extraordinary scenery.  We hiked past the Chinese wall and the Sunken Ship and more hoodoos than we could count. We were mesmerized by Fairyland Canyon.

Thor's hammer.

A canyon of hoodoos.

The rim trail.

Tower bridge.

Just another group of hoodoos under a beautiful sky. Amazing.

We actually squeezed in another hike suggested by our ranger through Swamp Creek Canyon which was a nice leisurely 4 mile hike.  Heading to Zion National Park tomorrow.

Hiking Utah's Mighty 5 - Capital Reef NP 2017

Today, May 30th, we left Moab and headed to Torrey, Utah to hike in Capital Reef National Park. As we were driving I noticed such a difference in the landscape. The rocks changed colors and the layering was completely different.  Plenty of photo opps and a nice easy drive. With perfect weather of 75 degrees and low humidity we hiked Cassidy's Arch as recommended by the ranger at the visitors center.  It was a nice evening 4 mile hike after traveling in the car.  It was considered a strenuous hike, but after the mesa in Canyonlands it was a breeze. It involved a little climbing over rocks, bowl/dome walking and some ledges to maneuver, but overall a great hike. We ended our evening at Rim Rock Restaurant with a nice mountain view.

Castle in the Sky above the visitors center.

Another amazing tree.

Cassidy's Arch

Another photo from our drive to Capital Reef. The rock layers are amazing.

View on our drive into Capital Reef NP.

Thank you Fitbit for a memory of our day.

Hiking Utah's Mighty 5 - Canyonlands 2017

While still lodging in Moab we took a day to hike Canyonlands National Park. What a difference in landscape in this park. Murphy's Overlook Point and loop trail is a 12 mile round trip hike. It began as a leisurely walk with canyon views, the Green River and La Sal mountains in the distance.  The vastness of this canyon is quite astounding as you can see for miles and miles. Next we headed to the Murphy Loop Trail. We must not have read the fine print for the trail description because this trail required a 1400 foot elevation change descending a mesa into the canyon. Going down was not only strenuous but very difficult for someone with a short stride.  Once down in the canyon it was intensely hot with no breeze at all.  We began the actual loop part of this trail but it was 7 miles in wide open sun and we actually didn't bring enough water. So after hiking a couple of miles we turned around to make the trek back up the Mesa. 

We learned a lot today.  Lowlanders such as ourselves have some difficulty hiking with quick elevation change. Lesson learned. And next time we know to begin as early as possible.

A vast canyon

Mesa

The next day we set out to enjoy another day of hiking in Canyonlands NP with vistas at a cooler temperature.  Mesa Arch was a short hike but a favorite of many photographers.  Then we went on to Aztec Butte and Granary. Climbing over the buttes required some scrambling which made me feel  like I did when I was a little girl (and a lot like a g

goat!).

Another butte!

A photographer at work.

The mesa we hiked. It does not look intimidating here.

Hiking Utah's Mighty 5 - Bluff & Arches NP

Leaving the southern rim of the Grand Canyon we headed to Four Corners which is located on a Navajo reservation but it was closed.  So we took off for Bluff, Utah. It was a beautiful drive to Bluff meandering through rolling hills with beautiful rock landscapes.  Upon arrival we knew we were in a "one house town."  But the accommodation was a lovely boutique hotel with only 10 rooms, La Posada Pintada, set in this barren landscape with the "twin rocks"  as a background.  This was a totally different landscape than where we had just hiked in the Grand Canyon. But this was only a 1 night stay before we headed to Moab, Utah.  But we had a fantastic homemade breakfast of quiche, fresh fruits, veggies, teas, juice, breads and coffee. Yum!

Twin Rocks

La Posada Pintada Boutique Hotel

Next we headed to Moab for a 4 night stay to take in Arches National Park.  All I can say is wow!  It was Memorial Day weekend so we had plenty of company.  But the sun was shining and we planned 3 days of hiking in Arches and Canyonlands.

Delicate Arch is a favorite and not an arduous hike but required a little climbing and some ledge work. But just a glimpse of this arch is worth the effort and many families with young children beat us there before 7:00 am.  I am thankful for the parks service and dedication to protect such natural beauty and the serenity of this arch.

Delicate Arch

On the hike up to Delicate Arch

Later we hiked to Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch and Double O Arch.  Each one had their own specific beauty.  Once again these hikes required some moderate climbing.  We continued our hike on Devils Garden on the primitive trail which was very strenuous with some difficult traversing of rock.  But my hubs is a great guide. This was a 10 mile hike round trip with beautiful canyon views.  Since we are in the desert there was an area at the end of the trail that required walking through sand which is exhausting at the end of a hot day.  Still worth it though.  Last hike of the day was Tower Arch then we drove to Windows Arch, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. The last three are just a short distance from the road and did not require much hiking.  All in all today was 16+ miles of hiking and 42K steps (thank you Fitbit!)

Tree lover

Double Arch

Just a few ledges to hike on the way up to Delicate Arch

Utah Girls Hiking Adventure 2017-Bryce Canyon

Leaving Zion after our white knuckle hike of Hidden Canyon Trail, but we were anxious to get to Bryce Canyon.  Our trip was planned using Mount Carmel highway, which is a scenic drive.  However, there was a landslide, so the road was closed forcing us to take the long way around to Topic where we were staying in cabins.

It was a decent drive and upon our arrival in Tropic we figured we were in a "one horse" kind of town.  Small, quaint, rural.  But hot breakfast was right across the street with a small market.  I have been dreaming about the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon for quite a while, so it was an exciting day.  We found a great restaurant, Stone Hearth Grill, for some nice healthy options for dinner.

The next morning bright and early we parked at the visitors center to get the hiking scoop and rode the shuttle up to the main observation area.  It is comforting to know that so many people, young and old have the ability to view these beautiful formations without having to hike much. It is almost mesmerizing.

We chose to take in Navajo Trail Loop and Queens Garden.  It was raining, but not pouring so it was doable.  We only have one full day here in Bryce Canyon, so we hiked Navajo Trail Loop, Queens Garden, part of Peek-a-boo.  We ate lunch on the trail hiking part of Fairyland Trail and Rim Trail. The hike back up out of the canyon was hot, hot, hot and it was a 15 mile day. So we opted for dinner at Bryce Canyon Lodge and missed our shuttle back to our car.  No worries, everyone walks here.  But walking down the main road at night was intimidating.  But we made it and headed back to Tropic.

Photos do not capture these amazing hoodoos. This area seems almost like another planet. 

You can see for miles and miles.

The three musketeers! 

Seriously, this is one of my favorite pics. Survival.

The Maddhatters reflect on a great Utah trip. The 3 Musketeers have another hiking trip in the memory bank.

Utah Girls Hiking Adventure 2017-Hidden Canyon Trail, Zion

We decided to take on Hidden Canyon Trail. It was a white knuckle, chain gripping, cliff hugging hike. A strenuous 6 miles but only because we were amateurs at chain work.  It was hard to take pics hanging on to chains, but as others walked around us on these ledges without any fear we figured we need to a least get one pic (actually 3).

Hiking up Hidden Canyon Trail with chain work.

On the way back down on a larger ledge.

Honestly, that ledge did not look that big while we were hiking.

While this was quite an experience, I hope to do it again but with more planning.  Growing up in WV I climbed rocks all the time.  But not so much ledge walking around canyons. Exhilarating to say the least.