After visiting Zion in 2013, we knew that we had to make a trip back to Utah to take in more of the scenery. We made Bryce Canyon National Park the next park on our list. The park has an interesting history. History of Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon is a small national park in southwestern Utah. Named after the Mormon Pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, Bryce Canyon became a national park in 1928. Bryce is famous for its worldly unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. The erosional force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have shaped the colorful limestone rock of the Claron Formation into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called "hoodoos." Tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name, these whimsically arranged rocks create a wondrous landscape of mazes, offering some of the most exciting and memorable walks and hikes imaginable. (Information from the National Park website.) Weather in Bryce Canyon National Park - Due of its high elevation (8,000-9,000 ft) climate, weather at Bryce Canyon through autumn, winter, and spring can be highly variable. Snowstorms in October are not unusual, yet there are also many sunny and pleasant autumn days during the month. From October to May temperatures fall below freezing nearly every night. The park typically experiences its coldest and snowiest periods from December through February. Spring storms in March and April can still produce heavy snowfall that may impact travel in the region. (Information from the National Park website) We visited in July, during their "monsoon season". These weather patterns made for some great rainbows over the amphitheater. One of our main goals was to see sunrise from Sunrise Point in the park. We started our first full day in the National Park with this one. After sunrise, we decided to try to beat the crowds on the most popular trails. We walked from Sunrise Point over to Sunset Point to hit the Navajo Loop before breakfast. It is a great hike to get a first taste of What Bryce Canyon has to offer. After that quick hike, Breakfast was in order! We were well fed at the lodge restaurant and ready for our next adventure for the day. The Fairyland Loop had been suggested for us as a great way to get away from the crowds and really get into the park. Boy, were they right! I hiked through my first thunderstorm (and hail) and saw some of the most beautiful scenery! We did feel like we had it all to ourselves. See that hike below. As with all National Park we visit for a few days, we never manage to see everything we want to see. Bryce Canyon is certainly one we will return to again. We hope you will plan to take a trip to Bryce and tell us about your experience. Until next time, keep of trekking!
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October 2020
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