Bryce Canyon National Park

We've spent the last 2 days in Bryce Canyon National Park, completing 13 miles of hikes and over 4,000 feet of vertical elevation change.  The campsites have been in close quarters, but the amenities are great.  $6 washed a load of laundry and got us each an 8 minute shower.  There is even a dish washing station at the bathroom facilities so our pots look clean again.  The first day we did an 8 mile hike in Fairyland Canyon, followed by a great hobo dinner.  We fell asleep attempting but failing to counteract the sub-30 degree night temperatures.  Tonight I will be wearing long underwear, shorts, pants, a hoodie, and a hat.  On the bright side it's only 80 during the day.  Bryce Canyon is also known for its night skies, but we've picked the full moon to camp here, which is so bright you don't even need a flashlight at night.  As I look around all I see are shadows so I may ditch Treece and try some moonlight shots of the canyon soon.  Below are some photos from our first hike.

Treece did me a favor.

Bryce Canyon and "Sinking Ship" in the background.

White Sand Hoodoos

Fairyland Canyon hike.  Harder than it sounds.

A seemingly never-ending desert of colors.

No flash, no extended exposure.  The moon is in the trees.  Not good for sleeping.

The second day (today) we did another 6.5 mile hike in Bryce Canyon to see some of the more popular features.  The hike did not disappoint.  Even though we have been looking at geologic features (Treece says rocks) for 10 days, Bryce Canyon is definitely unique in comparison.  Here the colors vary from white to pink and the stone is so soft you can grab fist-fulls of hoodoos (the tall, skinny rocks) with your hands.  We completed Navajo Loop, Queen's Garden, and Peekaboo Loop.  Peekaboo is probably the hilliest 3 mile loop either of us have ever hiked. 

More hoodoos

"Wall Street."  Switchbacks for tourists.

Several trees grow from the bottom of "Wall Street" in a microclimate within the canyon.

Natural Arch

The trail contained a few of these tunnels in the rock.

"Natural Bridge" despite the fact it's an arch by definition.

An overview of our hike at the end.  The trails are visible in the background.