Colorado/Utah-Chapter 5-July 18 Bryce Canyon NP

I believe that Bryce Canyon NP was the prettiest park we visited if you judge based on the colors of the geological structures that were referred to as Hoodoos.  It was a beautiful day as we started out but when we reached the park we were told to expect thunder storms in the afternoon. However the blue sky with ominous clouds rolling in seemed to be the perfect back drop for the luscious hues of red, yellow and orange sandstone.  I will let my photos show the beauty but you should know that these photos do not capture the beauty that we witnessed on this day.  God certainly out did himself when he created Bryce Canyon!

Our trail today started with a section of the Navajo Loop Trail that led us down Wall Street before we joined the Queens Garden Trail that took us back up to the Rim Trail that led to the parking lot. An approximate 3 mile hike among some of the most beautiful features in the park.  Going down was fairly easy but hard on the knees but coming back up out of the canyon was breathtaking, and I don't mean that in a good way.  The altitude and heat as we came up from the canyon floor made breathing almost impossible.  It was, however, one of my favorite hikes of the trip.  Lots of great birds to make it all worthwhile!

Half of the Navajo Loop Trail

This part is called Wall Street

Looking up from the bottom of the canyon

Cliff Swallow nests

A Golden-mantled ground squirrel

We chose the Queens Garden Trail

A Steller's Jay

Another timed photo, notice the lens cap cover in the foreground

Sharon doing her best to keep the tunnel open!

Whenever I got tired and couldn't breathe, I would stop to snap a photo.  And I wondered why I had taken 750 pictures!?

A beautiful Western Bluebird was posing for me at the top.

On our way to our next stop we spied a female pronghorn with these two cute fawns in tow.

Our next stops included Rainbow point, Natural Bridge and Inspiration Point.  The views were.......very inspirational!

These little Uinta Squirrels were Barbara Jean's favorites, They were little and cute and a little too friendly.

Not sure what this Raven was squawking about but he sure was noisy. Maybe the threat of thunder storms!

Rainbow Point.  No rainbows yet but there was a storm in the distance.

Upper Inspiration Point

After Bryce Canyon we had to drive through Zion National Park to our lodging.  Tomorrow we will lace up the hiking boots and head down a new trail!  Happy trails to us and you.