The Color of Twilight

Our original itinerary called for us to leave Zion National Park and head to Monument Valley. That plan was scrapped when a major windstorm was forecast to arrive in Monument Valley about the same time as we would have. In lieu of Monument Valley, we decided to head to Bryce Canyon National Park.

For reasons relating to Lewis’ unexpected bout of strep throat, our route took us through Dixie National Forest on Highway 14. This turned out to be a gorgeous drive made even more so by the beautiful light of sunset. Mom captured this image as the last bit of color appeared to illuminate this rock formation from within.

Camper In Motion

I love the sense of motion Mom captured in this image of our camper on Highway 14. She’s got the classic S-curve going through the frame matched with some cool blur. Nicely done, Mom!

Spring in Bryce Canyon

The rim of Bryce Canyon sits between 8,000 and 9,000 feet above sea level so no one should be surprised to find it snowing here at the end of March. Believe it or not, this was exactly the weather I was hoping for. I’d always wanted to experience a snow-covered Bryce.

Grey Wall of Nothing

The snow-covered Bryce Canyon I’d pictured in my mind was actually visible. When Mom took this shot there was nothing but a featureless grey expanse beyond the canyon rim.

Storm Blows Through

By the time we made it up to Sunrise Point, the snow had let up and the thin blanket of white was already melting away in many spots. Familiar vistas began to appear through the clouds.

Mom & Dad Take in the View

Living On the Edge

Composing A Shot

Fallen Tree

Walking Along the Rim Trail

Eventually Darla and Lewis joined us outside. Darla had the misfortunate of acquiring strep throat from a certain boy so neither mom nor boy were at full strength.

Mimi, The Mom, & The Boy At Sunrise Point

Don’t Fence Me In

The Boy was quite pleased to be out and about after spending a day and a half lying around in the camper. Have polka-dotted balloon; will travel!

Between Storms at Sunrise Point

The Queens Garden Trail

Dad and I decided to walk down the Queens Garden Trail while there was still light. We knew we’d have to hurry to make it back up before dark but the alternative was to get up in the morning and deal with bitterly cold temperatures. Neither of us wanted to do that.

Dad on the Trail

Winding Through the Formations

Winding Through the Formations

Snow Covered Limbs

Navajo Loop Trail

We returned to the canyon rim on the Navajo Loop Trail, which emerges at Sunset Point.

The Hardest Part

As we made our way up the switchbacks, Dad and I both agreed that it was a good thing we hadn’t waited to do this in the morning. The half-frozen red clay was already slippery. It would have been worse after freezing overnight.

The Navajo Loop Switchbacks

The Navajo Loop switchbacks are one of my favorite sections of the trail. I still remember my first time down this trail and how dramatic it was to sink deeper and deeper into the canyon as the passageway between these formations narrowed.

These switchbacks comprise the steepest part of this route. It is actually easier to hike down this way and return to the rim via the Queens Garden Trail. It is a more gradual climb out. However, I find the views coming down the Queens Garden Trail to be prettier than the ones going up.

Dad Studies Thor’s Hammer

No Stopping for Deer Photos

I’m grinning because my mom is giving me a hard time about not stopping to let her photograph some deer along the side of the road. My mom has never seen a deer that she didn’t want to photograph, no matter how small or mangy looking. Sorry, Mom.

Rainbow Point

At over 9,000 feet, Rainbow Point is the highest spot in the park. It was our first stop of the morning – and very cold!

Bryce Point

Bryce Point #2

Dixie National Forest

If Highway 14 was gorgeous, Highway 12 was a stunning, amusement park ride through narrow canyons and over mountain passes. The section between Escalante and Boulder traverses a beautiful section of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. I will definitely return to this area to spend time exploring it.

From Boulder, Highway 12 heads north into Dixie National Forest. It was here that we caught up with yesterday’s weather. After climbing to nearly 9,000 feet, we decided to pull over and have lunch.

Construction in the Trailer

Lewis was able to get in some construction work while waiting for lunch.

Almost Ready to Roll

The weather seemed to be letting up as we pulled over but that was not the case. By the time we had finished lunch it was snowing even harder.

Scenic Hwy 12

The snow had begun to accumulate on the road less than a mile from where we stopped for lunch. The farther we went, the deeper it got. I wasn’t too worried about Darla, Lewis, and me; I had switched into four-wheel drive. I was more concerned about my parents pulling their trailer. We encountered a bright red Coca-Cola tractor trailer that had lost control in 5 or 6 inches of snow and slid sideways off the road, blocking our lane and most of the other lane.

Snow in Capitol Reef

The storm caught up with us again as we entered Capitol Reef National Park. My mom took this shot as we drove past the petroglyphs.

Ordinarily, we would have never driven through Capitol Reef without stopping – particularly with this dramatic weather – but we were hoping to get to Arches National Park in time to secure a campsite for the evening.