3 In Arizona/ Hiking + The Outdoors/ Travel/ Utah

Southwest Mini-Trip

My dad and I drove out to the southwest a couple of springs ago to go to three national parks: The Grand Canyon, Zion NP and Bryce Canyon NP.  We dove to Flagstaff and dropped our bags off at our room and then drove to Sedona.  That is one of the most beautiful drives, even if you can’t hike, you need to get out there and drive around those massive and stunning red rocks!  We got out and hiked around the river and such and of course stopped at every amazing overlook while driving.  It is a must see!

The San Francisco Mountains from Flagstaff

The San Francisco Mountains from Flagstaff

Sedona

Sedona

Sedona

Sedona

We got up and drove to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon the next day and it was so spectacular.  I had been once before as a kid in the summer time and I remembered being completely amazed by it, but wow.  It was even cooler then I remembered!  Plus, being there in march was even more spectacular!  We saw some elk and did some roaming around the top of the canyon.  I think the most amazing thing about it was when we actually watched this giant snow storm roll in!  It was like a mini blizzard.  We drove to the lodge through the snow and sat in there drinking hot chocolate while waiting the storm out.  It was so beautiful watching it pass over.  After the storm we walked around a little more and then made our way to Utah, stopping outside of the Grand Canyon at the Little Colorado River Gorge- it’s free, stop and take a look… It’s so pretty!

The Grand Canyon Watchtower- Notice that blue sky...

The Grand Canyon Watchtower- Notice that blue sky…

Spring Break 129

Yucca Plants

Yucca Plants

Driving through the snow storm

Driving through the snow storm

The Little Colorado River Gorge

The Little Colorado River Gorge

We drove through Zion, and then down to Hurricane, Utah.  The next morning we got up and spent the day in Zion.  We did a few little trails, the Emerald Pools Trail and Angel’s Landing.  Angel’s Landing is probably the highest thing I’ve ever climbed, and it is without a doubt the most beautiful view I’ve ever had from something I climbed.  Wow.  You can pretty much the entire park.  We had been to Zion on a previous trip and my dad and brother climbed Angel’s Landing and it was VERY busy and VERY hot.  March was the perfect time, though.  We started the climb at about 10 a.m. and by the time we were making our way back down it was starting to get a little busier, but still nothing compared to summer time!  The next morning we woke up at 4:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise in the park, but unfortunately it wasn’t all that pretty because you’re surrounded by mountains.  I wish we would have climbed something or taken one of the trails get a better view.  Morning was good for viewing some mule deer, however.  They were out eating some of the new grass.  We hiked down the Virgin River a little ways to the start of the Narrows Trail (I want to do this trail sometime VERY soon).  Then we left and made our way to Bryce Canyon.

The Checkerboard in Zion NP

The Checkerboard in Zion NP

Clouds Rolling in in Zion NP

Clouds Rolling in in Zion NP

Emerald Pools Trail

Emerald Pools Trail

My dad at one of the waterfalls on the Emerald Pools Trail

My dad at one of the waterfalls on the Emerald Pools Trail

Going Up to Angel's Landing- Pre Walter's Wiggles

Going Up to Angel’s Landing- Pre Walter’s Wiggles

On the Way Up

On the Way Up

Coming Back Down

Coming Back Down

Bryce Canyon NP was so awesome!  When the sun hits those massive rock formations the shadows and colors in the stone mesmerize you.  These formations are called hoodoos, which is actually another name for voodoo, and with all of these crazy twisting figures raising up towards the sky, you can very easily see where they got the name.  When we were there the trails and drives pretty much buried under almost 6 feet of snow.  There were some sections cleared and we went to all of them, and fell in love.  We can’t wait to go back!

Bryce Canyon Hoodoos!

Bryce Canyon Hoodoos!

Natural Bridge in Bryce Canyon NP

Natural Bridge in Bryce Canyon NP

On the way back home we stopped in Page, Arizona and ate lunch overlooking Lake Powell.  It’s such a beautiful lake and there are tons of awesome hiking, boating, climbing opportunities around that area that I want to explore.

Lake Powell in Page, AZ

Lake Powell in Page, AZ

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3 Comments

  • Reply
    lovethybike
    February 8, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    I love this part of the world!

  • Reply
    Little Fingers
    November 1, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Yet another beautiful parks, no wonder I love visiting utah again and again. Zion and Bryce look so different in Spring, I liked the checkerboard with snow on it. I couldn’t do Angels landing as it wasn’t recommended with young kids, I badly wanted to do that. I visited in Fall. I have written here.
    http://weourlife.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/travel-thursdays-%E2%80%93-utah-part3%E2%80%93-bryce-canyon-national-park/
    http://weourlife.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/travel-thursdays-utah-part5-zion-national-park1/
    http://weourlife.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/travel-thursdays-utah-part6-zion-national-park2/

    • Reply
      ashleypaige4
      November 2, 2012 at 9:43 am

      Utah is one of my top 3 favorite states I’ve visited so far. I love it there! I’ve been to Zion twice, before this I went in the summer, and it was great weather, but so crowded. The snow was so pretty against the red rocks at Bryce. They’re amazing parks. I would love to go back in the Fall sometime- your photos are amazing! The next time I go, I want to do the Narrows Trail!

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