Travel Thursday – Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is unique because of its distinct rock formations. Sedimentary rocks have been eroded over time by ice, chemicals and air, leaving behind fractured, precariously hanging on red, orange, white rocks. As you drive up to the national park, right before the ‘Welcome to Bryce’ sign you are greeted by almost doorway like rock formations on both sides.

First look

And then when you actually get to the Park, you behold miles and miles of Hoodoos (the rock formation is names thus) for almost as far as the eye can see. The colors and the transition in their shades and the layers of sediment deposits will keep you spellbound. Another interesting thing I found was that from afar it seems like there is snow on the top of the Hoodoos but in fact that is part of the rock itself.

Hoodoos

>Another formation which is seen is called the Grotto which is a similar shape carved out by nature over and over again. These door like formation in the case of Bryce covers this one complete wall of rock and is amazing to look at.

Grottos

Most people do the rim drive around Bryce, but a hike along the Hoodoo is something I would definitely recommend. The walk down to the base is short and takes no more than 10 mins and once down the walk it flat and can be done at leisure. One gets a better perspective and sees many different distinctive shapes and shades of Hoodoos when looking up at then than looking down at them.

Wall street

Plus as you walk further along you get to see much more of the national park than you would standing at the top in one place and looking down. There are pathway/trails aplenty and ever so short distance you have trails heading up and out of the hoodoos that you can walk as little and as much as you like.

Looking up

One shape that intrigued me a lot and I name it so myself.. not sure if there is an official name for it is what I called ‘The Couple’ or ‘The Bride and the Groom’. There were fascinating to me and I wish we had more time that we could take a loop around them and watch them from the other side. Would have loved to see what they looked like from a different angle.

The couple

Another thing which a must do is watch the sun set around the canyon. The setting sun’s rays on the red..orange rocks is amazing to behold and as the sun moves further and further along and the shadows elongate the shapes the Hoodoos make against the dark sky are beauty in themselves.

The sun..The moon..Dusk