GSA 2019 - Lake Powell, Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

Well, it's time to officially kick off the Great Summer Adventure (GSA) of 2019. After leaving Red Bay, (there for a week-the shortest amount of time we've ever been there) we started heading west towards UT. We did the 26 hour trip in 5 days, dry camping several places along the way. On the way there, we stopped at Four Corners National Monument, the only place in the U.S. where 4 states - CO, AZ, NM, and UT - meet in one place, and took the obligatory picture of me having various body parts in 4 different states at one time. From there we headed to Page, AZ, home of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. Since we were only there for 2 days, several of the tours we wanted to take were booked. We decided to spurge on a helicopter tour of the dam, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Tower Butte. The helicopter landed on top of the 1000 ft. high tower butte-the only way to get there since climbing is not allowed on Navajo Indian Reservation land. There is no substituting a helicopter ride for being up close and personal to scenery! We lucked out with being the only passengers (helicopter can hold up to 6) - being able to ride up front where we had the best views from the windows.

Great Aerial View from the helicopter of the Colorado River

Four Corners National Monument with Me in 4 states at one time!

Our pilot, Angela, and us outside the helicopter

Glen Canyon Dam 

Tower Butte (before we landed) 

On top of Tower Butte 

Horseshoe Bend from the air 

From Page it was a short trip to Hurricane, UT (pronounced hur-i-cun) to Willow Wind RV Park. We often make reservations for parks sight unseen, so it is always good to arrive at a place and find a nice, clean park that is up to date and well taken care of.  After 5 days of being on the road we were ready to set up camp and not have to move for a month. This would be our base for exploring Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon (North Rim) National Parks. Hurricane is a short 25 minute drive from St. George, UT. 

Years ago I had been to Zion & Bryce National Parks with my friend Denise. I had remembered both as beautiful, but I liked Zion better because it had more greenery. This time I think I have reversed my opinion! (Although it is hard to compare national parks when they are all unique and stunning in their own ways.) During the summer season, you can only view Zion by going on a (free) shuttle bus through the park. There are several stops where you can get off and take hikes. One of things that I had remembered the most from my previous trip was "the Narrows", where you walk between canyon walls. This time it was closed due to spring snow melt/run off - which can lead to flash floods. I was disappointed that Andy could not see that part of the park. 

Checkerboard Mesa, Zion National Park

Zion

More Rock Formations, Zion

A beautiful clear day to view all of this! 

Zion

Lots of contrast between the trees and rocks 

We came into Zion from the east entrance (no shuttle on that road), where most of these pictures were taken. At Canyon Junction we parked and then boarded the shuttle. We did stop and take the hike at the Lower Emerald Pool Trail (one of the easier ones!). 

Bryce is stunning, to say the least. Zion & Bryce Canyon parks are only 72 miles apart, but completely different in how they look. Bryce is famous for its "hoodoos". Hoodoos come from erosion out of cliffs where rows of narrow walls form. Frost-wedging (water seeping into rocks, freezing and thawing causing cracks in the rocks) occurs, creating holes or windows. As the windows grow, the tops eventually collapse, leaving a column. Rain further dissolves these pillars into the spires we call hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park is constantly evolving with the forces of weathering and erosion.

Bryce also runs a shuttle, but it is optional. We were able to drive the the scenic route through the park, and didn't have any trouble finding parking at each of the stops. 

Rock Formations at Bryce

Close up of Hoodoos 

Bryce

Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon 

There are trees at Bryce (contrary to my memory!)

Still snow in the higher elevations on May 11

Can you see the holes in the rock walls?

More hoodoos

As always, we are in awe of the beauty and diversity of our national parks. We can't say enough about how lucky we are to be able to view these parks, and have them at our disposal in our country. We are amazed that when we are at a national park, we hear a lot of foreign languages - German, French, Japanese, and others we don't recognize. 

Grand Canyon (North Rim) comes up next, so that will wait for the next installment of our GSA.