Bryce Canyon is a crazy and awe inspiring place. It's not a real canyon but it is an amazing escarpment and valley full of impossibly delicate spires known as Hoodoos. Sculpted by erosion, the Hoodoos are an otherworldly sight. Walking amongst them is fun as paths twist and turn around, above, below and even underneath the hoodoos.
We started our first explorations on a cold morning at Sunset Point on the edge of the Bryce Amphitheatre (we would be back at sunset for a second look). The cold was understandable, we're getting into late October and the rim of the Amphitheatre sits at about 2,500m. After enjoying the view we descended into the depths taking a walk down the aptly named Wall Street.
Reaching the bottom of the Amphitheatre we followed Bryce Creek for a short way. The valley opened up here with some semi arid vegetation that reminded me a bit of the areas around Wilpena Pound in South Australia (without the incredible spires though).
We decided to hike the Peekaboo Loop Trail which is a five kilometre loop taking in some of the best hoodoo country. It was a really fun hike with a lot of short ups and downs and twists and turns. On the walk we passed all sorts of interesting features including the Wall of Windows, it was pretty obvious how this feature got it's name.
At the end of the loop we wearily climbed back up to Sunset Point. The altitude actually took quite a toll (at least that was our excuse). We took some more photos over the rows of hoodoos - it's interesting how they change as the light changes during the day. Then it was wearily back into the car and after a visit to the Visitors Centre we headed home for a late lunch and an afternoon rest.
In the late afternoon it was back out to the park to enjoy the evening light We drove further into the park looking at various views before returning to Sunset point for sunset. It was as pretty as promised. As with the Grand Canyon there were plenty of people (and cameras) out for the evening light show.
Reaching the bottom of the Amphitheatre we followed Bryce Creek for a short way. The valley opened up here with some semi arid vegetation that reminded me a bit of the areas around Wilpena Pound in South Australia (without the incredible spires though).
We decided to hike the Peekaboo Loop Trail which is a five kilometre loop taking in some of the best hoodoo country. It was a really fun hike with a lot of short ups and downs and twists and turns. On the walk we passed all sorts of interesting features including the Wall of Windows, it was pretty obvious how this feature got it's name.
At the end of the loop we wearily climbed back up to Sunset Point. The altitude actually took quite a toll (at least that was our excuse). We took some more photos over the rows of hoodoos - it's interesting how they change as the light changes during the day. Then it was wearily back into the car and after a visit to the Visitors Centre we headed home for a late lunch and an afternoon rest.
In the late afternoon it was back out to the park to enjoy the evening light We drove further into the park looking at various views before returning to Sunset point for sunset. It was as pretty as promised. As with the Grand Canyon there were plenty of people (and cameras) out for the evening light show.
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