Having seen the crowds outside of Bryce, we knew that it would be a day spent with more people than we had been doing. I had also heard that shuttle buses were used as parking lots filled by 10am. So we got an early start. Thankfully, we had no problem finding a parking spot and the temps were so cool we had to wear jackets again.
Our first trail was Queens Garden to Navajo Loop starting at Sunset Point and going through Sunrise Point. Bryce is an amazing and other wordly landscape of bright red and orange hoodoos that extend up through the canyon. It was one of my favorite views. I had read about the quick elevation both down and back up on this trail and chose the way that would be a little more gradual, although we definitely had a work out. The trail started with short switch backs down Wall Street, straight into the canyon. It was definitely a cool walk down into a canyon and we were rewarded with the sight of a large pine tree at the bottom, growing straight to the top.
We followed the trail through the canyon, seeing horses on the horse trail and squirrels/chipmunks that Paige tried to corral. The assent back up was rigorous and we were huffing and puffing by the time we were done.
Next we followed the rim trail to various points on the way to include back to Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and then Bryce Point. This was also a good hike with some elevation and heights. I had to keep my vertigo in check along the way, but the girls were so encouraging and helpful.
Back at Bryce Point, we caught the shuttle back to our car and ran right into the Powells who had just arrived! With crowds building, we decided to picnic back in the little town we ate at the night before and then make our way to Zion. Even though the hiking distance wise was shorter this day, we were all pretty beat from the elevation.
The drive to Zion was pretty amazing. You come in right through the canyons that are massive. Part of the drive includes one of the longest underground tunnels which seemed to go on forever. They have to close this to two way traffic to allow campers to go through. We stopped for some photos along the way because it was just so incredible to see.
We made it to our hotel in Zion and then got the kids swimming in the beautiful pool out back. Again we noticed even more crowds (which we had expected) so we decided to grab an early dinner at a Mexican restaurant down the street. The food was good although part way through me meal I leaned over and got my shirt in the red enchilada sauce and knew it was a goner. Oops!
I had to scramble a bit with the plans at Zion. Due to a dangerous algae bloom in the Narrows and all the crowds, we really needed to do something off the main scenic drive. So I spent most of the evening, trying to figure out what we would do the next day before we caught up with the Powells the following day. I like to have a plan so this part was a little overwhelming and nerve wracking for me, but we figured it out and settled on what to do the next day, even though I wasn't completely satisfied that it would be enough.
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