Zion and Bryce National Parks

We left the LA area late on Monday (May 2) afternoon but managed to miss the big rush hour traffic. We didn't quite make it all the way to Zion, as hoped, but did get there by noon on Tuesday.

We found a lovely campsite next to a river (which would become our downfall....flowing river water and small bladders = bad combination) and set out for two short hikes in the Zion Valley (Riverside and Emerald Pools).

On Wednesday morning, we stopped on our way out of the Zion Valley to do an amazing hike which brought us to an overlook of the gorge carved by the Virgin River. If you find yourself with little time and have to set priorities; this hike should be in there. Combined with the scenic drive towards it, it could almost suffice (we were not all that impressed with Zion) The drive from there to Bryce gave us our first glimpses of red rock "hoodoos", the strange pillar formations.

Bryce: Unbelievable, amazing, awesome....words cannot describe the scenery in this park. With a light cover of snow in some areas, dark thunderclouds overhead and moments of bright sun, we saw the formations in all possible lighting. Took our first hike down into the canyon on the Queen's Garden and Horse Trails in late afternoon. Perfect timing - as the skies cleared and the quality of light was beyond compare.

At 8,000 feet above sea level, our campsite was chilly but peaceful.

Thursday, May 5: Bryce Point in the morning and the Fairyland loop hike (8 miles) in the afternoon. Again - remarkable sights and a great (possibly one of the top 10 hikes in the US) trail. Our timing was just right (again), as we just ended the hike when fierce thunder/hail/sleet storms began.

It was sad to have to leave Bryce, but there is only so much beauty your eyes can take in and our time is limited.

Onwards to Yellowstone.