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Tuesday 2nd August 2005 - Departure from Capitol Reef and first day at Bryce
Canyon
We packed away our tents and left the beautiful Capitol Reef on a hot, sunny
morning with a clear blue sky. We had a few things to do in the nearby town
of Torrey; Martin was looking for a shop, mentioned in the guide book, which
sold climbing gear (and didn't find it); in addition, Martin wanted to briefly
check email and managed to do so by parking in the car park of a motel that
boasted free (and unsecure!) wireless internet access!
The drive to Bryce Canyon took us along "scenic route 12", apparently
regarded as one of America's top 10 scenic drives. We climbed up into a mountain
range to a height of about 10,000 feet above sea level. As per so many of our
journeys, we passed through a very varied set of landscapes, all of them very
picturesque. Martin was relatively restrained with his photo taking.... but
got a good few of the journey anyway.
By the time we reached Bryce Canyon, it was raining quite hard and there was
thunder and lightening occassionally. We'd been able to see the storm from at
least 10 miles away as we were approaching the park. Having camped, we went
to the visitor centre and watched an introductory video about the park. This
really whetted Martin's appetite to see the real thing. So we drove off to the
main viewing point of Bryce Point. It was still raining and a little chilly,
so Marina, Jack and Bekky didn't stay outside the car for very long. Martin
stayed longer and took lots of photos of the beautiful amphitheatre area. Hopefully
tomorrow we will hike down into it.
The weather still being inclement, we drove a little further into the park
before turning round and heading back to the campsite where Jack and Bekky started
work on their new journals and Martin wrote this diary entry, whilst Marina
read her book.
A little later the rain stopped so we drove to the southern-most point of the
park, Rainbow Point and walked an easy trail, Bristlecone Loop.
On the way back from our walk, we stopped at the viewing point from which the
Natural Bridge can be seen. This geological feature is technically not a bridge
but in fact an arch. Bridges are formed by erosion due to the force of water
whereas Arches are formed when wind and rain act upon weaknesses in the rock.
Back at the camp site we ate and watched out for chipmunks.
Click on the photos for full size versions
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In the Dixie National Forest on Route 12, near the highest
point of 9,300 feet above sea level
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In the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument,
on Route 12
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In Grand Staircase Escalante with a big storm in the
distance
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Somewhere on the way to Bryce Canyon.
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At the campground in Bryce Canyon NP. It was a bit chilly,
the only cold weather we experienced on the whole trip. We were pretty
high up though....
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We had a quick look at the "amphitheatre",
the main attraction in the park
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At Rainbow Point where we started the Bristlecone Pine
trail
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The "Natural Bridge"
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Back at the camp site, looks like it's dinner time
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One of our furrier neighbours
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