More Explorations in the Bryce Canyon Area

We started out the day by heading to the end of the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point. After checking out the vistas, we hiked the small 1 mile Bristlecone Trail. This trail took us through fir trees to an overlook where Bristlecone Pines were growing along the cliffside.  Then it was a reverse-course along the scenic drive with several stops at scenic overlooks to view the hoodoos, fans, and wall features of the canyons. At midday, we tackled a loop trail (Sheep's Creek and Swamp Canyon Trails). This was a nice, pretty shady trail down into the canyon. 

After all of that walking and touring, we definitely worked up an appetite. We ended up at the Pizza Place in Tropic, UT. The pizza was yummy and service was fantastic. They had plenty of patio seating and were doing a good job of keeping things clean and sanitary. Thumbs up!

The view from the end of Bristlecone Pine Trail.

Dimitri was enjoying the attention from all the tourists.

Starting the Swamp Canyon Trail. It was downhill from there.

A look up from the Under-the Rim section of the trail.

Rosie's paw after taking off the bandage.

On to Bryce Canyon...

Today was a shorter travel day (3 hours) and we arrived in Cannonville, UT. After settling in and grabbing some lunch, we hit the road to explore the highlights of Bryce Canyon National Park. It was a brief tour- visiting the Bryce Amphitheater area and the scenic overlooks. 

Folks, why is there a lighthouse in the middle of Utah?

The scenery started looking very different as we approached the Bryce Canyon area.

View from Sunset Point in Bryce.

Renee the chipmunk was a bit shy at first and then warmed up to us.

Inspiration Point

 

Bryce Canyon Overlook

The sunset on the opposite side of the canyon.

Her Left Foot...

Rosie has been battling a hurt foot for a couple of days. We thought it was a sprain from jumping off the bed, but it wasn't getting better so we found a vet to see her. 

Before her appointment, we had time to explore the East area of Zion. This area has a scenic drive with a long tunnel. The canyon overlook trail was fun with steep drop offs and stellar views throughout the trail and at the end. The rest of the drive had plenty of interesting geologic features. 

We got Rosie looked at and it turns out she had an abscess in her toe (from a poosible thorn). The vet fixed her up with antibiotics, painkillers, club foot, and cone of shame. She is on the mend.

Waiting to go through the one way tunnel (when oversized vehicles are going through).

The views on the Canyon Overlook hike were dramatic.

Canyon views at the end of the hike.

Henri wanted to follow me back.

Checkerboard Mesa.

Going back through the tunnel we caught this hiker trying to skirt the no dogs rule by stuffing one in her backpack. She still had another on a leash. Where is a ranger when you need one? Oh, they were playonh traffic cop 10 feet away. 

Emerging from the tunnel...

More scenic vistas from the drive.

Rosie sporting her pink, matching club foot and cone of shame.