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Today was a combination of scenic drive, short walks, and flat, easy hikes as we crammed a lot of sight-seeing in on our last day at beautiful Capitol Reef National Park. Read on for lots of photos and to see how Capitol Reef got its name.
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In my online research, this little waterfall hike intrigued me enough to drive 120 miles round-trip for a half-day outing. It was worth it.
After arriving in the area in the afternoon, we took a little drive into Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. For the little time we spent on this first visit, it seemed to live up to the other four National Parks in Utah we have visited.
Today we visited a small section of Bryce Canyon National Park that isn't accessible from the main park road (Mossy Cave). After a short hike and lots of photos there, we drove into the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument to see the impressive Grosvenor Arch before taking a quick drive through Kodachrome Basin State Park on the way back. It was a cold, but pretty day for more wonderful scenery.
After our fantastic hike in Bryce Canyon National Park yesterday - Figure 8 Hike - we decided to take it easy on our feet today. So we did this scenic drive that included several short walks and more beautiful scenery.
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah includes some of the most stunning views you will ever see. The Figure 8 Hike down in the canyon among the hoodoos ranks as one of our favorite hikes anywhere in the U.S.
This was the first day of our first visit to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. We spent a couple of hours getting acclimated and checking out the many viewpoints on the canyon rim. It is a beautiful place.
On our last day at Zion National Park, we just had to get a view of Zion Canyon from Observation Point. The views were worth the effort to get there.
Zion National Park has the most diverse hiking of any National Park we've visited. And this hike is one of the best. It's not located within the main park section which includes Zion Valley, so it has a much more remote feel and you need a permit to do this hike. Also, in peak season, you can only get a permit through a lottery system. The hike is not difficult, but it can be taxing on older joints due to the amount of scrambling over rocks and crossing the creek numerous times. Give yourself lots of time - we thought we had, but it almost wasn't enough.
Hidden Canyon Hike & Photo Tour of the East Side of the Park - Zion Canyon National Park - Utah4/24/2013
Today we did a hike that included narrow ledges and chains to hold onto attached to rock walls. Then we did a driving tour on the east side of the park which has it's own unique beauty that is different from the more popular Zion Canyon section.
The Narrows in Zion National Park is a hike in a river between high canyon walls. It's a unique experience and a very popular hike. We went early in the year and the water was a little high making things a little more difficult, especially for Linda, but I would count it as a top hike for us.
Taylor Creek Trail (aka Double Arch Alcove Trail) - Kolob Canyons Area - Zion National Park - Utah4/21/2013
Today was a hike in the quieter, less-visited part of Zion National Park known as Kolob Canyons. Looking back on the photos, I don't think I gave this hike enough credit. It's a really pretty hike along a stream with great red rock views.
Today, we entered Zion National Park for the first time. We used the free shuttle to drop us off in Zion Canyon for a couple of short hikes and to get a feel for the park. So far, we're pretty impressed.
We were part of the lucky few to get a permit through a lottery to be able to visit this designated wilderness area within the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on the Utah/Arizona border. Visitation is limited to only 20 people per day to help protect this wondrous place. If you manage to secure a permit, all your efforts will be rewarded with an experience you will never forget.
Hunter Canyon is another fantastic, scenic hike in the Moab, Utah area. The trail runs along a stream and there are red rock walls, formations, and the beautiful songs of Canyon Wrens beckoning you onward.
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