Howdy! Today we visited Bryce, next to Zion my favorite National Park. When we drove to Bryce though, a huge cloud appeared on the horizon. Apparently half of the forest in the park was on fire!
We drove straight to the Bryce visitor center and inquired some information regarding the subject. Apparently the fires are controlled and actually good for the ecosystem. When driving through the park we actually drove on the borderline of the fire zone. We got to behold the devastating power of the forest fire from up close. Luckily enough firemen were around to guard the situation.
When we arrived at the viewpoints we really saw the beauty of Bryce. It's nothing like we've seen before, and especially the pines forest gives a much fresher feel to it. The rock formations were a lot more brittle, and in my opinion a lot nicer. The rocks also have a lot warmer color.
On our way back to our car we met a friendly and extremely cute squirrel furiously engaged in eating a wooden stick. Later on we also saw a herd of deer peacefully wandering through the forest.
At seven in the evening we headed over to the local rodeo event. First horses were kept under control, followed by sheep for the junior cowboys, cows and eventually the big ass bulls. The most exciting ride was of a little boy on one of the sheep. He just kept going even after the bell had rang, and when he finally jumped off he gladly accepted all the applaud he received.
After digesting the day's sights with a mighty ribeye, we had a good night sleep and took off to Zion.
The first day we arrived at Zion, we went to the visitor center to confirm our backcountry reservation permit, and pick up our human waste disposal bags for the overnight thru-hike starting the day after.
The main activity of that day was the Angel's Landing trail though. Angel's Landing is one of the most famous and thrilling hikes in the national park system. Zion's pride and joy runs along a narrow rock fin with dizzying drop-offs on both sides. The trail culminates at a lofty perch, boasting magnificent views in every direction. One would think that this narrow ridge with deep chasms on each of its flanks would allure only the most intrepid of hikers. Climbers scale its big wall; hikers like us pull ourselves up by chains and sightseers stand in awe at its stunning nobility. The towering monolith is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Southwest. Yet not a problem for us! After an amazing and daunting hike we reached the top. There's nothing like sitting on top of Angel's Landing overlooking the entire Zion National Park. Such an experience is simply unforgettable!
After a very short night we woke up at 4:45 am to get ready for our second hike in Zion. The Zion Narrows is a diverse trek through Zion's premier canyon and one of the most touted and breathtaking adventures in America. Extraordinary beauty and unique character describe this amazing gorge. Hanging gardens burst from dramatically colored perpendicular walls while trickling water threads its way through moss covered boulders. Gentle slopes give way to sheer walls funneling streams of water into fluted slides and twisting channels cutting deeper and deeper as the journey continues its path southward. Along the sandy perches of the banks, towering ponderosa send their roots downward, hungry for nutrients and water. The entire trip is wondrous. The Zion Narrows deserves its reputation as one of the best, if not the best, hike in the National Park System.
The overnight top-down route is definitely the most amazing. As mentioned, few hikes on Earth surround you with such grandeur over the entire length of the hike and when traveling through the entire length of the Narrows, you really get the best of it. Starting from the top, this hike takes you on an eighteen million-year journey through geologic time. From open pasture lands on top of the plateau, the river slowly slices into the Earth, sinking deeper and deeper below the stone walls on either side. Gradually, the shorelines grow smaller and smaller, the walls grow taller and taller, and we found ourselves in a grand, enormous hallway of beautifully carved stone. It is truly like being in an Indiana Jones movie. The drama continues for miles, as corner after corner reveals more surprises and wonders of this unique and magical place. Somewhere along the trail we set up our tent to spend the night, to fall asleep right next to the flowing river.
Although our feet were completely devastated after these Zion hikes, it was totally worth it. Only one little downside: rats ate a hole through our tent to get to some garbage inside. They also ate my apple! Oh well, rats gotta eat too, right?
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