As we entered Utah we were amazed at the variety of scenic vistas and changing landscape along the way. Our first camping reservation was at Cannonville, UT. From here we would visit Zion, Bryce, and several off road sites that proved to be great exploring surprises for us!
We were introduced into Utah’s canyon lands when we first drove through Red Canyon leading into the Bryce Canyon area. We soon became very familiar with the hoodoos (geographic rock formations often described as having a “totem pole-shaped body.”) that make this area so unique.
First up – Bryce Canyon!
Our first view of Bryce Canyon was an overlook where we could see for miles – it was a vast panorama with colorful cliffs, rocks, hoodoos, and foliage all blended into a beautiful landscape.
We spent a day just driving the canyon ridge and stopping along the way for views and photos. It was calming with a sense of excitment – wondering what the next view would be like. We would often just stare into the live picture before us – no words, just thoughts of God’s majesty.
We came across this “Natural Bridge” at the same elevation as our cabin in Colorado. It’s really not a bridge but an opening in the wall supporting more hoodoos and a beautiful formation to see!
And then there was this bird, a very large bird! It seemed to be everywhere we were. It’s height was from below the shoulders to the top of the head. From the scriptures: Mat. 6:26 “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” This fowl was well fed! …and a great reminder that we are very well loved, taken care of, and blessed!
Whew! What . A . View! There are many opportunities to hike down into Bryce Canyon for spectacular views and for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We chose to just observe from the top – looking down into the canyon (because hiking down also meant hiking UP!) …and we had already hiked every vista outlook. We needed to just enjoy a quiet picnic lunch!
An off road adventure we stopped to explore!
Between our campsite and Bryce Canyon, there was an option to explore something called “Mossy Cave”. This is one of our “off the road adventures” that proved to be pretty fun! It was a hike into a canyon similar to the Bryce Canyon area. We found ourselves looking up at the rock formations that we have previously been looking down on – such a different view!
It was a beautiful hike – we had a stream, waterfalls, a cave and even ice (look behind Lorree’s hand) still hanging out in the cave! (And yes there was moss growing on the walls of the cave!)
At the end of the day we were tired – we had hiked almost six miles at over 8K elevation mostly uphill! On the way home we passed this sign: Elevation 7777 ft. Perfect! It was a wonderful day but we’d better get rested up for tomorrow!
Let’s check out – Zion National Park!
We drove into Zion on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway (Highway 9) from the East. This way provides direct access for travel between Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks and allowed us to experience the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and all of the switchbacks afterward! What a beautiful way to see so much of the amazing scenery!
Zion Canyon is closed to traffic so we took advantage of riding the on-and-off shuttles and hiked / explored as much of Zion as we could in one day.
One of our goals was to hike up to the slot canyon called ” The Narrows”. We did that – about 2 miles round trip. We were excited to see the river coming through the narrows canyon and to be able to sit, rest, and experience the cold river. There were slippery river rocks everywhere and we didn’t come prepared for that so we didn’t hike up the Virgin River into the slot canyon. (Maybe another day?) We enjoyed being at the “launch site” watching other groups with their water shoes and hiking poles hiking up into the canyon. It was fun to be there that day, another great adventure and more great memories! What’s next?
A slot canyon! …only a few miles from our campsite! We’ve had a slot canyon on our “bucket-list” for a while and it turned into one of our favorite adventures!
To get to the Willis Creek Slot Canyon trail head, we had to take a secluded four wheel drive road through the desert and hills. So thankful (again!) for the blessing of this truck God allowed us to own.
We had no idea what we would be seeing or hiking through. We’ve seen pictures of slot canyons – but to be here….!?!! Wow! And this is just a little one – but to us on this day it was so spectacular! We kept refering to the scripture – “hidden in the cleft of the rock”. The rocks have such an intense sense of fortitude, strength, and safety (let alone the beauty all around us!)
When a heavy rain pours down from the heavens, the slot canyon could be a dangerous place to be. The water accumulates and rushes through the canyon – creating a “slot” in the earth. It certainly has carved out an amazing creative colorful design for us to enjoy! The creek was dry this day, we’ve learned that we could have been hiking through ankle deep water – that would have been fun!
The sunshine poured into the canyon allowing us to see the lines and swirls in the rock with the contrasting shadows of the crevices.
Once again God revealed to us how great He is (and how small we are) inside of His beautiful creation. “You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” Ex 33: 21-23. The “cleft of the rock” represents Jesus Christ. To those hidden by Him, that same glory means life, protection and peace!
We have such joy and assurance in our souls – Jesus is OUR ROCK – We pray you know Him!
…and then this! What is Grosvenors Arch? Let’s check it out!
Continuing on from Willis Creek Slot Canyon along a long and sometimes rough dirt road – there’s this majestic rock arch – so impressive to walk up to it!
…and then to stand underneath it… it was so massive! It is a soul stirring thing to be overwhelmed and literally in awe. It was “awe-full” and it was SO fully great!
We took a side trip off of our side trip to see the campground at Kodachrome State Park. We saw some very unique rock pillars – this looked to be a great campground.
So after another full day and over 5 miles of hiking – we cooked up some great food and enjoyed our final evening at our Cannonville Campground. We’ll be traveling Hwy 12 through the heart of Utah tomorrow – so much more to see!