CW: Into Bryce Canyon

On a damp morning, October 5th, our Country Walkers group drove to Bryce Point, the start for a hike down into (and back out of) the spectacular canyon. The Point is at the lower right corner of this map.

The trail started downhill gently. We were all prepared for rain showers.

We're headed down there.

Looking back towards the observation point.

The path changed texture many times as we descended.

The rain finds the trail to be a congenial surface. In places the way was merely wet, with water-carved channels in the middle; in others, there was muck that clung in gobs to our boots. The inside or outside edge could be a better place to walk, except when it suddenly wasn't.

Still headed down.

The sun came out, encouraging us all to shuck our rain jackets and pack covers. Then a shower passed through, demanding that we hastily reunite with our rain gear. After a few minutes, the sun came out again. Or at least, the rain stopped. Do we take the jackets and ponchos off again, or are we being just being teased? The first time I faced this dilemma, the answer was  just being teased.

The route takes advantage of a window which functions as a passage.

On the far side our horizon began to disappear.

Looking back at the underpinnings of the rim.

There was a panorama on all sides as we continued  to descend.

We had left the pale higher strata, and were floating in an ochre sea -- hydrated and anhydrous iron oxides with varying amounts of manganese producing many colors.

Can you see a supplicating figure on the far left? (Click on the image to enlarge.)

We reached the intersection with the Peekaboo Loop Trail.

Heather is explaining the choice ahead of us: go right to take the easier path, left for more up-and-down. In either case, we wouldn't do the complete loop. Instead, we'd climb back up to the top at Sunset Point, via a leg of the Navajo Loop Trail.

We went left, which included a pit stop and and opportunity to reorganize our gear. It looked like the rain had stopped, at least for a while.

Our group arrived at the Wall of Windows.

Here is one section of the Wall.

Twenty minutes later, we used another tunnel to break through a ridge. Climbing over these spires was not an option!

This capstone has put up a durable resistance to the weather. Note the sunshine.

In the other direction it's scenic, but the clouds weren't going away.

Next, a slot instead of a tunnel to pass through.

When our group reached the Navajo Loop Trail, we found a notice that the left-hand option, through the popular Wall Street formation, was closed. I recommend checking current conditions when here; as of this writing, Wall Street is open but Bryce Point and the Trail Head to Peekaboo Loop are closed.

Our right-hand route passed the Two Bridges.

After the wonders we had already seen, the two bridges were a bit anticlimactic.

Then it was up, up, up through many switchbacks to Sunset Point.

After a hearty lunch we drove along the ridgetops to the southernmost and highest point of Bryce Canyon National Park, Rainbow Point. I took a photo of this overall map at the Bryce Point Trailhead.

The altitude was between 9000 and 9100 feet. Clouds, fog, and drizzle had rolled in, and unfortunately there were rumbles of thunder as well.

Heather and Eric, our guides, decided that the risk of lightning was too great for a hike, and after a lookaround we drove back. Some chose to return to the lodge, while others, including Joan and me, chose to go in the van to the Visitors' Center. Bad timing struck there as well. The museum section was closed, so we occupied ourselves with the gift shop and the introductory short movie.

We returned to the lodge for a quick cleanup before the next event, a performance by cowboy singer and poet Kenny Hall at 5:30, preceding dinner. (Kenny also works at the park in Historical Preservation.) It was planned for a lecture room at the lodge, but a ranger presentation had been moved into that room because of the weather. After some minutes our guides arranged for two tables just outside the main dining room, and Kenny sang and recited and answered questions there.

We enjoyed our dinner at the same tables, but afterward it was time to pack. Tomorrow's action would take place both here in Bryce and then at Zion National Park. And points in between.