3/31/18 -Travel day from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef. Although a relatively short drive, steep climbs up mountains and very narrow roads at times made for a rather long drive. At one point we were on the ridge of the mountain in S turns with 1000 ft drops on either side of the narrow road. Needless to say Wendy was white knuckle.

Along the way we stopped at Kodachrome Basin and took ANOTHER hike! This area is unique with Sand Pipes anywhere from 60 to 170 feet tall. The pipes were form by underground pressure pushing these columns up like mini volcanoes and then over millions of years blasted by the wind and erosion.

                                                                 Indian Cave

                                            Looked like hands were carved into the stone.

                                                          Sights along the way to Capitol Reef.

 On our way we ended climbing Boulder Mountain at 11,000 feet with fairly steep up and down grades. Sue took a picture of the camper from her car.

3/30/18 Bryce Canyon - today we took the scenic drive to the end of the road to hike Bristlecone Loop trail. The trail still snow covered in places starts off at 9000 feet and is a short one mile hike to an overlook. This trail is much different then the Hoodoo trails and overlooks and is through a pine forest.

                                                        Two hotties on the trail.

Overlook at the Bristle Cone.

                                                      Remains of a volcano off in the distance

From Bristlecone trail 

we continued down the mountain stopping at overlooks along the way.

We ended the day with a half mile hike along the rim trail. Amazing views.

3/29/18 Bryce Canyon - We welcomed the Lakes to Utah, actually on the evening of the 28th. As usual the day started fairly early and was filled with hiking and sightseeing. Of course we just had to hike the Queens Garden and Navajo trail, 2.9 miles with a 600 ft elevation gain over .7 miles. Sue & Alan not really knowing what they were getting themselves into happily agreed. The last half mile of the trail has 20 switch backs!

Sights along the Queens Garden trail

          Sue attending to a struggling pine. The trees grow in unbelievably harsh spots.

Still early into the hike and everyone was still smiling.

 The distances here are hard to gauge. The picture below is from a 1/8 to 1/4 mile away.

                                            The trail is narrow at times with steep drop-offs.

Trail leads through a doorway cut into the stone.

              A little rest spot near the bottom of the canyon. Actually this was a pretty big overhang.

Lunch spot at the bottom on a log.

The Queens Garden trail intersects with the Navajo trail at the bottom of the canyon and almost immediately heads uphill.The trail quickly narrows and in some places is only 8 feet  or so wide.

A little hard to see there are two bridges from one side of the opening to the other.

                   And the switch backs start! 20 switchbacks in all to the top of the ridge at 8900 feet.