MJK2 On the road 2011: Hiking in Bryce Canyon

We arrived in Bryce Canyon City, of the infamous Ruby's Inn, early enough to head into the National Park for an evening stroll. Our goal was to get to Inspiration Point. We ended up near to Rainbow Point, which is the southernmost tip of the park, before heading back north to our actual destination. Their signs are more useful on the way down than the way up- their plan is that you head to Rainbow Point and then stop at all the overlooks on the way north, thereby avoiding any cross traffic turn offs. Great in theory- not so much in practice.

We were told at check in that there was a free tour up to Rainbow Point (if you had either an annual pass or a receipt for the 7 day entrance fee). We signed up for that, too, hoping that we would get
more information. This little tufted titmouse was trying to feed its babies as we waited for the bus. The nest was in the bus stop- the pair of them would fly out of the nest and then wait on the branches for a clear shot at the nest... you can see the bugs in its beak, though.

Have to say, the scenery is as amazing as I remembered from our 2004 trip. This time, we planned on many hikes since the kids are old enough to be able to manage them. We were also glad that the temps here are about 20 degrees cooler than in Zion- so even in the midday heat, it was considerably cooler for hiking (although we tried not to be out in the rocks in the heat of the day!).

Inspiration Point was spectacular. The colors of the hoodoos, the depth of the crevasses, the view into the distance- simply phenomenal. The ravens hang out at the view-points, hoping for handouts.

The Natural Bridge- which is actually an arch (since by definition bridges have to be over water) is totally awesome.

We headed back to Inspiration Point for sunset that day- not Sunset Point (which is strange, but all the people that know said go to Inspiration Point for sunset and Bryce Point for sunrise.)