Grand Canyon
In one week of our road trip we witnessed some of the most humbling examples of the passage of time. Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon, you can visualize over 26 billion years of erosion and volcanic activity. The sheer size of the canyon is incomprehensible and the colours are beautiful reds, yellows and pinks, splashed across the vast landscape.
We didn't venture to the North Rim, as it is a five hour drive from the South Rim, but we had a great day, strolling the South Rim, visiting the ranger stations and museums and experiencing a beautiful Grand Canyon sunset.
Here are some handy facts about the Grand Canyon: it is 349 km long and ranges from 6 to 30 kms wide and the walls are 1,200 to 1,800 m high. Each of the thirteen geologic layers, some of which can be clearly seen, represent roughly one billion years of geologic history.
In the picture above you can just see some people at the top right corner. It gives some perspective of the sheer size of the canyon!
In this picture (above) you can see the Colorado river, which runs for 2, 330 kilometres, originating in the Colorado Rockies and flowing through to California and Mexico, bringing life and after to seven US and 2 Mexican States. Through a lot of our trip the river was our companion. It is this river which formed the Grand Canyon, and much of the Utah Canyonlands, slowly eroding a path through the rock.
Zion
We had really been looking forward to Zion.I had heard so many great things and we weren't disappointed. We got there early and nabbed a campsite in the bustling grounds and got on the free shuttle bus, the only transportation through the park, installed to decrease congestion. Our first walk was up to the hanging gardens. When it rains on the upper plateaus of Zion, the porous rock allows water to seep through. The water then comes trickling out the lower levels, creating gardens that flourish, seemingly out of rock walls. It also creates beautiful moss covered waterfalls and fern walls that cover rock faces.
We also did the hidden canyon trail which takes you up and into a canyon, where at some points you can reach out and touch the two canyon walls. It was a hot day but inside the canyon it was lush and green, with a trickling stream.
The next day we did the angel's landing, which takes you to the top of a rock formation, 368m tall at an elevation of 1,763m. The trail is 3.9km and steep, with 21 switchbacks, called Walter's Wiggles, which is Utah's version of Lombard St.
Walter's Wiggles
After trekking up these, you come to Scout Lookout, which is the endpoint for the fearful of heights. The last half mile is all rock climbing, steep cliffs and chains to clutch perilously to. It was good fun and the view from the top was worth it.
Bryce Canyon
We just did a quick drive through Bryce Canyon. We went to Bryce Amphitheater, which is a wide space full of wacky rock formations called hoodoos. The evolution of a hoodoo is quite interesting. First formed is a fin, which is a solid rock outcrop that looks a bit like a sharks fin. Erosion by sand, wind and water eventually sculpts the fin into an arch. When the arch collapses, two hoodoos are left standing. When standing on the edge of the Bryce amphitheater, I felt like the hoodoos were stone soldiers, keeping watch and standing tall.
Arches
It was a bit of a cold and yukky day so we did a big drive through Arches National Park but didn't camp. We still fit a lot of the sights in. We saw Delicate Arch, which adorns the Utah numberplate, and the massive double arch. We were a bit sore from the big angels landing trek, so we kept our hikes to 1-2 miles in length.
Me standing under double arch
We are now back in Fernie and settled in, so I will put up the rest of the photos soon. It was a great road trip but it is nice to have a bed to sleep in and a familiar place to call home.
Much love,
T and Z.
We saw lots of wildlife in Grand Teton
Snake
Bison
Peak hour at Bison Intersection
Baby bears
Yellowstone National Park
Baby bison!
Much Montana love,
