Back from Utah...

Pilgrim · July 24, 2010, 04:44:14 PM

My wife JoAnn and I just got back from a week in southern Utah...stayed at an off-season ski area and visited Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks.

Hiking down into Bryce Canyon is a real experience!

Here we are just emerging from the canyon:

Here's the easy way to go - take one step to the left and the next stop is about 1,000 feet down:

An arch in the trail:

I came away with more than 600 shots of various scenic items...when I get them up online I'll post a link to them.

OldManC · July 24, 2010, 06:25:27 PM

I love that area. I'm in northern Utah and can't ever seem to get down there lately. Bryce is one of my favorite places ever!

dadagoboi · July 24, 2010, 07:02:20 PM

Both are amazing places, I was there about 25 years ago and will never forget Zion at sunset. Look forward to more pix.

Highlander · July 25, 2010, 05:46:51 AM

Definitely no scenery like that in Scotland...

Barklessdog · July 25, 2010, 10:27:05 AM

Wow that is just amazing.

Highlander · July 25, 2010, 04:03:06 PM

Thinking of that drop your standing ebside, Al...

Anyone ever been to that glass walkway at the Grand Canyon...?

Dave W · July 25, 2010, 06:39:45 PM

Looks like the views are spectacular.

Freuds_Cat · July 25, 2010, 07:19:52 PM

Very cool looking weathering features there. Sounds like a good trip Al.

Pilgrim · July 25, 2010, 08:19:24 PM

Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on July 25, 2010, 04:03:06 PM
Thinking of that drop your standing ebside, Al...

As I mentioned to some other folks, it's clear that the paths around these parks are laid out by Rangers, not lawyers. signs in the parking lot tell you that pets and kids under 6 are NOT allowed, and strongly caution you to control your kids. If a federal lawyer ever visited these paths, he'd have a coronary.

Many of the paths are 3 feet wide and one step off the side means 1000 feet straight down. It's not a place you want to go if you're wobbly on your feet or can't stand heights. Aside from well laid-out viewing points which have stout platforms and safety rails, the paths have no safety rails, no safety devices of any kind...just you and the rim of a canyon. Miss your step off the side and it's all over for ya.

uwe · July 26, 2010, 04:57:00 AM

For all your faults (mainly: non-abolishment of the imperial measurements system and the invention of diet foods), you yanks are a lucky and blessed people. North America is just beautiful.

How did this come into existence? Ice age glaciers or rivers?

Pilgrim · July 26, 2010, 10:51:10 AM

Quote from: uwe on July 26, 2010, 04:57:00 AM
How did this come into existence? Ice age glaciers or rivers?

A combination of massive geologic upheaval - projecting parts of what was an ancient mid-continent sea bed up more than a mile in altitude. The result was an entire region (the Escalante Region) of exposed primarily sediment-based rock that has eroded through wind, water and other natural forces.

The general region in southern Utah and northern Arizona is called the Grand Staircase....the Grand Canyon is the low end of the strata, and Zion National Park is the highest elevation. Throughout the region, there are vast areas of unique geologic formations.

Here's a link to a web page that has some good links and a description of the region: http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/canyons_of_escalante.htm

Cursor down the page a bit and you'll find links to individual park areas. The videos at the top of many pages are pretty cool.