Kanab & Bryce Canyon National Park & Grand-Staircase Escalante

 March 10, 2021

Today we took a 3 mile hike on the Squaw Trail climbing up 785ft.

It started in the town of Kanab right by a park with baseball fields.

It was a brisk 41 degrees when we set off.

The trail took us into the meeting of these two walls.

Jim on the trail which was often on the edge of the hill.

And some times the edge was not flat.

We walked around this arena shaped canyon.

Passed this great wall.

We spied this window.

And hiked on the sandy top

To get to this view of Grand Staircase-Escalante.

The view included trees for a nice green accent color against orange rock.

The view was great all around.

Take a look at this video to see the view.

This bumpy wall grabbed my attention on the way back down.

As did this imbedded arch.  

Here is Jim at the skinniest point on the trail.

Clouds started to roll in as we continued down.  It is supposed to start raining/snowing tonight and continue on Thursday.

This afternoon we shot a little pool here at the campground.  We have to stay sharp to play at Rick's Pool Hall back at home.  Today, Jim won, of course.

And just before 6pm it started to snow.

March 11, 2021

It snowed last night.

Here's the view from our back window at the campground this morning.

Melissa reminded us there is no bad weather. . . and Mark encouraged us by saying he loved Bryce. . 

it snowed last night and will snow tonight - let's squeeze a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park in between the snowfalls.

The view at the campground shows snow on the red rocks.

The views on the way to Bryce also are snow covered.

We arrived at Bryce to see it snowed even more here since it is up at 8,000ft

The orange rocks are blanketed in white snow.

The hoodoos are obscured by the blanket of snow.

Yet, it seems so special to be here to see it in snow.

Jim ducks thru a hoodoo tunnel.

Same passageway seems roomy to me.

Yes, we used our hiking poles today to get a grip on the snow packed, icy trail.

This wall of fins/hoodoos seemed so orange since no snow stuck on it.

A few hoodoos still stand out on their own.

The addition of the green pine trees add such a Christmas-sy feel.

Jim enjoying the view.  (He looks like he is ready to ski downhill)

Breathtaking, especially as blue sky breaks thru the clouds.

Here at the queen's garden.

And atop this peak is the queen overlooking her garden

It is a lovely garden.

After coming in on the Queen's Garden trail, we decide to take the Navajo Loop out of the canyon.

The sun hit this spot on the trail leaving an odd orange slush on the trail.

The Navajo Loop is like walking in a pine forest.

With a few orange hoodoos 

Before we ascend out, we see two natural bridges.

Ignore the fallen tree the bridges are the horizontal rock between the 2 walls.

Here are some of the switchbacks that will take us up and out of the canyon.  And that is only the beginning of the climb out, the top is the high point on the far left.

A gorgeous side view as we climb out.

Thor's Hammer on the left and 3 urns.

And then the view at sunset point when we get to the top.

Another view from sunset point.

Bryce is truly a beautiful place.

Looks like snow in the distance.

Time for a quick lunch at the lodge here in the park.

Pizza and some hot chicken corn chowder.  Just the thing to warm us up.  It was about 30 degrees today.

The road back was downhill and yes, it snowed or rained most of the way.

Back at the campsite it started snowing at six pm, you can't even see the red rocks which are obscured by the clouds and falling snow.

March 12, 2021

Today's forecast rain and snow, sounds like a good time to do some laundry, read a book.

March 13, 2021

All of this on and off again snow is supposed to end this morning.  It looked clear when I first peeked outside but then clouds rolled in and a little sleet at 10 am.

   At noon a little bit of blue sky; time to go on an adventure to Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument via a driving tour of Johnson Canyon.

First stop the "Lion's Head" or as I call it Saber Tooth Tiger

Okay first we put up the wall frames, add window frames then start to fill it.

Second stop, Eagle Gate Arch

We did not see the pioneer grave that was stop 3.

Stop 4 is Dairy Canyon.

Here were the expectations for stop 5.

Well, it has been a while since 1975 and the buildings are in rough shape now.

Just a chimney left here, but a good view beyond it.

"The television series of Gunsmoke ran from 1955 to 1975 and is said to be one of the longest running prime-time shows on television. There were 635 episodes and many of the outdoor scenes for this show were shot in Johnson Canyon near Kanab, Utah. The setting of Gunsmoke is Dodge City, Kansas during the 1870’s."  Does it look like Kansas to you?

Stop 6 is a great view of the White Mountains.

Stop 7 Pioneer Farm and Equipment.

I would like to note that this building is still in use today.

Stop 8 was Sunflowers in a summer field, well it is not summer so, Snow on the ground.

Stop 9 trailhead for Hog Canyon.  After the rain the lot and most likely the trail were very muddy, not wanting to get stuck we decide not to hike Hog Canyon today.

Stop 10 Bunting Ranches

"Categorized under Cattle Services. Our records show it was established in 1890 and incorporated in Utah. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of 93,135 and employs a staff of approximately 2."

Stop 11 Indian Writings

Visual evidence of vandalism- looks like someone took shots at the wall.

And wrote their names over these Indian Writings.

Stop 12 Pioneer Billboard

"Many years ago, the people who traveled the Skutumpah Road through Johnson Canyon regularly used inscriptions as a means of communication.  Inscriptions are different than the prehistoric petroglyphs or pictographs. By definition, they are usually at least 50 years old and use both the alphabet and pictures or symbols. They are more than just graffiti: sometimes they were a way to advertise or simply the only way to leave a message or record of who had passed by."

Stop 13 Nephi Pasture 4WD trailhead.

We did not do any 4WD trails, but they are very popular around here. 

Stop 14 the canyon to Montezuma's Cave.

"Could the rural area around Kanab, Utah be the resting place of Montezuma's gold? Did the Aztec hide their mythical treasure deep in the sandstone? Freddy Crystal, a prospector back in 1914 believed so. Based on stories and evidence he compiled in Mexico, he set his sights on the white sandstone peaks in southern Utah as the resting location. His hunt around Kanab began in 1914.  Finding petroglyphs, and a series of moki steps in Johnson canyon, Freddy believed he had found his treasure in 1922. He found tunnels that appeared to have been built and sealed by the ancient Aztec. Upon returning to Kanab, Freddy sold his idea to the townspeople and enlisted their help. For the next couple of years he and many of the townspeople worked to excavate the tunnels. No gold was ultimately ever found."

Stop 15 Swapp Canyon

We prefer the name Rock Tepees

And that takes us to the end of the drive, now we turn around and go back,

so here are some more photos from the drive back.

It was a great drive, but I need a hike, so off to K-Hill trail.

I am going solo on this one, Jim is not interested in a hike today.

The trails shows some moisture but it is not too wet.

Gorgeous red rocks all along this trail.

A little bit of blue sky.

Followed by more clouds moving in.

Then it began to snow, just a little.

A sign that Spring will come.

From the trail I can see my RV in the middle down there.

The snow continues and Jim comes to pick me up back at the trailhead.

It is time to head south for some warmer weather.