WARNING PICTURE INTENSIVE!
As we continue our trek making a big loop through southern Utah we are amazed again and again with the raw rugged landscape. The views change constantly as we drive along. Today we started in snow covered ground at Bryce and drove through some of the most amazing scenery you can imagine from snow to desert. I know I am being redundant but it is just not possible to describe what we are seeing. I think one has to see it themselves to really get a feeling of just how dramatic it really is. We drove through some very rough barren country today as well as some nice National Forests.
The first picture is in Grand Staircase Escalante. The scenery here is awesome.
This is another one from Grand Staircase Escalante showing Powell Point named after the man who explored much of this area.
This one is of some Hoo Doos in Grand Staircase Escalante.
Here is Marcia pointing out a Hoo Doo to Dew. All of these in the Grand Staircase Escalante are along American Scenic Byway 12 which is a great drive but very hilly and curves around with several switchbacks. We decided not to take the camper over this drive but went out the other way to avoid the 14% to 16% grades on this route. We did drive it with just the truck and it was scary even then.
This is the first one of Bryce Canyon. It shows the immensity of the area with the Henry Mountains so far in the background you can hardly see them. They are 50 to 100 miles away.
This is a stream which is part of an irrigation project the early settlers used to irrigate the valley. They had to dig 10 miles of ditch across the top of the plateau to divert this water from a stream and this is where it comes down to the valley floor. There is a tremendous amount of irrigation in all of the valleys. They grow hay in the valleys which needs a lot more water than they normally get as rainfall.
Another view of the sweeping valley showing some Hoo Doos in the foreground.
This is called Natural Bridge. It is a large opening formed by natural forces where the water finds its way to the valley below.
Another view across the valley with the mountains way in the background.
More valley views from another perspective at Rainbow Point.
More from Rainbow Point.
Just to prove that I was actually this high up. I can't imagine why I wore shorts up here where there was still 2 to 4 feet of snow in places.
Hope everyone enjoys the pictures. As I said before they do not do justice to the natural beauty of the area.
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