Bryce Canyon and Grand Staircase- Escalante

Snow has been following us as we drive between National Parks. Luckily, we have managed to keep dry on all our walks.

In search of a cool place after more desert, we walked the Calf Creek Falls trail in the Grand Staircase/ Escalante National Monument.

View of our canyon walk from the Hogs Back after Boulder.

Excellent example of desert varnish in black and orange stripes.


Desert varnish is caused by the activity of living organisms.

Microbes oxidize iron and manganese found in clay minerals to create these black to orange yellow coatings found where water flows over canyon walls.


The layering patterns of black (manganese rich) is caused by humid conditions and the orange (manganese poor) is caused by arid conditions indicating the dustiness of the depositional setting.

More red sand, and sculpted rock; Sarah finally gave up her shorts for a couple of days.



This canyon was the first we had found with a river running in it, hence lush vegetation and even oak trees. All of the riverbeds we have seen previously have been dry.

The falls themselves were beautiful but a touch on the cold side; once more we were lucky to time the walk to have the place to ourselves.

Bryce Canyon National Park

A few miles before arriving at the park, we found a walk called Mossy Cave. The waterfall, thunderous black skies and eroded sandstone– called “Hoodoos” were impressive.

Little did we know that Bryce Canyon had thousands of “Hoodoos”.

These are formed when wind and rain erode fins of hard rock that become columns that are further eroded into strange shapes.

The high altitude (2300-2700m) wind and ice continue the carving process.

Driving the scenic route 2 hours before sunset proved to be a good decision. Fewer people and enhanced colours and lots of short walks.

The Grand Staircase/Escalante is in the back ground.

High on the rock is someone off track for the ultimate selfie.

We have seen lots of crazy behaviour near sheer drops (e.g. jumping in the air, balancing on one leg, running to the edge then stopping suddenly). Goes to prove that idiocy is international. There are no safety barriers here.















Many ponderosa pines on the rim have been struck by lightning. They form a spooky foreground.

A full day of walking covering 25km started with a narrow Queens Garden trail into the canyon itself

to get up close and personal with the hoodoos.

Sarah next to Thor’s hammer

Still a bit chilly and windy on these walks.

The Fairyland loop was a challenge at 8 miles with no bail out, and with multiple elevation changes.

We started with a rim walk and headed to Fairyland Canyon, full of deep orange stone towers.

The trail descended on steep narrow tracks, but also rises and falls between Buttes, Mesas, Towers, columns and Hoodoos.

The valley floor was still above 2000m.

We have got much better at walking at altitude but still suffer a bit going uphill. Sarah is much better at it than me, but I do like to stop and breathe in the fresh air and take photos.

Deep breathing, lots of water and frequent stops required.

We walked back along the rim to Bryce Point.

As it was a long day, we took the bus back to the lodge. This was a luxury for us.  We were shocked to hear people deciding that half a mile between scenic viewpoints was too much for them.

If you ever come here, come early or come late; park and walk. It’s the only way to get away from the crowds.






We enjoyed Bryce Canyon; a fascinating place.