Peekaboo in the Hoodoos, Bryce Canyon NP

Today we enjoyed Bryce National Park. Bryce is very close to Zion in distance but very different in nature. Zion is a deep, narrow canyon with huge stone monoliths and high cliffs. It has a river, streams and springs. Zion is largely experienced from the canyon floor and it is a very hot place in the summer. Bryce Canyon is a broad and wide canyon whose primary distinction is relatively the small spires, columns and towers known as "hoodoos". It is viewed primarily from the canyon rim and is relatively cool and breezy.

As we entered the park we learned that the forecast high temperature for today was 68 degrees, a very welcome relief. We enjoyed a few overlook views and then took a hike down into the canyon. The Peekaboo Trial is a loop hike about five miles long and is so-named because it rises and falls a number of times along its path, playing "peekaboo" with the hoodoos. It drops about 1600' into the canyon. After the Peekaboo Loop, we explored the historic Bryce Canyon Lodge, looking primarily for ice cream. We haven't found any yet, but did find this open internet connection. We are fixing to head back to camp, and will find an ice cream shop on the way. Ruby's Inn is just outside the park and they have EVERYTHING.

The plateaus and canyons of southern Utah have some of the darkest skies in the US. to take of this darkness, Bryce Canyon NP has an astronomy unit. They were set up with two 15" reflecting telescopes at Red Canyon CG tonight offering viewing to visitors. We saw a number of heavenly bodies including Venus, Jupiter, a spiral nebula, a ring nebula and pair of binary stars.

Tomorrow our plan is to pack up and move to Capitol Reef National Park and look for a campsite nearby.