Zion and Bryce Canyon
We did it! We visited Utah's Big 5 National Parks this year! The kiddos had a few days off for Fall break so we traveled down to Kanab and set-up base camp to visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
We drove down with a stop for burgers and shakes at a local place. Apparently this is a medium chocolate shake in Utah.
We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Kanab. The room was very spacious and clean. And the hotel provided "grab-n-go" breakfast because of coronavirus which worked great for our early starts. As always, swimming in the hotel pool was a highlight for the kiddos.
Getting into Zion National Park was the tricky bit. Because of the coronavirus, the number of people allowed on the shuttles each day was dramatically reduced. Tickets were released 2 weeks ahead- which I completely missed. Thankfully a few more tickets were released the day before, and I was able to get us on the 7 am shuttle. That meant getting everyone up at 5, grabbing our breakfast to go, and driving the hour to the park visitor center from our hotel. Even at that hour, we got one of the last parking spots at the visitor's center. It was all worth it though! We were walking on the trail toward the Narrows, with the first people in the park, before the sun was up.
We did not come prepared for hiking through the deep water of the Narrows in cold Fall weather. Plus, there were signs warning about neurotoxins in the water posted all along the trail. So we stopped when we reached the first water crossing. But it was a beautiful canyon to walk in anyway.
We rode the shuttle back toward the Lodge, and started our next hike, the Emerald Pools, from there. This hike is a moderate loop, with very scary warning signs. Until this year, this trail had been closed for many years due to rock falls, so we were glad it was open and we were able to experience it.
We saw several deer on this trail, and paused to let them cross.
The trail goes under this overhang with a waterfall, that you walk behind, with the water landing in the first of the emerald pools. Being Fall, the waterfall was minimal, but I imagine in the Spring there is a lot more water.
After continuing upward (a lot of upward if you ask our kids), we arrived at the second emerald pool. This was a nice spot to sit and rest, and many people were around doing exactly that.
Continuing down the trail, we found the final emerald pool. The sun was hitting this one just right to show how these pools came by their names. Amazing green color!
We also got to see some gorgeous views of the valley along the way. After our hike, we headed back to the Lodge to buy some lunch and sodas and rest our feet. The littles had definitely had enough hiking for the day- about 8 miles- after their early morning wake-up call. But Daddo and the big kids wanted to try to tackle Angel's Landing, the most famous and dangerous trail in the park.
The little ones and I headed back to the visitor's center to do the Junior Ranger program and relax. Dad and the big kids started the Angel's Landing trail, but decided they were too tired to go further when they reached Walter's Wiggles (21 leg burning switchbacks.) So they came back to the visitor's center and met up with us. Guess we have a reason to go back to Zion's another time!
On our drive out of the park we stopped to see this arch that is forming.
And we also pulled over to check out the Checkerboard Mesa. But we were all SO tired and ready to be done for the day. When we got back to the hotel we drove to Wendy's for an easy crowd-pleasing meal, and then we took a swim in the pool and soak in the hot tub.
We slept in a little bit longer the next morning before heading out to Bryce Canyon. On the way, we stopped at Forscher German Bakery in Orderville. They had some really lovely pastries and pretzels! Even our favorite Schokocroissants!
We promised the kids the hike on day two would be shorter, but I don't know if we told them it would also be harder. We started the Navajo Loop by turning down Wall Street which was a great choice.
I'm so glad we came down this side and went up the other side, which was a more gradual climb.
The orange rocks against the gorgeous blue sky were just breathtaking!
We left the Navajo Loop and turned onto the Peekaboo Loop, which had very few people comparatively.
Once back to the Navajo Loop, the climb was gradual but steady.
Getting closer to the top, there were a few switchbacks, but with spectacular views that made it worth it.
Thor's Hammer and the 3 Sisters.
We made it!
So proud of these kiddos for being adventurous and trying their best. Trail snacks and lots of water always help! With that, our planned hikes were complete, but we still drove the rest of Route 12 through the park and stopped at the many lookout points.
Natural Bridge
Yovimpa Point
Rainbow Point
We then made a stop at the visitor's center to buy our sticker and souvenirs, view the displays, and do our Junior Ranger booklet before leaving the park.
Just down the road we saw this faux-western town with shops so we stopped for ice cream... but they were closed for the season! Bummer.
They did have a fun photo op though.
We returned to the hotel for the final evening swim and takeout for dinner. Then I walked to the nearby grocery store and bought ice cream- as promised on the hike. We really enjoyed getting out of town for a few days. This pandemic, and the travel restrictions that go with it, have been very depressing this year. We're trying to make the best of it, enjoy Utah, and make memories together... and most of the time, I think we are accomplishing that.
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