APRIL 21
We left our familiar campsite in Moab and drove to Bryce Canyon NP. Upon the recommendation of Karen and Dave, we stopped at Goblin Valley State Park in south central Utah and wandered among the 'goblins'. This variation on Colorado Plateau geology produces lumpy heads of rock sitting on towers of friable stone, rising 5 to 25 feet above the dirt plain creating armies or these structures looking sometimes like toadstools, goblins or whatever the imagination leads.
We arrived in the Bryce area late afternoon and went looking for a campsite in one of the dispersed camping areas just outside the park. We found a lovely site at Dave's Hollow which has a few sites scattered through a stunning Ponderosa Pine forest a mile from the park. Camping is free and we can hardly see a neighbor near us.
After dinner we had time to visit the park before sunset. It was more spectacular than I remembered.
APRIL 22
Today is devoted to exploring the park. We aimed for the biggest bang for the buck (or hike) and hiked down Queens Garden trail, explored the Peek-a-boo Trail ( who could resist) then up the Navaho Trail, all with stunning views of the curious rocky Hoodoos for which the park is famed. There were plenty of other folks on the trail near the rim, but the further we walked, the fewer people we saw.
APRIL 23
We went back into Bryce today to walk the rim trail, skirting the amphitheater overlooking the hoodoos. The views were breathtaking and constantly evolving as we walked along the rim.
Then drove outside the park to ride bikes in the Red Canyon nearby.
