Kodachrome Basin State Park and Grosvenor Arch

Cannonville, Utah
             

Kodachrome Basin State Park is located just south of Cannonville off Scenic Byway 12, an All American Road.




The first of our two hikes for the day was Shakespeare Arch-Sentinel Trail.



This trail is a 1.7 mile loop that gives access to the only large natural arch within the park.


This first part of the trail, about a half mile, to reach the arch was relatively easy.

But, after the arch, the trail changes...it's a little more difficult.


The trail narrows and climbs offering magnificent views of the Grand Staircase-Escalnate National Monument which surrounds the park.






  





At an elevation of 5,800 feet, the lands of Kodachrome Basin are classified semi-dessert. Plants must adapt to drought and extreme temperatures. 


Medium sized trees include pinion pine and Utah junipers.





We found the dead trunks and roots of many trees. The wood is very twisted and gnarled. We could even hear it crackling as the wind blew...

 Flowering plants and grasses thrive. The yucca plants were full of buds.

The common raven is just one of several species of birds found here.




       
                       








Once we rounded the tip of the plateau, the hike down was a lot easier.






We saw beautiful banks filled with grasses and plants on our left and the basin on our right.



     

                                    


               

Our second hike, Panorama Trail, was a three mile loop.

 
 

 




This trail offers views to several sedimentary pipes.

There are over 70 spires in the park ranging from 6 to 170 feet in height.
 

 

                     

                                                                                        

This trail also offers some interesting geological features such as caves.



The color and contrast here prompted the National Geographic Society, with consent from Kodak Film Corp., to name the park Kodachrome in 1949.

I had mentioned in an earlier post that we took a Jeep ride and explored in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

About 15 miles down the Scenic Backway 400 is the Grosvenor Arch. As you can see, we were not the only travelers taking advantage of the beautiful day. 

 Grosvenor Arch is a unique sandstone double arch. It is named to honor Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor (1875-1966) who was a president of the National Geographic Society. The area is handicapped friendly, has a restroom and a picnic area.

Today is packing up day...tomorrow we will head for new adventures!

We have certainly had a great time here and hope to return.

 Thanks for joining in on our journey.

 

Hope you have a nice week-end!

Y'all come back!

Queen's Garden Trail and Navajo Loop

Cannonville, Utah
                                                      

Last Tuesday we were up early and out the door by 8:30am. Destination... Bryce NP.

The Queen's Garden Trail begins at Sunrise Point...elevation 8017 feet.

 
 

This trail is a steep descent of 320 feet...like climbing down a 32 story building.

 
 

This sign pretty much sums up the trail. Joe and I were both glad we had purchased nice hiking boots back in Tucson.

 
 

 Highlights of the hike included spectacular views around every turn. A photographers heaven!
 
 
 
 

 
There were fantastic rock formations that we found interesting. They sure generated a lot of visual activity! 
 
 
As you descend, the scenery changes...lots more green added to the picture.
 

 
The Ponderosa pines stand  so tall and proud.
 
 

They have needles that grow in groups of three.

 
And we found  the ancient bristlecone pines again.

 Horse back riding is available if you enjoy that. I would be way to nervous on those steep slopes and drop-offs.

At the end of the trail there is a rock formation...wonder why its called the Queen's Garden? The formation so resembles Queen Victoria, regal in her crinolines, surveying her Queendon.

Is this the end of the hike...I don't think so. At this point, you can go back the way you came (making the hike a 1.8 mile roundtrip) or you can continue on the connector trail that joins to Navajo Loop which is just what we did. 
 

 

As we continue, we are surrounded by beautiful trees...pines and firs mostly.

Its sunny, but the shade from the trees help to keep us cool.

How different everything looks from the canyon.

The rocks we just walked through and on look so fragile.

Shortly after the connector trail joins the Navajo Loop, we walked through a section of narrows. I love the narrows! Our first experience with narrows were with Steve and Joan...thanks again!

There is a 400 year old Douglas Fir tree in the narrows. I'm not sure if this is it or not.

We sure saved the hardest part of the hike for last! This is a picture looking down on switchbacks...very steep and narrow switchbacks...lots of stops for water here!



I thought the end was near...oh no! More steep inclines, but the views made it worthwhile. We climbed 521 feet...like climbing UP a 52 story building!

 Whew! Almost done! Navajo Loop Trailhead begins at Sunset Point...but, Pearl was waiting at Sunrise Point. Actually, we planned it that way. We enjoyed the last half mile on a nice, FLAT walkway...





...enjoying all the views the Amphitheater had to offer. Total hike...drum roll please...2.9 miles!

                    It was a day! A day we won't soon forget. What a feeling of WOW!

                                        

                                                  I hope you had a day of "WOW!" too.

 

 

 Is this tree clinging on for dear life or what?

 

 

 Pearl sure looked good sitting there waiting on us!

 

This little fellow welcomed us to the park bright and early on our way in...

...Y'all come back!