Bryce Canyon and Kolob Canyon — Simply Amazing

The unique landscape in southern Utah must be seen to be fully appreciated. Canyons galore, of course, then adding hundreds of hoodoos found at Bryce Canyon leaves one in awe of God’s gorgeous creation.

I decided to make a brief visit to Kolob Canyon since it was on our way to visit Bryce Canyon National Park. It turned into a very good idea. Following the Kolob Fingers Road Scenic Byway gave Abby and I yet another delicious taste of Utah’s beauty.

Kolob Canyons are at the northern end of Zion and are actually a part of the national park. Located just 50 minutes north of Zion’s visitor center, we found a much more peaceful and less busy place than Zion. Still, that takes nothing away from it’s beauty.

On our drive to Bryce, a stop in the town of Panguitch revealed this 130-year-old cabin. No doubt from one of the many Mormon settlers in the area.

And now for my personal favorite…so far. Over countless years of freezes and thaws, endless fields of distinctive red rock pillars, called hoodoos, have been carved in this landscape. Bryce Canyon National Park is said to have the largest collection of these hoodoos in the world.

Bryce sits at an average elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level. When rain or melting snow freezes, it expands to cause some of the surrounding rock (limestones, dolostones, mudstones, siltstones and sandstones) to break apart, forming the various shapes of the hoodoos. This illustration may help to explain the process:

But enough of this technical jargon, here’s a bit of the beauty to be seen at Bryce Canyon.

(Remember, to enlarge a photo, double tap the image.)

As I said, the unique landscape and unmatched beauty of Bryce Canyon have made it my favorite stop so far. I believe it well-deserves a spot on your bucket list too!

Next destination: Capitol Reef National Park.