Wandering Around: Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park

May 12-16, 2013

As much as we love Lone Rock, it was too hot there, so we thought about Zion National Park, but the weather there was almost as hot as Lone Rock (90s). However, not far from Zion was Bryce Canyon National Park, a lot cooler--and higher in elevation. Since we now knew that altitude wasn't a factor in Leah's dizziness, which was getting better, the prospect of cooler temps at Bryce prompted us to head that way. Of course, true to form, we didn't start driving until late in the afternoon, which meant we wouldn't arrive at a campground until near dark, never a good thing. On the other hand, it also meant we'd be driving through the raking golden light of evening, the photographic 'magic hour', the best time of day for landscape photography--or just plain sightseeing.

A lovely drive it was, and we did arrive at Red Canyon Forest Service campground (recommended by a fulltimer we'd met at Lone Rock) just as it was getting dark. Unfortunately, it was full! And the only other campgrounds were either the National Park campground or the expensive private campground-come-resort called Ruby's. The National Park campground was full, but Ruby's had room for us (at $50 per night), so Ruby's it was. (Read the interesting history of Ruby's Inn here.) Right after breakfast the next morning we hooked up and drove the 10 miles back to Red Canyon campground, and found an empty site, right at the end of a loop.

Please click on any photo to see it full size

Red Canyon campsite (Number 11??)

Another view of Red Canyon campsite

Rainbow at Rainbow Point!

Our trailer in the campsite (right), only steps away from a paved bike path that goes 10 or 12 miles to Bryce Canyon National Park

We explored the area by truck, with only one short hike up a nearby hill. While Leah was feeling better, we didn't want to push it. Actually, it was she who wanted to try the bikes on the bike path, but I balked at the thought of digging them out of the truck bed...so we didn't bike. Which reminds me that next time I'll carry the bikes on a bike rack attached to a hitch mounted on the trailer's frame. Getting at them in the truck bed was too much of a hassle.

While we didn't hike too much, we did do some walking at the various pull-offs on the 17 mile road that deadends at Rainbow Point. Beautiful view from Rainbow Point.

Rainbow Point, at 9400 ft, the highest point in the Park

We arrived at Rainbow Point late in the evening, just before the sun went down: magic hour. And, unbelievably, we were all by ourselves...despite the fact that earlier that day--and every day--this place is inundated with huge tour buses filled with Germans, French, and Asians! We felt lucky. Oh, and we actually saw a rainbow at Rainbow Point!

Rainbow at Rainbow Point!

I noticed some plaques near the parking lot that showed several hiking trails that left from the parking lot. Would have loved to have been able to hike right then, but it was too late: dark in 15 minutes.

But a day or so later, Leah encouraged me to go for a hike by myself, something I hadn't felt I could do, as I would be leaving her alone. However, she pointed out she was feeling better, and if she had trouble she had a phone, and the campground host was a few sites away. So off for a hike at Rainbow Point I went: