Spring Break 2019: Bryce Canyon & Red Canyon

Days 3 and 4 were spent in Bryce Canyon National Park and Red Canyon. It only took us about 45 minutes to drive there from the house that we rented, which was wonderful. It meant that we could have slow mornings, allow the kids to play in the snow in the yard, and have a good breakfast before heading out.

We were totally unprepared for Red Canyon Park; you actually drive through it on the way to Bryce and it's such an amazing first look at red rocks and their amazing hoodoos.

The boys and Ben immediately started climbing (see them on the top of the cliff)

And I immediately started taking pictures.

And we were already SO amazed.

It was hard to believe that anything could be cooler...and then we saw the main canyon of Bryce...

It is absolutely "other worldly" and the snow really added a really  neat effect.

Check out this awesome tree surviving on the cliffs.

Unfortunately because of the snow, we weren't able to do a lot of the hikes, but the one that we did was pretty awesome. It was called, "Queen's Garden," was around 2.5 miles down and back.

There were so many cool formations and it was so fun to get the up close perspective of the hoodoos.

There was magic around every corner and I LOVED the red rocks against the blue sky.

It's was so fun to have Ben's parents with us!

Josh, of course, wouldn't be left behind in any of the climbs.

Part of the trail.

Seth

Family picture time.

I love this picture of Ben and his dad.

I didn't make it all the way to the bottom (my feet have been bothering me with plantar facitis), but this wasn't a bad view while I waited for the others.

Post hike rest.

We spent the afternoon doing the "Rainbow Road," (which again was half closed because of the snow). Every view point showed a different perspective and we were SO amazed.

Natural Bridge Viewpoint

Bryce Point

A zoom-in of some of the hoodoos.

The twins at the viewpoint (Sam, Seth)

Panoramic photo

Ben and Josh at a different viewpoint

The next morning we woke up excited to further explore the area (we were so happy that we had two days!). Our plan was to do a short hike called Mossy Caves, then head to the main canyon one more time for a viewpoint we hadn't seen, and do some souvenir shopping. We ate lunch in the car as drove the 15 minutes to Red Canyon for an afternoon hike.

Seth and Sam

More climbing

A rare (great!) family picture.

And a great one of Jeff and Diane as well.

This hike featured a great creek.

And the most amazing multicolored rocks.

And a waterfall (also a mossy cave, for which the trail got its name, but I didn't think that the pictures of it were very interesting).

Another beautiful part of Bryce Canyon

Then we drove to the main canyon again:

The view never got old.

Hiking Red Canyon wasn't on our original itinerary, but after driving through it, we were anxious to explore further. It ended up being one of our favorite hikes of the trip because of the amazing views of the red hoodoos and arches.  Also because there was NO ONE else on the trail the entire time we were hiking (the National Parks can get really busy). The kids had freedom to explore and we didn't have to nag them to stay on the trail all the time. It was during this hike that Josh told us, "Don't worry, I'm like a mountain goat," in reference to his hiking skills.  That was one of our favorite phrases of the whole trip and was repeated often.

A close-up of some the rock layers.

Jeff and Diane were up for any crazy hike that we suggested.

I was the first to find and hike up to this arch; I was so proud of myself.

View inside of the arch.

Ben and the kids climbed up across from me.

Jeff (find him going through a slit in the rocks) went on exploring the trail.

Ben and the boys in the arch.

How cool is this wood? Twisted trees were all over the trail.

Hoodoos and arches

Sammy and Seth in the same arch

All the boys checking out the view

This shows you a perspective of how tall all the hoodoos are

Jeff and Diane in an arch.

Our family in the same arch, different side. 

*This trail was aptly called, "Arches" trailhead in Red Canyon; we had to drive for a bit on a dirt road, but it really wasn't bad. Another fun fact, the same road leads to "Butch Cassidy Draw" where the famous outlaw and his gang had a hideout cabin.