Today an early start to get away from Las Vegas. We want to reach
the North Rim of the Grand Canyon today, and we select a route that
takes us through the Zion National Park (in Utah).
After leaving Las Vegas, the first 100 kilometers took us through
a rather boring desert landscape. But then then landscape abruptly changed
and became more interesting with colorful hills.
The ever changing landscapes on our way towards the Zion National
Park.
The road through Zion Nation Park is beautiful. Far away we see a
kind of rock bridge.
Rocks in Zion National Park have all kinds of colors. These rocks
have a reddish color and look like pieces of modern art.
Continuing through the park we get near this enormous bridge of rock.
We don't know yet that an hour later we will be standing on top of it.
Enjoying the beautiful views in Zion National Park.
Suddenly the road went through a mile long tunnel. At the end of
the tunnel we found a parking place which marked the start of a hiking
trail.
Hiking up the trail we passed under this pink rock which formed a
roof over the trail.
The trail followed this canyon of pink and white rocks decorated
with trees.
The trail in many places is quite narrow, with a rock wall on one
side and a steep drop at the other side. Not suitable if you have acrophobia.
Views into the deep canyon along the trail.
Another cave like spot along the trail. Watch your head.
Zion National Park has many of these picturesque rock formations.
The trail ended on top of the rock bridge which we had admired earlier
from a distance. We now look back on the road we followed an hour ago.
Zion National Park offers thousand of photo opportunities.
Another special rock in Zion National Park. This one is called the
checkerboard rock, because of the pattern of squares on its surface.
Leaving the Zion National Park we continued our road toward Grand
Canyon. Here we had stopped at a small museum in a cave, which had a
display of axes and other tools used by Indians. It also had a collection
of dinosaur footprints.
A panoramic view on our way to the Grand Canyon.
We are now approaching the north rim of the Grand Canyon (in Arizona)
as we pass through this forest which has suffered from fires. It is
getting late and we have to hurry to reach Grand Canyon before the sun
goes down.
On the way to the North Rim we see cows and several groups of deer
grazing near the road.
We arrive at the Grand Canyon north rim at the exact moment when
the sun is sinking below the horizon. Just in time to enjoy this beautiful
moment.
The sun has disappeared but we still have enough light to see the
canyon in all its greatness. What a fantastic place this is.
Looking down we see this rock sticking out into the canyon, a perfect
place.
The light is fading and it is quickly getting colder. The end of
a perfect day.
We will never forget this sunset.
Awed by our first sightings of the Grand Canyon we return to spend
the night in a hotel in Jacob Lake, about 65 km away. All lodgings near
the rim were fully booked. We will rise early tomorrow morning because
after this sunset we also want to see the sunrise. Goto
Day 12.
