Kodachrome Basin and Bryce Canyon

A- Salt Lake City  B- Palisade State Park  C- Capitol Reef National Park  D- Kodachrome Basin National Park

Monday, September 1st, 2014 – Day 94

Norm had a decision to make.  Which road to take from here to Kodachrome Basin State Park 20 miles from Bryce Canyon?  Either the VERY mountainous Scenic Byway 12- which, by the way, is said to be the most beautiful drive in the country, (and that the drive itself is called an “adventure” in a car, not a motorhome) or the interstate which is longer but the grades are easier.

 14 percent grade in an RV can be an adventure!

Well, if you know Norm, it truly wasn't much of a brainer.The shorter, more scenic route of course!  He did not share my concerns about the mechanical capability of the motorhome. (I must admit I do worry about breaking down on a steep narrow road with no place to pull over ).

We headed up and over the mountain without a glitch!  The engine, in fact, was remarkably quiet, and the views were not at all disappointing!  Ahhh…. The little engine that could!  (Actually, it is the biggest engine Chevy made with a stupendous Alison 6 speed transmission.)

This road is an engineering feat that is 124 miles long and travels through some of the most diverse, remote and ruggedly beautiful landscapes in America.  We have not seen all, nor close to most of this country, but this was one incredible road!

We climbed, then descended down into the remains of ancient sea beds, and climbed again to one of the world’s highest alpine forests!  At the peak of Boulder Mountain we stopped and looked out over open sagebush flats leading to pink and russet turrets.  Our motorhome worked like a champ!  It climbed to 9640 feet and down again with the aplomb of a turbo diesel!

I can't take the credit for this photo of "The Hogback" on Scenic Byway 12. "Borrowed " from the internet.

At one point, we marveled over the internationally famous stretch of byway called “The Hogback”.  Here, the asphalt clings to a thin, razorback ridge of slick rock as the terrain terrifyingly drops to deep canyons and winding creeks on either side of us!  Since everyone was driving very slowly and carefully, it really wasn’t so frightening (unless you are terrified of heights or don’t have confidence in your driver).

As we turned off the road leading to the very popular Bryce Canyon, we drove about 10 miles east through the desert to a lesser known, gem called Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Very interesting road to Kodachrome State Park

This incredibly beautiful, full service campground is nestled among the sandstone spires and red-clay cliffs.  Our pull- through campsite was huge!  A large stone pad, graced by a lovely aluminum picnic table and fire pit. A few cedar trees afforded privacy if perhaps you needed any, but during our stay there was hardly a camper in sight!

Sandpipe in Kodachrome State Park

This State Park is called a photographer’s delight, because of the sandstone chimneys and unique petrified springs that created what are called “sand pipes”.  It was the contrasts of color in the landscape against the deep blue sky that prompted the National Geologic Society in 1949 to get consent with Kodak Film Corp. to name the park after its iconic film.  Kodochrome was designated a state park in 1963.

There are nearly 70 spires in the park ranging in height from 6 to 170 feet tall.  Their lives began 180 million years ago.  Another notable feature in the park is the 67 large columns of sedimentary rock that rise from the ground.  No one knows how they were formed, but there are several theories.
After setting camp we jumped into the car and headed to the visitor’s center at Bryce Canyon, which was about a 40 minute drive.

Lovely old home found alone a deserted stretch of road

We spoke with yet another Park Ranger and got the much needed maps and the details of the sights, scenic drives and overlooks within the park.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014 – Day 95

Today we tour Bryce Canyon National Park!  Which, by the way, we learned is not really a “canyon” at all, but a spectacular collection of horseshoe shaped amphitheaters  carved from the Paunsaugnt Plateau due to erosion, not carved by water which I understand designates  a“ canyon “.

What makes Bryce special are its world famous concentration of colorful odd-shaped pinnacles and spires called “Hoodoos”.  These are formed primarily due to the freezing and thawing cycles within the fractures in the rock.

We had hiked down among the bases of these "Hoodoos".

Kindred spirits....

Because of the heat and the sun beating down into these “canyons”, we decided we better get out there very early.  We decided on the hike that would take us down (way down) into the base of the hoodoo’s around and back up (way up) to the top so we could look back down into them.  We were promised that the rising sun would cast a wonderful glow on the walls.

It was positively amazing hiking amongst this beauty in the early morning light

It was a lovely hike, down into the Bryce Amphitheater, although I found carrying a lot of water and extraneous stuff in my backpack made it quite heavy, therefore a little rough on my knee descending such a long, steep grade.  Going back up was tiring, but fine. Norm and I found it very interesting that the other early morning hikers all seem European.  I guess most Americans like to sleep in.

One of the many fabulous views from the various lookouts

Some people like to see the sights with a little less effort.....

After taking more than a hundred photos between us, we then headed to the car to proceed along the 18 mile scenic drive to take advantage of the 14 different viewpoints within the park.  We jumped out of the car every few miles to take more photos;  often walking a bit to a lookout, then scouting for just a little shade to have lunch.

These rock formations are called "Grottos".

After having our fill of Bryce Canyon National Park the next challenge was to find internet service, which we finally found in Red Lodge’s lobby.

After a lovely but tiring day, we headed back to Kodachrome Basin to the RV to have dinner and enjoy one of the only campfires we have had on this trip. (Generally not allowed in the RV campsites we are discovering).

Wednesday, Sept 3rd, 2014 – Day 96

We wanted to see what Kodachrome was like, and the only way we feel to do it is get dirt under your feet, (and prickly things into your socks).

We trudged along the basin floor choosing a 3 mile trail consisting mostly of red, fine sand that was lovely to look at, but this hot 3-6 inch deep surface was not an ideal medium to walk in!  We checked out the unique sedimentary pipe formations in the early morning light.

I wonder how these handprints were put on this side of this
rock?  We heard in the rain the sandstone walls get soft.

After our refreshing showers I took off to find internet and phone service about 20 miles away, while Norm stayed to relax so he could do another hike later (I can’t believe he can take the sun ) to see more of the park.

 We are having problems back at home with the landscapers not doing their job, everything is disgustingly overgrown ( my landscaper promised to get it done 3 weeks ago ) and an a report of a “geyser” shooting from our roof, a kind neighbor called me about!

 Thank goodness I discovered after a few calls it was merely from a sprinkler head.  I was able to arrange for it to be serviced.  I am afraid we overstayed our vacation.  Contractors are taking advantage of our absence.  I can’t tell you how much I hate being this unreachable during emergencies when many calls need to be made and received!

Norm took this picture from the highest point in his hike.  You can see the trail in the center of this picture.

Another view of a trail here in Kodachrome.

About 5pm, Norm took off to explore.  It was 97 degrees, so I knew it was much too hot for me to join him.  Trudging through that sand was not my idea of fun, plus I was too upset about the problems back home to have enjoyed it.

 Norm detailed where he was going, and what time to expect his return.

Rock formations in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
Isn't this Bob Hope?

Norm got back just a little after I was starting to get concerned excited about his hike which turned out to be much more strenuous, and therefore rewarding, then he had understood it to be.

Thank goodness I didn't know just how tough that hike was- I would have really worried about him out there with absolutely no one around in this heat!  He’s no spring chicken, but obviously in pretty good shape.

Some Mom's are very strict with their Potty Training!
It's not everyday you see this in a wooded Rest Stop!  How cute!