Hiking in colorful and awe-inspiring Southwest Utah is an experience that has to be seen and savored to be believed. On our hikes we explored the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument which also borders Capitol Reef National Park, then traveled south to Bryce National Park. We even squeezed in a little Utah horseback riding on the side!
Utah is a land of enchantment with spires, hoodoos, red rock and slot canyons, high plateaus, and exhilarating hikes and views. A hiking trip in Utah is packed with some of the most phenomenal scenery on earth. See for yourself in this photo album from our 2014 hiking trip in Utah “The Best Hiking in Southwest Utah: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon“, what hiking in Utah’s red rock country is all about!
And if you missed this one, join us in 2015 on the eastern side of spectacular Southeast Utah, for hiking in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, Utah and rafting Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River!
[Click on each photograph to see them full frame and/or to download]
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- On our drive from Salt Lake City to Boulder, Utah, the spectacular fall colors were in full regalia!
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- Stopping along Utah roadside viewpoints, the scenery just kept getting better and better.
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- The base for our first four days and nights in Utah was Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch, where we had exclusive use of all cabins and lodge rooms.
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- We begin our first hike to Calf Creek Falls, an enchanting trail in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument area.
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- Judy, Sue, and Harlene stop to pose in a “window” along our hiking trail.
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- Fremont and Anasazi Indians once inhabited this Utah canyon about 900-1200 years ago.
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- Walking between mineral-streaked cliffs of Navajo Sandstone, we pass beaver ponds and prehistoric rock art sites en route to the paradisaical pools.
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- The predominant geologic formation in this area in Utah is the cliff-forming Navajo sandstone.
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- As you look at the canyon walls, you can see the typical cream to red-colored sandstone layers formed millions of years ago by ancient sand dunes.
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- A group photo of AdventureWomen in front of the crystal clear waters of Calf Creek Falls, which take a 130′ plunge over a sandstone cliff into a transparent pool of cool water.
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- Most of the hiking trails in Utah are sandy, and the views are outstanding.
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- Fall colors in the canyon and moderate October temperatures make for perfect Utah hiking.
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- Situated between Capitol Reef National Park and the Escalante River, Wolverine Canyon was a beautiful hike.
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- Many slot canyons on the Wolverine hike made for fun and interesting photos. Susan squeezes into one of them.
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- Hiking Wolverine Trail offers scenic views, just perfect for aspiring photographers.
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- The Wolverine Petrified Natural area has ten to twenty foot petrified logs lying around on the ground in numerous spots.
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- Colorful rabbit brush…
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- …and Indian Paintbrush along the hiking trail.
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- Hike to Phipps Arch, Utah in a small but beautiful Escalante Canyon. The trail leads very steeply across slickrock downward, into the Phipps Wash.
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- Before our hike we stop to see the 100 hands pictograph panel on a remote trail high above the Escalante River.
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- Hike to Phipps Arch, off the Burr Trail in the Escalante wilderness.
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- Back at the ranch, there was time for horseback riding too. Here’s Cindy getting saddled up.
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- Linda is ready to ride!
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- Our wrangler’s daughter, the littlest cowgirl, getting her horse ready to ride with us!
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- Linda and Carol begin their fall color ride.
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- Shirley gets ready to ride.
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- Mona is ready too!
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- On our way from Boulder, Utah, to Bryce Canyon, we stop for a gorgeous hike in Willis Creek Canyon. Our guide, Leslie, gives us a briefing.
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- Posing for a group photo at the mouth of Willis Creek.
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- In the soft morning light, the canyon shows off its beautiful colors.
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- Janet and Linda enjoying the hike.
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- Carol finds a fantastic rock to climb.
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- In Willis Creek Slot Canyon, you see first hand how this small creek created a stunning geologic dreamland.
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- Cathy takes photos in this geologic wonderland.
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- Willis Creek Slot Canyon
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- Harlene and Wendy in Willis Creek Canyon
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- Of all the slot canyons in the Southwest, it is said that Willis Creek, by far, gives you the most bang for your buck! Amazingly beautiful.
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- On to Bryce Canyon, we arrive in the late afternoon, to enjoy the sunset. The first sight of the canyon is breathtaking.
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- AdventureWomen on the rim of Bryce (left to right): Sue, Judy, Harlene, Leslie, Linda, and Norma.
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- Gorgeous colors as the sun sets on Bryce Canyon.
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- We stayed in the historic, beautiful and newly renovated Western Cabins on the rim of Bryce Canyon.
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- The next morning we awoke to view sunrise from the rim of Bryce Canyon.
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- After breakfast we began our morning hike into Bryce Canyon, hiking the Queens Garden Navaho Loop Trail.
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- Stopping for an informative talk by Leslie, our AdventureWomen guide.
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- Friends Janet and Cathy, who met on a previous AdventureWomen trip.
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- Harlene and Liz enjoying the hike down.
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- Mona and Alice walking among the hoodoos.
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- Mona composes her photograph.
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- Leslie stops to show us on a map where we are, and where we’re going.
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- The perfect “frame” for the perfect AdventureWomen group shot.
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- Can you beat this kind of scenery for a hike into Bryce Canyon! Its towering pinnacles, fins and mazes – a place of intricate beauty.
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- Our bootprints.
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- As Ebenezer Bryce, an early settler of the area put it, “the canyon is one hell of a place to lose a cow.”
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- Norma composes her shot.
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- On our hike out of Bryce Canyon, you can’t dispute that it is one of the West’s most vivid landscapes.
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- A final, and fitting, group shot on the rim of Bryce Canyon, as we complete our week of hiking in awe-inspiring Southwestern Utah.
