BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK (Day 20 - part 1)
At around 1 am, I added another layer of clothes, but for the most part I was warm enough. It was quiet all night, just minimal camping noises. The birds were up early, as were many people.
A sign posted in the campground
I set out early to do a big hike. On the way, I stopped by the prairie dog colony. The little critters were out and about, eating and socializing.
The relatively rare Utah Prairie Dog
Good morning! A bark can communicate a lot of information about an approaching predator, such as what type of animal it is and the direction it is coming from. The bark we normally hear as a human is VERY different when they bark to warn of a hawk!
I arrived at Sunset Point at 8 am. The parking lot was still mostly empty, as were the trails for the most part. My plan was to head down the left side of Navajo Loop Trail, around Peekaboo Loop, then back out the canyon the same way.
Descending Navajo Loop Trail
The glow of the early morning light
To the left is a formation known as Thor's Hammer.
The switchbacks down to the valley floor
A gorgeous day!
Two Bridges again
I then cut across to Peekaboo Loop Trail. There was a wide variety of flowers.
Blue Flax (also Lewis or prairie flax) is a native flower that can grow anywhere from sea level up to almost 10,000 feet in some places!
King's flax
Native Americans used the roots of Many-flowered Stoneseed to make a purple dye for clothing and feathers.
Wyoming or Narrow-leaved Indian Paintbrush is a semi-parasitic plant that uses its roots to penetrate and secure nutrients and water from other plants.
This is a species of Twinpod (possibly Chambers' Twinpod). The yellow flowers have been pollinated and are now in the process of turning into double-sectioned (or 'twin pod') fruits.
I left the fertile valley floor and ascended slowly into the realms of twisted and sculpted rocks.
A furtive ground squirrel
I had yet to encounter another hiker but I had been passed by several groups of horseback tours led by cowboy-looking dudes. One of them asked "Not lost, are ya?" I guess they don't normally see 'walkers' out this far, this early.
Looks like he hasn't had his morning coffee yet
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