BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK – MOZQUITO CREEK – ZION NATIONAL PARK

After tearing up the backroads in Capitol Reef National park I ended up in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce is a wonderful and beautiful place!I hiked a shorter trail called Queens Garden Trail. And it was majestic as Royals! This small park is often overlooked, but if you are in the area, don’t miss out on this jewel!

From Bryce I continued in previous manner, finding a National Forest to camp in and dirt backroads to drive on *smile*.

After coming up the backroad to Zion National Park, I crossed right through it (Coz it was WAY too hot to stop and too crowded). I did stop at the info-centre and got some ideas of where to go the day after. I was heading to the famous Narrows of Zion National Park!

After spending the night at Mozquito Creek Campgrounds 20min down the road from the gates to Zion, I parked at the info-centre and took the complimentary bus up to the Temple of Sinawawa where the Narrows starts.

I started my hike around 8am and was back at Temple of Sinawawa around noon to take the bus back down. This is a strong recommendation that from me to do, go up early and head in, so you don’t need to fight the heat while you are canyoneering.

The Narrows are a slit-canyon and you are hiking on the riverbed. At the deepest, when I was there, it was just up to my groin, but most of the time just below the knees.

It was a magical feeling of being in there, you feel so small and helpless, yet part of nature in a wierd way…

For avid hikers, this is a MUST DO and don’t forget your cameras!!

YouTube clips from this part of the trip includes:

Capitol Reef National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQflwESnOQ

Escalante, UT:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=bL5uNzC1wP4

4wheeling outside Escalante, UT – Looking for a slit canyon:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=PGWxnC2CMMU

Entering Bryce Canyon National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=t2W9hdBR9z8

Bryce Canyon National Park – Queens Garden Trail:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=YlqFKIo_avI

Dixie National Forest – Camping:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=jpwqnPe7eng

Let’s go to Zion National Park!

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=nblr7GJVc4M

Welcome to Zion National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ed2bhm6u3mA

Passing 4500km outsiden Zion National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=17YPLdwQykI

Morning intro to the Narrows in Zion National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=JRwD_oxe65k

Gear talk before the Narrows in Zion National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=4ku_OxLcHBE

Stefan meeting a DEER in the Narrows in Zion National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Da4tsX5npF8

Flash flood dangers in Canyons like the Narrows in Zion National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=4wutoMye3gw

Stefan crossing the river in the Narrows of Zion National Park:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wGZMxfOJhmM

What to wear while canyoneering:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk5bbQJC_EY

Picture Galleries from this part of the trip includes:

Bryce Canyon National Park:

http://www.s-mart.se/blogs/mypictures/?album=080921BryceCanyon

Mozquito Creek Campgrounds:

http://www.s-mart.se/blogs/mypictures/?album=080922MozquitoCreekCampground

Zion National Park:

http://www.s-mart.se/blogs/mypictures/?album=080923ZionNationalPark