Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon, Utah State Park
The sandstone in Snow Canyon reigns in colors from red to white. The interplay of light, shadow and color, dancing across canyon walls was truly a sight to see. The thing that set this canyon apart was the black rock which was formed from volcanic action. Since the location of this canyon allowed easy access, Hollywood films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the Electric Horseman and Jeremy Johnson were actually filmed here.

Kolob Canyons 5/19 - 5/26

Kolob Canyons
Kolob Canyons is part of Zion National Park. It becomes obvious, traveling in this area, that there are many canyons to view. We were able to hike to Timber Creek Overlook which is above the canyon and it gave us a beautiful view of Timber Creek and the canyon below. Even though the snow had recently left this area, the wild flowers were in full bloom. You could see the ones that had gotten bitten by frost as they had bloomed early on.

Zion 5/19 - 5/26

Zion National Park
The Virgin River is what cut through this area forming the Zion Canyon. The sandstone throughout the canyon is mainly red from the iron oxide. The white from calcium on the mountains is also very obvious. The black in the canyon is either from the water or from the growth on the rock itself. The movement of the sand dunes is obvious in the Navajo sandstone by the sweeping lines of contracting colors on the mountains. The eastside of Zion has a checkerboard effect which is different from the main canyon. We were able to take advantage of a number of hikes and Sue got up to about 6500 feet before she quit hiking. The park runs a shuttle bus making numerous stops at various sights which was a nice way to travel through this landmark. After visiting a number of national parks it has known to us that there are many geological contrasts which have created diversity in the land of this great country of ours. When you go from the south entrance to the east entrance of the park you pass through a one mile tunnel that was built in the 1930’s. They cut open ventilation spaces in the side of the mountain so that there would be fresh air in this very dark tunnel.

Yosemite 5/5 -5/18

Yosemite National Park

We started our visit with a 6 plus mile hike through Mariposa Grove where the Sequoia trees flourish. It became obvious that May was a good month to visit this park since the snow melt had filled all of the rivers and the spring flowers and trees were in bloom, especially the Dogwood. The hiking was good as the temperatures in the beginning of our visit were cool. Bridalveil Falls, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls and Yosemite Falls were all a site to see. They were so full that the water’s mist got us wet and produced lovely rainbows. The granite faces of El Capitan and Half Dome were outstanding to see as well. Sue definitely fell in love with Yosemite. Since there was snow packed in the mountains, Tioga Road (Route 120) was still closed. That will have to wait for another visit. The views from Glacier Point included the valley and that of the high Sierras. Bob hiked over the snow pack to 8,100 feet on to the Sentinental Dome. The views were outstanding and the photo included is that of the Half Dome from this elevation. Seeing the granite here brought our thoughts back to the granite in Vermont

Suzanne

Sequoia Black Bear

Sequoia

Sequoia NP

Sequoia National Park
Earth’s largest tree, the sequoia, is only found in 75 groves growing on the moist, unglaciated ridges on the Sierras’ west slope between 5,000’ and 7,000’ of elevation.
Facts on the Sequoia Tree: height to 311’, age to 3,200 years, weight to 2.7 million pounds, bark to 31 inches thick, branches to 8 feet in diameter, base to 40 feet in diameter, reproduce by seedlings only, seed size small like oat flakes and cones the size of chicken eggs. It is hard to describe in words how massive these trees actually are. When you compare it to the redwood tree, found on the coast, it is easier to visualize what it actually looks like in reference to the great mass of the sequoia tree.
Facts on the Redwood Tree: Height to 367.8’, age to 2,000 years, weight to 1.6 million pounds, bark to 12 inches thick, branches to 5’ in diameter, base to 22’ in diameter, reproduce by seed or sprout and seed size is like that of a tomato, cone size like a large olive. The sequoias weigh more than a million pounds and are shorter than the redwoods. Walking through the groves of Sequoia is breathtaking. Sequoias do not die of old age and are resistant to both fire and insect damage. Most die of falling over when the environmental changes are such that the root system no longer can support the massive tree itself. The root system is only 3 feet deep in the sequoia tree. While walking in the area referred to as the Giant Forest, there is a meadow where were able to see 2 black bears who were eating some vegetation. We observed many coyotes walking freely while in the park.

Kings Canyon Roaring River Falls

Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon
This massive canyon of granite walls gives one a wonderful perspective and profile of the High Sierras. We started in the Foothills at about an elevation of 1,000’ and the road peaked at about 10,000’. It is spring with the high elevations still covered in snow and the lower elevations are blooming with spring flowers and groves. The rivers are full and it was obvious when we saw roaring river falls that the swift cold waters are traitorous this time of year. I do give credit to the hikers who venture up into the high Sierras. While we were visiting there a hiker became lost in the park. The Park Services definitely have an emergency plan in place and this happens more than we like to think. It took them over a day to locate the hiker and due to the night fall were uncertain as to when they would be able to bring him in. We have seen a good number of canyons in our travels but Sue was really impressed with the granite walls and rock formations in Kings Canyon.

Lake Mead NRA

Lake Mead
As you see in the photo, Lake Mead is breathtaking to see. We camped with excellent views of the surrounding mountains and the lake. After spending over 3 months in the desert we gained a better real appreciation for drinking water. There are 2 things that we are certain in knowing about the desert: (1) there are no bugs and (2) the wind blows often and is very strong at times. I am not sure that we could ever get adjusted to the dryness of the desert.

LasVegas

LasVegas
One day in LasVegas was enough for us. The strip is busy but if you are not into gambling, drinking, prostitution or attending shows, there is really little to do. They did try to make a family theme on the strip but it did not work. The Old Vegas, which is downtown, is what Bob remembered from 38 years ago. We see why people fly into Vegas for a few days to do a little gambling, take in a show or two and visit the Hoover Dam and then leave. The locals that we met indicated that LasVegas has gone down hill over the years.