Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon are each located in southwest Utah along U.S. Scenic Highway 12 about 50 miles northeast of Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon isn’t actually a canyon, but a series of giant natural amphitheaters filled with the world’s largest collection of “hoodoos” (irregular spires of rock), geological features also seen in smaller numbers in Red Rock Canyon. Dave and Jan chose to set up camp at Red Rock Canyon Campground, a Forest Service campground near Hatch, Utah.

In the morning, following breakfast and devotions, Dave rode his mountain bike up the six-mile ascent of the Canyon 2 Canyon trail to the Paunsaugunt Plateau portion of the trail.

The plateau portion of the trail then continues for fourteen miles to where the trail enters Bryce Canyon City.

At Bryce Canyon City the trail switches to the Bryce Canyon Multi-Use trail which travels for miles through the park.

Dave rode as far as the Bryce Canyon Visitors Center where Jan met him with the car and the bike was loaded on the bike rack so he and Jan could enjoy a picnic lunch, then hike along the rim trail for a view into the amphitheaters of the park which are filled with so many “hoodoos.”

Back at their camp in Red Canyon, after dinner, Dave and Jan explored the nearby Butch Cassidy Draw for an evening walk.

Though camping outings have been somewhat curtailed this year because of some back and sciatic pains Jan has endured, it is always a happy experience to get back out to explore the amazing scenic beauty which we recognize that the Lord has created in such abundance for our enjoyment in Southwest Utah.