Bryce Canyon National Park Off The Beaten Path

Located 65 miles west of Bryce Canyon on Scenic Byway 12 is Calf Creek Recreation Area. The drive alone is worth the trip as you will pass some spectacular scenery along the way.

However, once at Calf Creek, you can take a 6 mile return hike to a secret waterfall that descends 120 feet into a tree lined grotto.

there is also a small campground here.

The temperature is 12 degrees and that's without factoring in the wind that rips across the canyon, stinging my eyes and cheeks as I struggle for a few feet along the Rim. All thoughts of hiking the Fairyland Trail are gone as it is buried in the white powder that covers the bench, walkways and nearly all of Bryce Canyon. When the wind dies down, silence envelops the scene and its a moment of peaceful reflection.

Who am I kidding? Its 12 degrees out and I'm not about to sit on a block of ice and reflect. That's an activity reserved for the summertime. But its nice to know my spot is still there.

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This park is nearly as impressive as Bryce; well getting close in some regards. I hiked on the trails here, and some were moderate, to getting a bit difficult. The park is located on Hwy 12, and 9 miles west of the turnoff to Bryce at Hwy 63. It has red rock, hoodoo's, arches and quite solitude in the woods. They have 14 trails to hike, and 7 of those also can be used for ATV's and horses. I liked the park atmosphere and the fact that less people come here to enjoy it.

This first hike is 3/4 miles and up 300 feet ascent. The hike is a loop back to the parking area, and you walk through one large arch to go behind the ones you just saw in front. There are 15 arches in the area along the hike. Location is about one mile west of the visitor center, and turn right going west unto Casto Canyon Rd. Park and hike in where shown.

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The Bryce and Red Canyon parks are surrounded by the National Forest Service Park territory. The forest areas actually cover many different sections in Utah from the west edge to the east. It has 2 million acre area and stretches 170 miles. Elevation range is 3,000 to 13,000 feet. A large number of people come here to camp in the woods. At REd Canyon, there is a campground that would hold about 150 campers in two sections.

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There are 3 combined trails that connect behind the visitor center. Overall the hike is 2 1/2 miles round trip. The hike is worth it in that it takes you right up close to the red hoodoo's and through some even. The hike is designated moderate, and elevation change may be200-300 feet at one point, and some rock climbing. That is the fun part.

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This is called the Golden Wall because you literally climb a narrow stretch; like as in a wall to get to the top of the rock walls. The hike is rated moderate to strenuous, and it is 3 miles in length. It was around 400 feet ascent, and the trail had loose gravel/stones to watch you footing. You start up the trail behind CAmpground #23 on the south side of Hwy 12. Climb up the hill, and take about 10 switchbacks to get to the plateau. Then go on toward the narrow path heading to the end. Return the same way you went up. The vertigo got to me a bit going over the path on the ridge

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Most people know them simply as Christmas Trees but the Douglas Fir does exist outside the world of such customs. I must admit I never thought of such trees in what otherwise seems like a desert but at this high elevation it appears they grow quite well. They adapt well by self-pruning the lower part of the trunk if there is not enough sunlight. You will see some in Bryce where only the top looks like a the tree you know and another two thirds of the trunk look like a telephone pole! This one is obviously getting plenty of sun and looks more typical.

The pronghorn is often mistaken for an antelope but is in its own family. Though the second fastest mammal in the world after the cheetah, the sure footed and sturdily built speedster actually sustains fast speeds for longer lengths of time. Their horns are particularly interesting with both males and females having the forward “pronged” racks. Males use them fiercely to guard their female harems during the mating season. We saw our first ones at Bryce but enjoyed seeing them around many of the Utah parks.