GTV First Loop: Zion

We were torn between trying to organize a trip up the Narrows and going for a longer hike. We settled on Observation Point, near the head of the canyon.

We were making quick work of the hikes at this point on the trip.

Angel's Landing:

The trail back down into the canyon.

With plenty of day left, we detoured into Hidden Canyon on the way back

Cool arch

A lot of these trails had consequences for missteps, so chain railings were common.

And then another side trip to the Weeping Wall

We decided to take a break from cooking and to get some laundry done, and headed just outside the park to Springdale. We had dinner, twice (pizza and then TexMex), and watched the Sox take game 1 of the World Series over the Cardinals.

GTV First Loop: Bryce to Zion

We wanted an early start the next morning, so why not start with sunrise?

In the words of the couple standing next to us, incroyable.

Zion was a pretty quick two hour drive.

Our crowd-avoidance sense heightened after so many national parks, we walked right by Angel's Landing to find a lunch spot.

Back on track, we tackled the chain path towards the summit

A bit crowded, but the trail was novel and the view pretty fine.

Back to our South Campground for a couple of nights, at a little spot on the North Fork of the Virgin River. Pays to get moving early sometimes.

GTV First Loop: Bryce Canyon

We started the day by stashing a bike at Sunset Point, then taking the GTV down to the start of the Fairyland Trail, where Flynn guarded it in a shady spot (sorry buddy).

Fairlyand Trail, about an eight-mile loop.

Tower Bridge.

Too pretty to stop -- we decided to add a second loop into the canyon on the Navajo Trail.

Old school National Park engineering.

Mistakes were made.

And back to Sunset Point, a quick bike ride to our dog and our van, with enough daylight left to explore the rest of the park's many drive-up vistas.

Back to the Amphitheater for sunset.