The Mighty Five is home to Utah's five incredible parks. We already shared Arches and Canyonlands and this about the remaining three. The five parks were established between 1919 and 1971. The parks are famous for their spectacular red-rock formations, desert solitude, and more than 1,000 miles of hiking.
On September 12th we arrived in Monticello, Utah.
We had a room at the Atomic Blue Motor Inn just for a night. This place was our cheapest place to stay out of all the hotels and motels we have been in, even cheaper than the seedy hotel in Virginia Minnesota. We would have stayed longer but there was nothing here.
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| Tissue box was retro! |
We went to dinner at Ja-Roen Thai Sushi Restaurant. When we first went in there were 2 other people and no one greeted us, so we left, then decided to give it a go since there wasn't much to choose from. They did not serve alcohol (the server said, "Well... this is Utah."), which was not a big deal. Our food was delivered like take out. The place was packed by the time we left.
The food was very good.
The next morning we headed to Torrey, Utah. The drive was absolutely amazing. Part of the drive took us through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, another National Park we can check off. To our right we had the back of Canyonlands National Park.
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| Open range cattle. We did not see any. |
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| Dirty Devil River |
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| Potty Break |
More scenic photos 📸:
We planned ahead and stopped at the Capitol Reef Visitor's Center for our recommendations and map. This allowed us to have a full day of exploring the park in the morning.
Our lodging for the next 2 nights was at the Chuck Wagon Lodge in Torrey.
Torrey was settled in 1898 and it's elevation is 6,837 feet (yes still having issues). The Torrey Log Church and Schoolhouse was completed in 1898. It was the first church and school in the pioneer community. This building is one of a dozen remaining Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting houses built within the initial settlement. It is the only meeting house still standing in the State.
Dinner was at Chak Balam Mexican Restaurant
Time for Sunset. We drove to Panorama Point and then up to the Sunset Point Trail. We hiked the 1/3 mile to watch the sunset. It's beautiful to watch the evening light infuse the redrock with a fiery glow.
We also checked out Goosenecks Point while we were in the area.
On September 14th, we officially entered Capitol Reef National Park. We made our way to the Capitol Dome. Capitol Reef became a national monument in 1937 and a national park in 1971.
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| This little guy was chasing me |
We did the scenic drive to the end.
At the end of the scenic drive was the Pleasant Creek Road. Not really a road and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Of course we took it.
Our next stop was for the Freemont River Trail, 1.3 mile trail with an elevation of 5,350 feet at the start and 6,120 feet at the top. The entrance for the trail had a bobcat warning ⚠️ posted and I swear the fence was barely wide enough for us to fit through.
The trail begins as an easy stroll along the brushy riverbank, then it begins the strenuous ascent. Here is just the beginning of the climb.
I finally found a rock chair and told Rob to go on.
I finally made it to the top and found Rob just sitting there waiting for me to arrive. The view was well worth the hike.
We did not see the bobcat, but we did find deer when we arrived back at the beginning.
On September 15th, we had a short ride from Torrey to Bryce Canyon City. We arrived too early to check into our hotel, so we headed straight for Bryce Canyon National Park Visitors Center. Bryce Canyon is home to the largest collection of hoodoos (irregularly-eroded rock spires) in the world.
We talked to Ranger Paula, who provided us with great recommendations on seeing the park over the next 2 days. We decided to take the short hike between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. Well, we parked in the overflow parking lot for shuttle riders, except we weren't taking the shuttle. Our short little hike took over a mile to get to. As you know I'm already having issues breathing and the height of this park is the highest we've been to.
We made it to Sunrise Point, which was uphill. I really think he is paying me back for all the height attractions.
Paiute Indians inhabited the region for hundreds of years before the arrival of European Americans. They believe the hoodoos are ancient "Legend People" turned into stone by Coyote as a punishment for bad deeds.
Another quarter mile to Sunset Point. It was well worth the hike, but now we have to go back. An easy short 1.0 mile hike from Sunrise to Sunset Point turned into over a 2 mile hike.
We checked in to the Best Western Plus Ruby Inn. Ruby's Inn has been lodging tourists since 1916, it started with tent shelters. There are several lodge buildings and I think ours is the furthest away from the main building, which has the pool, restaurant, and general store. Our room is just like any other hotel room, the plus on this room is the double sinks.
For dinner we chose the restaurant on site, which is a buffet, but you can also order off a menu. We both chose the soup and salad bar, there was chili, and 3 different soups, a good selection for the salad 🥗 fixings.
Our morning started with our free breakfast at the restaurant 😋, a little more to choose from than the chain hotels.
We took the scenic drive 18 miles to our first stop of the day at Rainbow 🌈 Point, elevation 9,115 feet.
Our first hike was Bristlecone Loop a 1 mile loop with a short detour to view Yovimpa Point.
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| Youvimpa Point |
I believe we stopped at every overlook, our first was Black Birch Canyon, elevation 8,750 feet.
Inspiration Point, elevation 8,100 feet. At Inspiration Point there are 3 overlooks, each higher than the next.
Bryce Canyon described by an elderly Paiute named Indian Dick:
"Before there were any Indians, the Legend People lived in this place. They were of many kinds- birds, animals, lizards, and such things-but they had the power to make themselves look like people. For some reason, the Legend People were bad, so Coyote turned them all into rocks. You can see them in that place now, all turned into rocks; some standingvin rows, some sitting down, some holding onto others. You can see their faces with paint on them just as they were before they became rocks 🪨🪨."
From Inspiration Point we took the Rim Trail 👣 to Bryce Point 1.3 miles.
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| The circle area is where we are headed. |
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| This is where the overlooks where. |
Bryce Point, elevation 8,296 feet.
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| I made it 🙌 |
The hike just about did me in, we could ride the shuttle back to our vehicle, but suck it up butter cup and walk 🚶♂️ 🚶♀️the 1.3 miles back. This small ledge was Rob's favorite part of the trail.
I showed all the elevations as it has definitely affected my breathing.
We went back to Sunset Point for Sunset 🌇. We arrived a little late to really seen the sun reflect off the rocks, but it was still gorgeous.
On our way out of the park we saw 👀 some deer 🦌, they stopped traffic, you know how much Rob loved that.
Today Saturday September 17th, we started our morning off, again with our free breakfast. We headed to the park and had to wait in line to show our pass. We headed straight for Sunrise Point, our hike today was the Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop. A 2.9 mile hike with a 625 feet ascension.
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| Queen Victoria! |
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This was not an exciting area after seeing the other parts of Bryce, but we did it. We left the area of Bryce and drove through Dixie National Forest and seen some of the Red Canyon area.
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| We did not notice any road damage |
We arrived at the last of the Mighty Five, Zion National Park. We entered the park via the East Entrance.
We left the park and headed towards Springdale, our home for the next 2 nights was at the Hampton Inn & Suites.
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| The view from our room! |
We chose Dulivia to celebrate David's (my son) birthday on September 18th. I have to say we did much better this year than where we celebrated last year. I went all out dress, heels, makeup and even tried to do something with my hair, see how special you are David.
We even finished the dinner with a beautiful sunset.
We started our morning with the hotel breakfast before heading to catch the shuttle.
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| The squirrels were not afraid of people. |
Back on the shuttle just to get off at the big Bend stop. You are supposedly able to see Angels Landing and the extremist hikers who have to obtain a permit to do the hike. I guess we even too late to see any hikers, the sun was definitely in the wrong direction.
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| Angels 😇 Landing is right below the ray of sun |
Next stop The Grotto, from the Grotto you can take multiple hikes, Emeral pools, Angels Landing, and the West Rim Trail. So we decided to do the West Rim trail to the Emerald Pool.
Next stop Court of the Patriarchs, named for the three towering figures of the Old Testament, Abraham Peak, Isaac peak, and Jacob Peak.
We walked across the street for some football and appetizers at the Bit and Spurs Restaurant.
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| Chips, salsa, and Guacamole |
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| Jalapeño Poppers |
Another beautiful sunset!
Of the Mighty Five which was our favorite? You really can't choose there are all beautiful in there own way.
Stay tuned, crossing another border.
"Don't listen to what they say, go see!" - Chinese Prover
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