Schorschi was in America, now in Sweden

After an intermediate drive (including a snow storm) we arrived at Bryce Canyon NP. On the one side it was quite cold, on the other hand the park is really beatutiful and one of my favorites so far. Here are some pictures of a snow covered canyon:

Main source for these rare formations is the change between freezing and non-freezing temperatures (over 200 times a year). Liquid water enters small channels and freezes. Its volume increases and the result can be seen below:

Arches NP is what it sounds like: A National Park full of Arches. Some of these you can climb, hike through or justsee from the distance as they are about to collapse. The probably most famous arch may be Landscape Arch:

But also the rest of the park is great. Unfortunately the weather was quite bad (cloud-covered sky).

Another fancy geological effect can be seen on the next picture: A former salt sea, now under several hundred feet of concret is being washed out by water wich causes the land above to collapse and drop. SO the rocks turn sideways!

And more arches:

The next day our first stop was Canyon Lands NP. On the one side, the Grand Canyon is bigger and deeper, on the other side Canyon Lands is far less touristy and also very spectacular. While the Grany Canyon is really only one big Canyon with several smaller side Canyons, it seemed to me that Canyon Lands consist of hundreds and thousands of smaller Canyons. ANd of course, we have steep rocks. Here is a picture that describes the “three worlds”:

The next morning the sky was blue again and mountaines in the distance were showing their snow covered  tops. We left early heading north east. The rode became more and more spectacular as we went through Monument Valley. Also, it was surprisingly lonely:

Here are some nice rock formations:

Mexican Hat:

Arches (many more to come):

In the evening we arrived at Arches NP. Unfortunately we had to find out that an event called “Jeep Safari Week” was about to take place, so every single campground in the area seemed to be totally crowded. However, after searching for an empty spot for more than one hour we found the probably smallest campsite in Utah (8 camp sites), located at the back of a small mountain and providing a breathtaking view over Canyon Lands NP. Behind the camp sites, the country drops several hundred feets and only in the very distance a faint glance of a small city was visible.

Cowboy-style BBQ:

Glowing sunset:

Even the moon was glowing:

This morning we had to get up pretty early (5.30 am) and started right down to get to the Colorado. The further down we got, the less people we met. Right on the start we ignored this sign.

But honestly, I would not try to do the hike during summer times! When we went down, it was still freezing at the rim but got immediately warmer inside the canyon. The rising sun was glowing into the canyon while the walls where still covered with snow:

Not everybody was so happy about getting up early

When we reached the “first flat level” of more resistant stone, the canyon had a color like being on fire:

And finally we found a spot with a decent view over the river. Still 3000 ft to go.

After 2,5 hours and 5500 ft we reached the river, probably being the first group this morning (in total we saw no more than 10 to 20 people who really went down all the way throughout the whole day).

When we reached the Phantom Ranch we had a long breakfast and enjoyed mild temperatures around 75 to 80 F.  Also, we filled up our water supplies.

You have actually a hard time spotting the rim down from the river (as hard as spotting the river from the rim).

Some people cheat and use rafting boats to get inside the canyon

In order to cross the river you have to pass a cable bridge:

We also had some real cowboys (I think they were jealous when they saw our cool hats ).

The way up was of course a lot tougher.. 5500 ft within 6 miles, no shadow and no fresh water reservoirs on the way. However it took us just a little bit more than 4 hours to get up again.

In the evening we seriously did not feel like cooking any more, so after showering we went straight to a nice steak house and prepared for the next hop to Arches NP.

After a long drive the day before we finally were assigned to a camp site inside the national park:

As the park is much bigger than we first estimated we decided to take a medium hike along the rim. On top of the canyon you can find a dense forest that looks pretty unspectacular. However if you approach the rim the forest suddenly gets more open and then drops 1600 ft down to the river:

Unfortunately there are only very few spots where you can actually see the Colorado itself. So we decided to talk to a ranger and ask her about hiking down. Officially she told us that “they” did not recommend the idea, but if we want to, we should be able to do so..

Here is a little panoramic shot of the canyon:

The next morning we left early and headed towards the south gate to see some cactuses in the lower parts of the park:

Please note that touching a cactus is not exactly very smart

And some more Joshua Trees:

Leaving the park through the north-east exit we passed 29 Palms (no, we did not count the palms):

Driving north through California into Arizona, there was literally a lot of nothing:

And finally we reached the interstate system again:

Our first national park to be vistited was Joshua Tree. We arrived late at night coming from LA to find out that all camps sites were already full. However we found a very nice one close enough to the park entrance and managed to be at the main gate early enough to find an empty site. From there on we started hiking into the desert:

Enjoying the great view:

Some light rock climbing activities:

Some cactuses:

After that exhausting trip we Christian prepared dinner at our camp site:

And this is somewhat how the dester looks during sunset and at night:

After a fun night at Gaviota State Beach, we went further south to Los Angeles. On the way we saw some sea lions:

After wiggling through LAs traffic we stopped first at Venice Beach:

A must-see sight in LA is of course Hollywood:

And the walk of fame (where are all the newer actors?):

After a first stop at the campground in Monterey, we drove further south to the more spectacular part of the Highway where the shoulder seriously drops several hundred feet:

We also met some gulls:

If you do not want your fingers nibbled, do not feed squirrels:

Windy weather: