Zion

Zion looks like another planet... besides the massive hoards of people, it was amazing. Stayed in or near for 3 nights and packed in as many hikes as I could.




Welcome to Mars?






"where am i"


Zion showing off its lovely fall colors


The ledge on the left is part of the Hidden Canyon trail... don't slip now


At least there's sometimes a chain to hold on to


Into Hidden Canyon- "scrambling required"




"look what i found"




lower part of Hidden Canyon trail


wild mineral patterns above upper Emerald Pool


morning light at the start of the hike to Angel's Landing


classic Zion pic - view from Angel's Landing (not to brag but the trail map said the hike would take 4-6 hours and I did it in 2...including dawdling around at the top for a bit and having to fight off the crowds) ((however my legs were very sore the next day))


lower part of the trail snaking up into the cliffs


same view in the late morning light


"whoa this is a short walk from my campsite?! cool!!" the Virgin River

Marble Canyon / Vermilion Cliffs, AZ

These are my pics from Marble Canyon AZ where I explored and stayed for a night. I hiked up into a canyon which went into the Vermilion Cliffs, which I've been wanting to see. The hike was so cool - unfortunately I grew nervous of flash floods when the clouds started to get ominous/dark over the canyon, so I turned back a little early. Still, it was incredible. There wasn't really a "path," it was more just making your way up the canyon and figuring out the best routes around/over/through massive boulders.





Some desert puddles created cool reflections


Rock layering was insaaane


Looking up at the end of the lower canyon




Swiss cheese rock


Photo doesn't even show the bright blues and purples


I like rocks








This was literally across the road from my campsite... That's the Colorado River

Grand Canyon

Managed to catch a sunset and sunrise while here - as well as crazy lightning bolts cracking through the canyon. It's so huge it's unreal, but it's also super crowded so I'm now moving on to Utah in the next few days.





Incredible sunset was a much needed calm after the thunder and lightning storms.






And now the sunrise... I threw my soaked tent (from all the rain) into my car and got there just in time to catch the end of the sunrise.



Perfect little outcrop that I claimed to watch the sun come up (with coffee of course).


Happy, if not sleep deprived from a drizzly night in the tent.






I wanted to sit there but since this dude was here first I took pics of him instead

Lone Pine & Death Valley

Camped for a night right at the base of Mt Whitney - it was super cool!

Hiked/biked/climbed the rocks on Movie Rd near my campsite

Mobius Arch

Death Valley! Strange, otherworldly place. Seems to go on and on. And VERY hot.

Mosaic Canyon

Mesquite Dunes