We split our day into two parts today – a scenic drive to start with and then the Queens/Navajo Loop trail, in reverse this time.

• Total distance walked = 6.16 miles
• Highest elevation point = 9115 ft

Southern Scenic Drive

This is an 18 mile drive that starts at the Visitor Centre and takes you all the way to the park’s highest elevations at Rainbow and Yovimpa point. There are numerous stops along the way – some are merely viewing spots where you park up and take some photos, and others have short walks in case you want to stretch your legs. We opted to drive to the furthest point first and then work our way through the other stops on the way back.

Rainbow and Yovimpa point

These are the highest viewpoints in the park.

There is a short trail that connects Rainbow Point to Yovimpa Point, called the Bristlecone Loop, so we did that, being very careful where we stepped as some of the paths were covered in snow.

The view at Rainbow Point was mad as half the canyon has snow, whilst the other is basking in sunlight. As an aside, this crazy weather (below freezing temperatures and bright sunlight) does mean we are using copious amounts of moisturiser, lip balm and hand cream as the conditions are very drying. It feels as though we are reapplying lip balm like every 10 minutes!

On the drive back we stopped at Black Birch Canyon, Ponderosa Canyon, Agua Canyon, Natural Bridge and Fairview Point.

Black Birch Canyon

Ponderosa Canyon

Agua Canyon

You can see a prominent Hoodoo, which is known as “The Hunter”.

Natural Bridge

This natural arch could last hundreds or thousands of years, or could collapse tomorrow…

Fairview Point

Sadly we didn’t see a California Condor which according to the board has a wing span of nearly 10ft. The last sighting of one of these in the canyon was back in 1999 so it wasn’t very likely.

Queens/Navajo Loop trail

After the drive we opted to do this walk. We’d already done this one yesterday but we wanted to do it again so we did it in reverse. We obviously didn’t take as many photos as we’d taken a lot the day before, but here are a few…

We also came across a cool outdoor theatre which we assume they make use of in the summer months. It would be a perfect stage for a bluegrass band.

We are moving onto Capital Reef Canyon tomorrow so more from us then.

Lucy