Kodachrome 10/21/2013

Our first stop today was Grosvenor Arch, a double arch located in Grand Staircase Escalante. To get there, we had to drive down Road 400, what they call an "unimproved road". Driving down this rutted gravel road, we rounded a curve, only to be greeted by a steer by the side of the road. OK... A little further on, we saw a speed sign for 35 mph (really??), and immediately after, the road dipped severely and we plunged into a deep pool of water. Glad we had 4WD. The arch itself is impressive, especially when framed by a gorgeous bluer than blue sky.

After investigating the area around the arch, we headed to Kodachrome Basin State Park. In 1949, members of a National Geographic expedition named the park for its spectacular colors. Geologists believe the landscape here was once similar to Yellowstone National Park, with hot springs and geysers which eventually filled with sediment and solidified. Over time, the sandstone surrounding the geysers eroded, leaving large stone spires.

We started our exploration with a hike on a loop trail that took us atop a ridge that provided phenomenal

views of the area. Our next foray took us on a trail across desert terrain covered with sagebrush and low trees. We passed several tall spires, a cave whose walls were marked with handprints (not sure if they were

left by cowboys or Indians), and a "Secret Passage", a part of the trail through a narrow canyon.

Lastly, we took a loop trail around Shakespeare Arch. All told, we figure we hiked about 7 miles all together on all trails. Such fantastic country---and it's all ours.
We were thrilled to have such comfortable hiking weather, (50s and clear), and to be able to experience all this without any company on the trails. It was blissfully quiet.

This was all topped off by the sight of the last building we saw before our return to the campground. Gotta love this country.