Our visit to Page, AZ drew to a close. Time to say farewell to the red cliffs and point GypsyII west.
Crossing the bridge over the Glen Canyon Dam always reminds me of my Dad. He worked on the building of the Dam while we lived in Kanab when I was in Jr. High.
Those interesting formations of Navajo Sandstone continue.
The road from Page to Kanab has always been one of my favorite drives but this day about halfway Walt wasn't feeling well so it was a little stressful. After a short stop in Kanab he seemed to be better so we continued on to St. George.
We arrived safely in St. George, UT for a few days stay at Temple View RV Park. And Walt was back to feeling good. Nice to see snow on the mountains.
The main reason for our stopover in St. George was to go to Snow Canyon State Park.
Surprisingly after all the time we have spent in Southern Utah we never made it to Snow Canyon and I had heard how unique it was.
When I was planning the trip several months ago I tried to get reservations at the campground inside the park but it was full. No wonder, it is Easter week-end.
It was an absolutely perfect weather day and we again remarked how lucky we are to get to explore in such great conditions.
Snow Canyon has a little bit of everything. White Navajo Sandstone greets you as you come into the park.
The red Navajo Sandstone cliffs have been sculpted by wind, water and time.
This majestic beauty is only 9 miles north of St. George.
The 7400 acre park has 38 miles of hiking trails.
Many hikers follow no trails. They just head out across the slick rock.
The scenery is so spectacular it has been the backdrop for Hollywood movies including The Electric Horseman and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid!
Despite its name the Canyon does not get much snow. It is a strikingly colorful and fragile desert environment.
The park was created in 1959 and originally called Dixie State Park. It was later renamed for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, prominent pioneering Utah leaders.
Along with the sandstone there are lava fields and that lava played its part in shaping this beautiful canyon.
The trails are well marked showing what is allowed on each.
There is even a paved bike trail.
Loved seeing alyssum growing wild in the vibrant red soil.
The trails are red sand usually ending up on slick rock.
We took the short trail Pioneer Names.
Walt stopped when the trail became slick rock but I scrambled ahead to get a closer view.
It leads to a canyon wall that was written on by early St George settlers as early as 1881. The names were written in wagon axle grease and has remained protected by the arch that it sits under.
The view from up there showed the white sandstone, the red sandstone and the nicely green desert plants.
Many of the unique rock formations canyon walls have climbing hooks in them that lure rock climbers from all over.
There were many children playing on the parks’ sand dunes.
Snow Canyon is a place we are so glad we did not miss. A route through the pretty town of Ivins and back to St. George completed another really nice day.