as the road winds in between. Most first-timers stop just long enough to grab a photo or two in a scenic viewpoint pullout, because Bryce beckons them to hurry on to the road’s end. But we found Red Canyon to be a fantastic destination in itself. Most of the gorgeous, easy and short hikes originate at the visitor center, and they weave and intersect with each other among the red-rock castle walls out back. Following Pink Ledges trail, we zigzagged for a while up a modest incline until it brought us into the deepest, reddest part of the canyon. The rich green pine trees stood in brilliant contrast to the dark, burnt orange hues of the rock walls, and in the distance a summer thunderstorm began to form. It was sheer magic as the sky darkened and the last rays of sun lit the red spires for a moment before the storm clouds blackened the sky and the deluge began. Tourists from all over the world hustle down the highway toward the wonders of Bryce Canyon, and many make a swerving, sudden stop when they get to the phenomenal warm-up act of Red Canyon.
A pair of hoodoos stands sentinel in the middle of the canyon. Beyond their craggy faces, the narrow Pink Ledges Trail meets the wide, comfortable gravel path of Photo Trail, a route that every- one can negotiate easily. Taking a turn onto Birdseye Trail, we found ourselves climbing high along the canyon’s back walls looking down into Red Canyon and across the valley beyond. On the other side of the road, the Tunnel Trail led us to soaring heights once again, giving us views of the two unique red-rock bridges that arch across the highway. From this vantage point, we could see cars, big RVs and commer- cial trucks scooting under the red rock bridges on their way to Bryce Canyon. Besides all the half-mile to 2-mile hikes, Red Canyon boasts a nearly 9-mile-long paved bike and walking path that runs parallel to the main highway before it heads out on a curvaceous jour- ney through the canyon. Kids, old folks, serious-looking cyclists and walkers all enjoy this lovely path, although the traffic is so light that we saw only a few people each time we took our bikes out for a ride. For us, the flamboyant scenery and infinite variety of southern Utah’s many sights tug at our souls and beg us to return. The area’s national parks get all
the headlines, and they lured us on our first trip. But it is the precious, unsung and multifaceted hidden jewels lying in between those parks that make this place worthy of many repeat visits. For More Information Cedar Breaks National Monument nps.gov/cebr Dixie National Forest fs.usda.gov/dixie Utah has four Coast Classic Resorts, two Coast Premier Resorts, one Good Neighbor Park and 37 Good Sam Parks. Find out more about these destinations at the author, Emily Fagan’s website, roadslesstraveled.us.
Better than Bryce? The rocky pinnacles and vermilion views of Red Canyon and Cedar Breaks are no less breathtaking than those of their national park neighbor.
Summer 2013 COAST TO COAST 15
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