I enjoy hiking quite a bit, or better stated, being outdoors — especially up in the mountains. There is so much to appreciate and take in, whether it be a stream, the vegetation, or fauna, it is all rather interesting and refreshing. Plus, you can’t beat the air.
A few years ago I set out to do something which would allow me to see more of the States, by simply doing at least 1 hike in each of the 50 states. Short, long, mountains, desert, it didn’t matter. The main goal was to set foot in each state and get a hike in.
The journey started out reasonably well but was abruptly derailed in 2020 by COVID, limiting my air travel. Nevertheless, the idea did not die out and I have kept at it, although, at a slower pace than I originally envisioned.
So let’s talk about one of those hikes….Utah.
Side note: There is no particular order in which I am sharing these adventures. It is random.
Utah is one of those places that seems surreal. Its National Parks offer some of the more unique and interesting landscapes that you will find within the US. Orange-reddish hues tend to color the landscape, eroded by wind and water for eons, and giving us arches and hoodoos to appreciate. It is impressive.
Bryce and Zion were the main focus of my hikes in Utah, though I have also visited Arches in the past.
In Bryce, the main attraction are the hoodoos, a collection of unique geological formations resembling pillars, the product of years of wind and water erosion. The park is also a big draw for science nerds like myself as it hosts various astronomy events each year. Bryce happens to be one of the best spots for viewing in North America, being quite dark due to the lack of light pollution.
Zion is quite different and even more impressive. Its canyons offer incredible views and like Bryce, the scars of erosion are clearly evident throughout the park.
Do you like turkeys? Well, there is a good chance you’ll see some wild ones roaming around Zion. In my case I stumbled upon a deer. It is always awesome to run into wildlife.
There is so much to both of these parks and Utah parks in general. It is a great example of the American Southwest.
May these pics inspire you to visit some day!