Kodachrome Basin

 

Table Cliff Plateau

On Christmas Day, while we were in Bryce Canyon, we decided to go to Kodachrome Basin State Park. We went there once several years ago and liked it very much, so we thought it might be nice to visit again. We spent the morning in Bryce Canyon where it had snowed over night and was very cold. Then we hopped into the car and drove the 22 miles to Kodachrome Basin. From the road - scenic Highway 12 - we had a good view of majestic Table Cliff Plateau (photo above). Again, this is a mix of photos taken with my big camera and my phone.

Very soon, we enjoyed the first view of Kodachrome Basin.

We had stopped to take a couple pictures, and when we turned around we also had a lovely view of Bryce Canyon. As you can see, we had descended considerably - all the snow was gone and it was significantly less cold.

The light patterns were unpredictable. Clouds raced across the sky and they often made taking good photos rather challenging. 

This impressive wall changed its color with the racing clouds. I found it fascinating.

The park displays several layers of sandstone rock, all in different colors. If you are thinking of Kodak when you see these colors and contrasts, you are not mistaken. It was the National Geographic Society who in 1949, with consent from Kodak Film Corp., named the park Kodachrome.

We enjoyed hiking along the slickrock. 

The views were stunning and, best of all, we were almost the only people there. During the entire time we spent in the park, we saw two more couples and a lone ranger. No one else. After the crowds in Bryce Canyon this was bliss.

Of course we had to take a selfie.

The texture of the rock in some places was very interesting.

More slickrock and junipers throughout the park.

To my delight there were dead and crooked trees. I would have been very disappointed if I hadn't seen any.

This one was my clear favorite.

Please don't ask me what these flowers/plants are, I have no idea. If someone knows, please let me know. I just liked the look of them.

Finally, we decided to take the dirt road out to Grosvenor Arch, which we had done during our first visit as well. It's only another 10 miles.

The views of Kodachrome Basin and Bryce Canyon in the distance are quite spectacular.

However, after a few miles the arroyo had flooded the road and there was still water standing.

To the left and the right it looked like this.

We debated for a while whether we should try and drive through it - we had done things like that before - but on this trip we were experiencing some minor trouble with one of our tires and finally decided not to risk it. We certainly didn't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere on Christmas Day.

So we turned around and drove back.

There were still many opportunities to stop and admire the scenery. The Geek though thought it funnier to take a picture of me while I was busy taking a photo with my phone.

And this was my photo. Much nicer.

On our way back we passed these beautiful windmills, so decorative with Bryce Canyon as a backdrop.

Across the street cows were grazing near an old shed. 

We were back in Bryce Canyon just in time for a rather dramatic sunset. We walked up to Inspiration Point - this time I made it to the top as well. Very slowly with many breaks so I could cough and catch my breath (I really don't recommend a nasty cough in thin air!), but I made it and it was so worth it.

After this long day the fish and beer tasted especially good. Of course the beer is for T Tuesday over at Bleubeard and Elizabeth.