IntrepidXJ's Adventure Blog

Las Vegas Trip 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012

Friday had arrived, which means it was time to finally leave Las Vegas. Even though we enjoyed visiting some of the areas outside of the city, we were both looking forward to getting out of the big city. After checking out of our hotel we were back on the road again and pretty soon we were out of Nevada, Arizona and then back in Utah again. Our destination for today was Bryce Canyon National Park, but we decided to get there via the Arizona Strip and through Kanab. We stopped to grab some lunch in Kanab and then carried on until we finally reached Bryce.

When we first arrived at Bryce we stopped by both Sunrise and Sunset Points. The light was pretty flat while we were there, but it was a good scouting opportunity for the following sunrise.

While exploring the area around Sunset Point, I descended the Navajo Trail loop a short ways until it was blocked by a snow drift that I didn’t feel like crossing. We didn’t have much time for hiking this evening, so it’s probably for the best.

Trail Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Trail Ahead by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After a quick stop to check out Inspiration Point we continued on to Bryce Point. I stayed below taking some photos because the sun had poked out through the clouds causing some spot-lighting while Amanda continued up to Bryce Point to wait for me.

Amanda Above by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Las Vegas Trip 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012

After another night at our hotel in Las Vegas we were up early and on our way out of the city and over to Valley of Fire State Park. I was looking forward to visiting this amazing little area and we were planning on spending the full day here. Even though a full day was nowhere near enough time to explore the whole park, we managed to see a lot and took many photos.

The sun came up just as we were nearing the entrance to the park. I loved the way the light was striking the mountains as we drove through this area, so I had to quickly stop and compose a shot.

Golden Morning by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Driving into the golden morning light.

Fire Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Road Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After finally arriving at the park I quickly went searching for some arches near the entrance…

Arch & Tiny Moon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Las Vegas Trip 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

It was our second day in Las Vegas and we were ready to get out of the city again. After sleeping in we headed out to visit Hoover Dam. When we arrived, we decided that we didn’t want to pay or wait in a long line for a tour so we just walked across the dam to check it out.

View from the dam including the new bridge.

Looking Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking back towards the Visitor’s Center in Nevada…there sure are a lot of power lines around.

Dam & Power Lines by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Intakes on the Arizona side in Lake Mead.

Intakes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Las Vegas Trip 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012

It was our first full day in Las Vegas and we both could already tell that this city wasn’t the place for us. We had tickets in the evening for the Blue Man Group, so we decided to spend the morning just outside of town in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Red Rock Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I like the red stripe across this mountain.

Striped by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The bright red Calico Hills really stand out from the rest of the landscape.

Calico Hills View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Las Vegas Trip 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012

After a great weekend exploring Zion National Park, Amanda and I decided to stick around a bit longer on Monday morning before starting our drive to Las Vegas.

I visited the Court of the Patriarchs in the morning to catch the sunrise. I was worried for a bit that the clouds to the east would block the early morning light, but I ended up getting this spotlighting on the large sandstone formations above the Virgin River.

Court of the Patriarchs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After some breakfast we hiked the Emerald Pools trail before leaving the park. This sidewalk lead around the lower pools and under the small waterfalls above.

Emerald Sidewalk by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking up at the small waterfalls pouring over the sandstone.

Emerald Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr