10-5, 2016 Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

After spending time at the visitor center, we rode the shuttle and walked to nearby overlooks in the Bryce amphitheater where we hiked yesterday.  Then we returned to our car and drove the 18-mile scenic drive, stopping at several overlooks.

Where the drive ends at Rainbow Point, 9,115 feet elevation, we hiked a trail through the "forest in the sky," a forest of Bristlecone Pines, short-branched, gnarly trees that grow slowly at high altitude and are one of the longest-lived species on the planet.  The oldest bristlecone in the park is 1,600 years old.  The views at this altitude are spectacular.

  

On our way out of the park we saw a herd of mule deer, including this young male who was not shy.

Sunset rain.

 
The night sky near Bryce Canyon.