Two Days in Bryce Canyon

A Winter's Tale

Bryce Canyon is a place of raw beauty, where red rock towers meet a cold that stings your skin. It was a land of contrasts—bright skies above and the bite of winter below. In two days, we found both struggle and solace, wrapped in the rugged beauty of Utah’s wilderness.

Day 1: The Cold and the Comfort

The morning was bitter, the kind that makes your breath feel sharp in your chest. With temperatures eventually dropping to -15°C with the wind howling, the cold was a companion we couldn’t shake. We started at Thor’s Hammer, where hoodoos stood like silent sentinels under the pale sun. Their red hues were muted by the frost, but the sight was no less striking.

By late afternoon, the plan to sleep in the car was abandoned. The cold was merciless. Ruby’s Inn offered shelter, and it felt like an oasis in the middle of this winter desert. Warm coffee steamed in my hands as we sat, unwinding. Pizza that night was more than food; it was comfort. Later, the hot tub thawed the ache of the day, and we ended with the simple joy of Friends playing on the TV.

Day 2: The Trail and the Toll

Morning came with the promise of exploration. The breakfast buffet was better than expected, though it carried the quiet suspicion of all buffets. Fuelled, we set out for the park, where the views stretched endlessly under the winter sky.

The highlight was the Navajo/Queens Garden Combination Trail. Snow lined the path, and the quiet of the forest was broken only by our footsteps and the footsteps of the others braving the cold. The formations were otherworldly, their beauty heightened by the soft fog of our breath in the cold air.

But nature demanded its price. A sharp pinch in my achilles ached, an unwelcome reminder of old sports injuries. The pain brought thoughts of health insurance, a strange intrusion in such a serene setting, something I would never have thought about at home. Still, the trail’s beauty outweighed the discomfort. Each step was a testament to the allure of this wild, untamed place.

Reflections

Bryce Canyon in winter is a test of endurance, but its rewards are boundless. The cold strips you down to the essentials, making each moment vivid, each view unforgettable. Ruby’s Inn was a haven, a place to thaw and reflect, and the park itself left an imprint deeper than the snow.