Our Dream USA Road Trip: National Parks Adventure
On May 29th, we continued our journey through Utah's national parks, with Bryce Canyon as the next stop. After parking at the visitor center, we hopped on the shuttle bus, which took us up to Bryce Point at 2,546 meters – the highest elevation we reached on foot during our trip. From there, we hiked along the Rim Trail, passing the Inspiration Points on our way to Sunset Point. The views over the amphitheater and its countless hoodoos were absolutely breathtaking. Next, we descended into the canyon itself, winding our way through the towering rock formations on the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. Walking among the hoodoos gave us an entirely new perspective of Bryce Canyon's unique landscape. After finishing our hikes, we hit the road once again, ending the day in the small town of Loa, where we spent the night before continuing our adventure.
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The whole story:
This road trip across California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona was a long-time dream finally come true. Originally envisioned before the pandemic, we’d waited years to make it happen, and in May 2024, we finally set off on a three-week adventure from Los Angeles. Covering over 4,665 kilometers by car and hiking 182 kilometers, we explored some of America’s most iconic national parks, immersing ourselves in breathtaking landscapes and challenging hikes that showed us the true beauty and power of nature.
Starting at Channel Islands National Park, we experienced the unique wildlife of Santa Cruz Island before traveling through Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite and Death Valley. Each park offered its own unforgettable highlights: towering sequoias, rugged granite peaks and surreal desert vistas. Utah’s national parks — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands — were a mesmerizing blend of vibrant rock formations, red rock canyons and panoramic overlooks. While we were already in the area, we used the opportunity to visit Navajo Nation with it's iconic red rock buttes, exploring the stunning slot canyons and the astonishing view at Horseshoe Bend. The Grand Canyon capped off our journey with awe-inspiring views and strenuous hikes in the heat, including the legendary Bright Angel Trail. With each new park, our passion for hiking and adventure grew as we witnessed the remarkable diversity of these landscapes
Along the way, we faced everything from heatwaves to mountain roads, each step reinforcing the joy of finally living our dream. As we wrapped up with a sunset visit to Joshua Tree and a final day in Los Angeles, we couldn’t have imagined a more fulfilling experience. Join us as we share our journey through these incredible parks and celebrate the beauty of the American Southwest!
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Timestamps:
00:00 intro
00:35 on the road
01:36 Rim Trail
08:07 Navajo Loop Trail
11:35 Queen's Garden
16:45 on the road again
17:58 photos
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Music:
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