Fairyland

Since my last post was all text and no pics, this one will be the reverse...pretty much just pics with captions. I took the first day's shots on the Fairyland Loop: a gorgeous 8 mile hike we usually recommend to people looking to get down below the rim, but without the crowds.

Wednesday, May 28

Morning sunshine on the hoodoos...

Limber Pine just hanging on to the rim at Sunrise Point...

Pebbly remains of fallen hoodoos...

Tower Bridge...

White limestone fins lining the "Hoodoo Graveyard"

Such a brilliant white in the midday sun...getting burned from above and below...reminded me a bit of the Bonneville Salt Flats...

Friday, May 30

Took an evening stroll from Sunset to Inspiration. Hoodoos in shadow, but distant light on clouds and plateaus is spectacular...

Bristlecone pines are a stunning silhouette...

Anticrepuscular rays and shadows converge on the eastern horizon--the other side of sunset...

A gorgeous Belt of Venus is close behind...

Crescent Moon and Jupiter (that tiny "star" above the point of the tree) set in the west as I make my way back down the trail...