Bryce Canyon, Utah

 

As we were loading up and packing up Miller's Knoll, these cattle came out mooing their farewells.

On our way out of Panguitch, we stopped at Orton's Farm Center for some more hay. This video shows how they loaded the hay on to the top of our trailer so we could get it stowed in the hay pod. Great place to stop for equine supplies!

On our way into Bryce, we decided to stop at the Cassidy Trail and have a ride. We rode this trail back in 2003 on Laertes and Oberon. Back then, the trail was pretty much known only to locals. It was not a developed trail and there was no signage. Local legend is that Butch Cassidy and his gang hid out in a shed at the end of a box canyon while Wyatt Earp and his posse searched them out. Back then, you rode through a dry creek bed until you get to a one room wooden shack where Cassidy and his gang hid out. The shack looks to have been demolished and gone. There are now developed trails and signage.  A little history has disappeared.

There is now a large lot big enough to accommodate our LQ as well as outfitters with stock trailers. The lot is below street level, so if you don't know to look for it, you will drive past it. If you drive through the first arch on the way to Bryce, you have missed it.

The canyon is still pretty and the trail system is well laid out.

This is our second time visiting Bryce Canyon with horses. Our first time was in 2003 with Laertes and Oberon.  Back then, we kept the horses at the rodeo grounds and we stayed at a Hilton across the street. The Hilton is now a Best Western.

The rodeo grounds look pretty much the same.

I had reserved stalls 5 & 6 on-line, but when I got there those stalls were taken. I complained about people taking my reserved stalls and got an earful about how when they came somebody had taken the stalls they reserved, so it was a domino effect.

What would be helpful is if management put cards on reserved stalls so people don't take stalls that have been paid for and reserved.

The rodeo grounds manager, Brady, got us this cute Maverick 2H stock trailer to use while we are here.

In 2003, we parked near the day use corrals used by the outfitters that lead guided trail rides through the canyon. In 2020, we were directed to the Mixing Circle service yard - where they mix the building materials used to maintain the park. This was confusing because there is no signage and when you go down the road there is a sign that says "No Entrance - Service Road". 

However, once we found the lot, it was no problem - plenty of trailer parking.

A ranger met us in the lot to review the health certifications for the horses and to give us this map. This map is very useful and much better than the one provided when you go through the park entrance.

You are supposed to call ahead 72 hours before your arrival. We didn't. 

There is a trail directly from the parking area and you just follow that trail, past the lodge, up to the day use corrals. Once you get to the day use corrals, you have to check in with the guided ride outfitters and figure out when you can continue so you don't clash with any of the guided rides.

We rode the Peek A Boo loop. The views of the canyon were amazing, but this trail is not for anybody who is scared of heights.

It was interesting remembering what it was like riding this trail almost 20 years ago. Back then, we weren't nervous at all. We totally trusted Laertes and Oberon on the trail. If I just moved my butt or head slightly, Laertes would adjust his direction. I didn't even have to touch the reins. On this ride, both Ari and I kept our hands on the reins and paid attention to our horses. Ari has had Lennox for five years now and I have had Mercutio for three years, so while they have come a long way, they still aren't as clued in as our previous riding partners. I guess it will take another five years before we feel totally safe on them.