Across Utah to Flagstaff

The Magic Bus and the Vermilion Cliffs

The Colorado River viewed from Navajo Bridge

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - - It was time to leave Bryce Canyon NP and head for Zion NP...until we checked the weather.  The daytime temperature of 104-degrees at Zion quickly got us looking at alternatives.  Flagstaff, at 250+ miles, looked good since we've spent time there before and there is a good forest service campground.  Arrive early is a key in getting a (good) campsite.  Forgetting that we would gain an hour crossing into Arizona made us even earlier.
     Unless you like high desert, the drive is rather boring.  One highlight, which we look forward to seeing, are the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and the Navajo Bridge.  We traveled this route a number of times when we worked at the Grand Canyons' North Rim (2010).
     At NB, the Colorado flows through Marble Canyon on its way into the Grand Canyon.  Rafting traffic sets out from nearby in Glenn Canyon where, if you arrive early, you can see the raft crews loading up supplies for the multi-day trip.
     Why does the water look green??  No clue.