Day 2: Grand Canyon and Road Trip North
Sunrise at the South Rim, Sunset at Bryce Canyon
After a short, sleep-deprived night, because who requires more than four hours of shut-eye when there's adventure to be had? The 5:00 a.m. alarm jolts us awake. The early wake-up call is met with a brisk Arizona morning, temperatures sitting comfortably in the low 30s. Yes, Arizona is known for scorching spring days and surprisingly chilly mornings. We layer up like we're preparing for an Alaska expedition, all for that perfect sunrise shot on the rim.
With our trusty flashlights (because darkness is still reigning), we wind our way along the South Rim trail. It’s eerily quiet out here and just a few souls in sight, just us and the stars (and maybe a few curious cacti). Our main target: Bright Angel Point. As we hike, the horizon begins to glow, and the landscape slowly reveals itself. The rims, peaks, and valleys come into focus like nature’s own filter just better, because it’s real life.
Suddenly, the canyon shifts from a shadowy abyss to a sprawling masterpiece, bathed in the golden hues of dawn. It’s like watching the world’s most impressive watercolor paint job come to life. Honestly, seeing this natural wonder wake up is a bucket-list moment that’s hard to top. In fact, I was so in awe that I didn’t lift my camera as often as I should have. Instead I opted to just experience the moment with my husband.
We trek the rim trail for about 3.84 miles round-trip because in the canyon, every step counts. 11,000 steps at 6,930 ft elevation by 8:13 a.m. shows it was a great morning. Let’s be honest: we’ve flown over this canyon more times than we can count on our frequent flyer miles. Still, I’ll say it again that no matter how many times you’ve seen it from the sky, experiencing it up close is an absolute must.
After our morning adventure, nothing beats a hearty breakfast and a warm cup of coffee. Preferably combined with a good story or two and a photo review. We strolled over to the Harvey House Cafe, where the menu promised comfort and deliciousness. I ordered the Fried Eggs with Wild Mushroom and Bacon Benedict. Yes, I was sold at “Benedict,” but let me tell you, this was soooo good. Imagine a breakfast symphony in my mouth. Our server was a gem—entertaining, friendly, and full of tips on the best viewpoints for the drive ahead.
Speaking of the drive, from the park to Bryce Canyon, we had a full day of sightseeing ahead—so many viewpoints, so little time. We stopped at every single one, because when you only have one day, you make every second count. Without the stops, it’s about a 5-hour drive, but with all the awe-inspiring photo ops, it turned into an epic road trip.
By 6:30 p.m., we rolled into Bryce City, UT. Our cozy Best Western hotel was within walking distance of several restaurants perfect for a quick bite. We devoured some pizza, plotted out our sunrise hike for the next morning, and called it an early night.
After all, tomorrow’s sunrise at Bryce Canyon was calling our names, and we wanted to be well-rested enough to greet it with open eyes and full hearts.