Talking with a park ranger, I learned that all this haziness and red sun is a result of the fires in Utah. Some are in Moab; this is where we are heading tomorrow.
Being our last day here in Colorado, we decided to drive the forty-seven miles to the south rim.
In the park, we begin the drive, stopping at the trail parking spaces, and we hike the trails. Our first hike to Tomichi Point Overlook is enough to make this trip worth every effort, hazy views, and smell of smoke.
Next is a hike to Pulpit Rock Overlook.
Next is Cross Fissures View.
This is Chasm View and Painted Wall View.
We finish the hike at Sunset View.
After this jaw-dropping four-hour hike, we head back to our campsite. As we leave, we see flashes of lightning above the mountain range. It is raining as we leave the entrance. Moe doesn’t like thunder, and apparently, he doesn’t like the sound of large raindrops splatting on the windshield. He is on my lap, quivering.
What an epic way to exit Colorado and bring our tour to Utah.