Here is another story from the road trip in the American South West last summer. Kodachrome was just a quick stop in between bigger stops, we camped there and hiked just a bit. But there’s not real a “quick and useless stop” in the West, and any State Park is full of surprises. Stories and pictures about Kodachrome:
Driving during the golden hours
Saturday, September the 2nd. We left Cedar Breaks and were driving on one of the most beautiful drive of the West: Route 12 of Utah. We drove past Bryce Canyon National Park, and it made me smile to be snob about not stopping there. We were in a rush to find a place to pitch our tent. Our goal is to stop in Kodachrome State Park. It’s 6pm, on a holiday weekend, and I hope we can find a place.
We’re in luck: there are many spots available on the primitive campground; for 17$, we set camp on a remote spot, overlooking Bryce on the distance, that’s the name of the place: Bryce Canyon View.
We don’t stay long and want to enjoy the golden hours on the road, and try to see the sunset at Bryce Canyon, which is only at a 30-minute drive.
Rural
Listening to Alabama Shakes
Are we gonna miss the sunset at Bryce? At least the drive is really pretty
Early morning on the trail
“Do you sleep well when you camp?” Sometimes I do. Like that night. I like the fresh air. But a neighbor slam his car door and it wakes me up: no big deal, it’s 7am, time to wake up. The temperatures can reach 100F when the sun is up.
I pick a trail on the park brochure called “Angel’s Palace Trail”. It seems that will we see most of what the park has to offer on a short hike – 2,4 km/ 1,5 miles.
Our trusted friend on a road trip: our tent
Manu is also Kodachrome
Actually, I have the fear of heights
The silence is deafening. The trail goes up to the plateau, where we have a view of the valley. There are a few cairns on the trail, it’s always fun to find the route, even if at some point we get lost. We only see one person along the way, a solo photographer who we will see one more day a few days after.
Angel’s Palace Trailhead
Tada !
The name “Kodachrome” comes from the brand Kodak, on purpose: in 1949, tKodak agrees to give its name, in hommage of the colors and contrasts we can experience in this park.
It reminds me the Valley of the Gods in Colorado Springs
A particularity of this park: the white spires
Contrast
Kodachrome State Park, Utah
What I think: it’s a really good deal to be able to camp as close as Bryce Canyon, without the crowds of the national park.
Nearby: We found gas and we could go grocery shopping in Cannonville (Utah); our next stop was Alstrom Point, and we went through a great scenic road: Cottonwood Scenic Road.
Lodging: If you’re more motel than camping, look towards Grand Staircase Inn* and if you want to camp but not rough it up, look Bryce Luxury Camping*, we drove by and it looked lovely.
Our campground: we picked the spot 52 in Bryce View Campground (11 spots), each spot if for 4 people max. There’s water, toilet pits, and firewood for sale. It’s possible to make an advance reservation. For more comfort, Kodachrome has another campground with water, and even some washing machines, at the Basin Campground, the only issue for me is that the campground is shared with Rvs, which makes it less nice and quiet.
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Read more: recap of this road trip
More aboutUtah : all Utah
▶ If you stopped by Kodachrome already, comment below about your own experience!
