A Pacific Southwest Road Trip

Photos from a road trip across the Pacific Southwest of the USA in 2018

By Johannes Wienke

2020-10-18

A series of photos taken along one of the typical road trip routes starting from Los Angeles including several national parks of the USA.

Los Angeles

Starting point of the road trip following a conference was Los Angeles.

A Christian Science Churc neon sign in downtown LA — Somewhere in downtown LA

Zion National Park

The first national park along the route was Zion. This national park is a nice contrast to the others that followed because the nature is extremely pretty but the park is not that crowded compared to the more famous ones.

A view along the Virgin River valley with the Watchman mountain in the back at sunset — The classic postcard photo of the Watchman

A panorama of the Organ and Angles Landing at Zion valley — The Organ and Angels Landing

Not only the valley at Zion is pretty. Along the Kolob Reservoir Road you can also find some pretty nice spots to watch the sunset.

A sunset above a valey visible from the side of the Kolob Reservoir Road at Zion National Park — Somewhere up above the valley at the Kolob Reservoir Road

From Zion we headed towards Bryce Canyon. To get there, you have to follow the Zion Mount Carmel Highway that winds up Pine Creek Canyon.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon was probably the most impressive experience. Unfortunately, we only had a single day to visit it. The next day, the forecast indicated snow and with a rental car with only summer tires we decided to better leave early.

A view down into Bryce Canyon at Sunset Point with a ranger approaching on a hiking path — Going up again towards Sunset Point

From Bryce Canyon to Page

From Bryce Canyon we continued to Page with its various attractions nearby. Despite the bad weather forecast and adventurous stories found on the internet, we decided to take the Cottonwood Canyon Road. We made it without getting stuck.

Close before Page, one passes the impressive Glen Canyon Dam

The impressive wall of the Glen Canyon Dam

Around Page: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

A view of the impressive Horse Shoe Bend at Page with dark clouds at sunset time — The crazy view point at Horseshoe Bend. There's a tiny tent down at the bottom.

Page is a small town close to the Glen Canyon Dam and a few natural landmarks that have become very famous: Horse Shoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.

The three chimneys of Navajo Power Plant — Navajo Power Plant

Grand Canyon

The next stop was Grand Canyon. We arrived in the evening and watched a beautiful sunset. The next morning everything was covered in clouds, rain, and snow.