Butte-tiful Bridge

There are a number of units in the National Park System which require a little more effort to visit. Some are found in remote locations such as Alaska, Guam, or American Samoa. Others, like the White House or Port Chicago Naval Magazine N MEM, require advance reservations and background checks. And a handful can only be accessed by boat or by hike, both of which are true of the unit we visited today - Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

When we first decided to come to Page for spring break, I was very disappointed that Rainbow Bridge boat tours were only offered on Saturdays, which didn't fit our schedule. But when I checked again a few weeks later, they had added a Monday tour, which I promptly booked!

So, it was another early morning for us since we had to be at Wahweap Marina to check in a half hour before our 8:00AM departure.

Once on board, I took a seat on the top deck for better photos (and to ward off motion sickness). It was super chilly sitting outside in the wind, so R and the boys alternated between keeping me company and warming up down below. I was very happy taking in the view, so I didn't mind!

Gunsight Butte

Padres Butte (left) and Tower Butte (far right)

Padres Butte

Last Chance Bay

How did an "RV" park on top of the rock?

After almost 3 hours (and 50 miles) on Lake Powell, we entered the mouth of Forbidding Canyon and soon arrived at the dock. Before disembarking, we were given strict instructions to be back on the boat within 90 minutes, so we quickly started the 1.25-mile hike in to see Rainbow Bridge.

Snow-covered Navajo Mountain and Rainbow Bridge

Once we reached the viewing area, we had enough time to continue on the trail to get around to the other side...

...and then hustled back to the boat for the return trip to the marina.

A long day, but it was totally worth the effort to check Rainbow Bridge National Monument off our list!