Panhandle Hiking Trip (Palo Duro)

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Our first stop was to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in the United States, second only to the Grand Canyon. We stayed at the old CCC cabins built on the canyon rim not far from the visitors center.

Penny stands next to the CCC cabin within Palo Duro Canyon State Park that we stayed at for several days.	This is the view from the picnic table next to our cabin. The cabin was privacy-fenced, leaving this view all to ourselves. Separate cabins were next door, but mostly out of view.	Another view of our cabin with the canyon below.
Penny contemplates the trail.	This cave-like overhang was a hit with the group of kids that attacked it soon after us.	Penny hikes through the undulating terrain of the Givens, Spicer & Lowry Running Trail. Note the hoodoo looming overhead.
Penny moves forward on the trail. The red sandstone predominates the lower levels of the canyon. It is often quite soft and easily crumbles to the touch.	Penny and I pose at the rim of the canyon at the visitor center.	Penny spies the formation at the end of the Lighthouse Trail. This is the most popular hike in the park, though we only encountered one other person going out.
Penny in front of the Lighthouse. We couldn't resist going right up to the base, so...	We did. Here I am at the base.	Penny on a ledge descending from the Lighthouse. We came from all the way down the canyon to where you can do a right turn in the distance.
The unpublished Triassic Trail was the best pure hike in the park. Here Penny traverses an old CCC stone bridge.	The dramatic ridges of the canyon rim Triassic Trail is unlike any of the other Palo Duro hikes, which are all on the canyon floor.	Here I stand on top of a natural rock formation. The wind was howling, which necessitated the wide stance. Penny chose not to venture to the table given the steep drops on either side of the point.
The Triassic Trail actually also descends from the canyon rim to the floor with a set of steep switchbacks.	Surprise! When we got to the canyon floor Penny realized the hill we just descended was the same one her parents refused to let her climb as a child. Here she sticks her tongue out in defiance. Then we hiked back up the same trail to the canyon rim.