Road trip: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon

Rock formations seen along the Queens Garden Trail at Bryce Canyon.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

A rock formation seen along the Queens Garden Trail.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Hoodoos seen from the Queens Garden Trail at sunset.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors at Sunset Point.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

A view of Bryce Amphitheater from Sunset Point.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Snow-covered pine trees seen from the Navajo Trail. The 1.3-mile loops starts at Sunset Point and descends into Bryce Amphitheater.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Hikers explore the Navajo Trail with their dogs.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

A plane flies over Bryce Canyon, as seen from the Navajo Trail.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Rock formations seen along the Navajo Trail.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Natural Bridge, a humongous arch carved by erosion.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Clouds pass over Zion, as seen from Weeping Rock.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Tourists take in the view from underneath Weeping Rock.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

The Lower Emerald Pool Trail near Zion Lodge.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Clouds pass over Zion’s multicolored rocks.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

At Horseshoe Bend southwest of Page, Ariz., the Colorado River curves at just the right spot.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Lower Antelope Canyon, located on the southeastern edge of Page, is the supermodel of slot canyons. It photographs well.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Tour guide, Mouse (left), sits on steps that lead out of Lower Antelope Canyon.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

A narrow segment of the slot canyon.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

This view of Lower Antelope Canyon is called “Rocky Mountain Sunset,” according to Mouse.   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Mouse points out features of Lower Antelope Canyon.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

If you look at these formations closely, you may see ghostly faces.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Light gently bounces off Lower Antelope Canyon’s sandstone walls, creating a subtle range of colors.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

A Chinese New Year exhibit at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The exhibit ended March 1.

The Delano hotel, formerly THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, opened in September.  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)