One our first adventures after arriving at the Shrek House in Bryce Woodland Estates was to locate Tropic Reservoir.  It is located 40 miles from our summer location.  If we could go directly over the mountain from our location, it would be half that distance.

To get to the lake, one must take highway 12 towards Bryce Canyon.  On the way you pass through Red Canyon.  Just before turning into Bryce Canyon there is a dirt road that cuts back south, and which leads to the reservoir.

This view and the ones that follow are rock formations seen as you pass through Red Canyon.  There was highway repairs being made and traffic was stopped, so I had plenty of time to take several pictures.  The unique formations are formed by ice, snow and wind.  The road work was right in the area where there are two arches that you drive through, so we did not get any pictures of them.

We arrived at Tropic Reservoir to find a huge body of water surrounded by pine and juniper trees.  There is a sign that indicates a campground.  That is near the boat ramp.  Most of the lake shore would otherwise be difficult to get to to launch a boat.

You can see in this view how steep the bank is.

This is a view from the far end of the lake.  It is a wonderful place to kayak and fish.  We saw a couple of nice fish caught along the shore while there, even though it was mid-day. 

At one time, while driving to the far end of the lake, we spotted a huge flock of geese on the water.  When we returned, they had dispersed.  We managed to photograph a few of them.

Here is a close up of some of the geese.

There is a wonderful spring of fresh water that is fenced off, but not locked out.

This is the final view of the lake.  It is fed by a stream that flows into it.  That dark spot you see on the lake is a fisherman.  It is like a wonderful oasis in the middle of the mountainous desert.