Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [73]
Mossy Cave Trail
.8 mile RT. Easy. Access: Along Utah 12, about 3½ miles east of the intersection with Utah 63.
This often-overlooked trail located outside the main part of the park offers an easy and picturesque 45-minute walk. The trail follows an old irrigation ditch
up a short hill to a shallow cave, where seeping water nurtures the cave's moss. Just off the trail, you'll also see a small waterfall. Elevation gain is 150 feet. Hikers will usually get their feet wet; be careful when crossing the ditch.
Navajo Loop Trail
1.4 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Trailhead at central overlook point at Sunset Point.
This trail descends from the canyon rim 521 feet to the canyon floor and back up again. Traversing graveled switchbacks, it affords terrific views of several impressive formations, including the towering skyscrapers of Wall Street, the awesome Twin Bridges, and the precariously balanced Thor's Hammer. The round-trip on this trail takes 1 to 2 hours.
Queen's Garden Trail
.9 mile one-way. Easy to moderate. Access: South side of Sunrise Point.
This short trail, which drops 320 feet below the rim, takes you down into Bryce Amphitheater, with rest benches near the formation called Queen Victoria. At the beginning of the descent, keep an eye cocked to the distant views so you won't miss Boat Mesa, the Sinking Ship, the Aquarius Plateau, and Bristlecone Point. As you plunge deeper into the canyon, the trail passes some of the park's most fanciful formations, including majestic Queen Victoria herself, for whom the trail and this grouping of hoodoos were named, plus the Queen's Castle and Gulliver's Castle. The round-trip takes 1 to 2 hours.
LONGER TRAILS
Fairyland Loop
8 miles RT. Strenuous. Access: Fairyland Point Overlook, off park access road north of visitor center; also accessible from Sunrise Point.
From Fairyland Point, this strenuous but little-traveled trail descends into Fairyland Canyon then meanders up, down, and around Boat Mesa. It crosses Campbell Canyon, passes Tower Bridge junction—a short 200-yard side trail takes you to the base of Tower Bridge— and begins a steady climb to the Chinese Wall. About halfway along the wall, the trail begins the serious ascent back to the top of the canyon, finally reaching it near Sunrise Point. To complete the loop, follow the Rim Trail back through juniper, manzanita, and Douglas fir to Fairyland Point. The loop has an elevation change of 900 feet.
Peekaboo Loop
6.8 miles RT. Strenuous. Access: Bryce Point Overlook parking area.
Open to hikers, mules, and horses, the Peekaboo Loop winds among hoodoos below Bryce and Inspiration points and has an elevation change of 800 feet. It has several fairly steep inclines and descents, but the views make the effort worthwhile. You can see far to the east beyond Bryce Canyon—toward the Aquarius Plateau, Canaan Mountain, and the Kaiparowits Plateau—or enjoy the closer prospect of the Wall of Windows, the Three Wisemen, the Organ, and the Cathedral. Various connecting trails make Peekaboo easily adaptable. Note: Horse use is heavy from spring to fall, and hikers should step aside as horseback riders pass them on the trail.
Rim Trail
5.5 miles one-way. Easy to moderate. Access: North trailhead at Fairyland Point; south trailhead at Bryce Point. Also accessible from Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration points and numerous locations in between.
The Rim Trail, which does not drop into the canyon but offers splendid views from above, meanders along the rim for more than 5 miles, with a total elevation change of 550 feet. A .5-mile section between two overlooks—Sunrise and Sunset—is suitable for wheelchairs. Overlooking Bryce Amphitheater, the trail offers excellent views almost everywhere and is a good choice for an early morning or evening walk, when you can watch the changing light on the rosy rocks below.
Sheep Creek Trail
3–5 miles one-way.