Exploring Utah - Bryce Canyon - Queens/Navajo Combination Loop

At only 55 square miles (35,835 acres), Bryce Canyon is the smallest of our National Parks, however, it is also one of the most unique. Bryce Canyon is known for its Hoodoos; odd shaped rock formations left due to the erosion from wind and water.

And there is nowhere in the park that quite showcases these Hoodoos quite like the Bryce Amphitheater.

The Bryce Amphitheater is the heart of Bryce Canyon. You get there by going south on Highway 63 from Highway 12 and going through the main entrance into Bryce Canyon National Park. You will need to pay the entry fee.

Highway 63 is a 15 mile long road that runs through Bryce Canyon National Park and dead ends at Rainbow Point. It is the primary access road to the park.

From the park entrance, the road will pass the Bryce Visitor Center and after approximately 2 miles, there will be a turnoff for Sunrise Point. Find parking in the Sunrise Point area. There is a fantastic little general store here that will have almost any supplies you would want for the day.

After getting supplies, the trail will head up a paved path to Sunrise Point -- which features amazing views of the Bryce Amphitheater area. From here, there are dozens of options for trails and routes. One popular route is just to follow the Rim Trail that is a paved path along the entire Rim. It's 11 miles in total length, but the walk from Sunrise Point to Sunset Point is about 1 mile and lovely if you're not up for a hearty hike. There will be a lot of people here as this is a popular stroll for the tour bus crowds.

However, there is another popular loop that starts off at this Sunrise Point that travels down through the valley and offers amazing views of the heart of Bryce Canyon. The trail follows the Queens Garden Trail into the valley where it connects with the Navajo Loop and then climbs back up to Sunset Point -- and then follows the Rim Trail to the parking area. You can see the trail in the photo above - -and it's very easy to follow.

The trail heads down into the valley and winds in and out of a variety of hoodoo formations -- definitely giving hikers a different perspective of the hoodoos and the Amphitheater valley.

So, a quick note about photography in Bryce Canyon. It's a desert -- and there are limited trees and sun in abundant. In addition to the need to wear a lot of sunscreen, these conditions make photography a huge challenge. I highly recommend using a sun shade for your camera lens if you have one. Also, if you are really into photography and don't mind spending a little money, a good filter that can help filter out some of the light will be helpful as well.

Since I'm a better hiker than photographer, I had neither of these things which made it challenging to get some of the pics I wanted. It also created some challenging moments when I was shooting with one hand and holding my hat in the other to prevent sun spots. I also didn't end up with many good shots facing South.

I wouldn't feel too sorry for me though -- as I still ended up with hundreds of photos as it seemed that there were amazing views and incredible rock formations at almost every direction I turned.

The trail continues down into the valley. At one point it will intersect with the horse trail at the bottom, so it will be important to be sure you follow the main trail. There will be a lot of people on the main trail, so it was easy enough for us to follow.

Keep an eye out for the bristlecone pine trees - -some of which are up to 1600 years old!

Have I mentioned the really cool Hoodoos?

Once the trail intersects with the horse trail, the trail turns back toward the the rim - and a lot more cool views and hoodoos.

And even through a couple of tunnels.

After about 1 mile of hiking (yes, all of these photos are within a 1 mile hike -- did I mention it's scenic?) the trail arrives at the Queens Garden -- which a really relaxing place with a spectacular view of some of the most majestic rock formations in the valley. At Queens Garden, the trail has descended 357 feet into the canyon.

From the Queens Garden, take the Queens Garden Connector Trail as it flows further to the canyon floor.

This section of trail flows through tall pines that create nice shade and really interesting views of the hoodoos from the canyon floor.

As the trail reaches the canyon floor, it will eventually reach an intersection. This intersection is the connection to the Navajo Loop.

The section to the right goes up past a lot of rock formations, including the very popular Thor's Hammer. The trail to the left heads up through Wall Street. We chose to do the route through Wall Street.

The route through Wall Street goes through a high-walled canyon before hitting a series of switchbacks that climb 600 feet from the canyon floor to Sunset Point.

The 600 feet climb is a challenging one at 8,000 feet elevation, but the views are fantastic and Wall Street is visually stunning. Take your time climbing, and look back at what you have accomplished.

After making the accent. The trail arrives at Sunset Point. Take in the views of Sunset Point, and then follow the paved Rim Trail back to Sunrise Point and your vehicle.