While preparing and training for our trip to the US, I spent a lot of time at the gym. During training, I would include a quick walk on the treadmill. This treadmill had a particular option where you can walk on favourite hikes around the globe. I remember selecting the Bryce Canyon hike, and it was love from first sight. This treadmill would feed me facts about Bryce while I walked, learning about the Hoodoos and trail conditions.

Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trail

Grade: Moderate

Distance: 2.6 miles

Elevation: 623 feet

Route Type: Loop

Best time to visit: March until October

They are multiple viewpoints at Bryce, and each view provides incredible views of the Hoodoos. Sunrise and Sunset point deliver the rim area overlooking the hoodoos and surrounding land but walking on the canyon floor is something else. As I walk down into the canyon, I feel as small as an ant. Looking up at hoodoos as they tower over me, each one eroded in a different shape and stage.

The Navajo loop begins be hiking a descent into Wall Street. This area is narrow, and we are surrounded by high rock walls on either side. After gazing up at the scattered Douglas Fir trees around the canyon, from here, you have the option to continue the loop back to the start of the trailhead or continue onto the Queens Garden trail to explore more of the canyon. We choose to continue on as I am absolutely mind-blown. As we hike in, we wind around corners seeing different shapes and size of rock formations, nothing like I have ever seen before.

Hoodoos develop themselves, starting as plateaus and water erodes them over time, creating fins. Once the fins become tall and skinny, holes begin to erode the centre of them, creating a window. After a time, more erosion occurs in the window when finally it will break away, leaving a hoodoo, standing there, beautiful and tall.

The fascinating aspect of this National Park is the sculptures of rock and how time is fundamental to its creation. There is beauty in time. Nature can sometimes be seen as negative in its environment, such as damaging, but such erosion can then unravel real, natural creations that stand tall and different from one another.

After a stroll through the Queen’s Garden it is all uphill from here, with some switchbacks, we arrive at Sunset point where the display of the Bryce Amphitheater showcases all the spikey hoodoos.

Towards the end of the hike, is all paved and somewhat level. This means whatever age, everyone can enjoy this canyon from many viewing areas.

This hike was one of my favourite walks of all time. It is unique and mesmerising to the eye,

Natural Bridge

Bryce Canyon is not all about the Hoodoos, there are some natural arches in the park. Natural Bridge shows off some of the reddest rock of the Clarion Formation, which for everyday people means it is rich in iron oxide minerals. This bridge provides a window out to the Ponderosa forest. This bridge spans over 85 feet. Definitely worth the stop, three quarters into the scenic drive!

Deanne Dwight