Figure 8 Loop (Queens Garden, Peek-A-Boo, and Navajo Trails) at Bryce Canyon National Park

Hike: Queens Garden/Peek-A-Boo/Navajo (Figure 8) Loop

Hike Difficulty: Strenuous

Hike Distance (Round Trip): 6.5 miles

Elevation Change: 3570 feet total gain; 3574 feet total loss (starting at about 8,000 feet)

If you are in Bryce Canyon for one day and want to go on one spectacular hike that gives you a sense of all the park has to offer, this is your hike! We arrived on a Sunday afternoon, so we were worried that the trails were going to be a bit crowded. And the Queens Garden and Navajo portions of this hike were (for good reason!), but the good thing is you get to soak in the Peek-A-Boo Loop with very little company. 

The park's brochure shares a pretty clear message: wear shoes with good traction (i.e. hiking boots). We only had our running shoes, and it is true that the dirt is pretty slippery. I saw people on the Navajo Trail with straight tennis shoes with zero traction behaving completely insane. I highly recommend decent shoes (and steering clear of the crazy not-so-experienced hikers!)

We didn't really do this trail as a Figure 8. We just did the loop counter-clockwise. To begin, we started at Sunset Point and walked toward Sunrise Point along the Rim Trail until we found the sign for Queens Garden Trail and began our descent. (Tip: There were lots of people sitting around the sign, so look carefully or you may miss it!)

Obviously, we had plenty of sunscreen and wore hats because that sun was strong! But I really enjoyed the contrast between the orange/red rock and the blue, blue sky in the middle of the day.

At the bottom of the canyon, we reached a junction that was rather confusing for us (lots of people and multiple trail signs). I believe there are three options. We went left to head toward Peek-A-Boo Trail (straight or right take you on the Navajo Loop). 

At Peek-A-Boo Loop, we took the left trail and went clockwise. I think more people take the trail the other way (for a true figure 8), so we felt like we had the trail to ourselves for a good portion of it. I can't imagine the other way would offer more views and/or be any easier, so I guess it's up to you!

Peek-A-Boo Loop is 3 miles long and climbs and descends a lot (exact numbers on various websites/blogs are conflicting because people start in different places and include different trails in their hike. Just trust me....lots of climbing on this one!)

A peek at the Wall of Windows

When I came around the corner to this view, I literally gasped. I don't know that I've ever had that reaction hiking before. This spot literally (and yes, I'm using this word correctly) took my breath away. I can't even begin to describe how incredibly grand the wall of windows is. Please go check it out for yourself because my pictures don't come close to doing it justice.

Once we completed the Peek-A-Boo Loop, we headed back on the trail towards Navajo and Queens Garden. At the same junction as earlier, we took a left towards Wall Street. I completely understand why the Navajo Loop/Wall Street is a popular hike at the park. It is incredible. However, the massive crowds and irresponsible hikers really detracted from my experience. I definitely still enjoyed it, but it certainly wasn't the spiritual experience I had 45 minutes before on Peek-A-Boo Loop.

I believe these are Douglas Fir trees.

Where's Waldo?

I realize my pictures make the trail look not crowded. I do this on purpose so I can appreciate what is meant to be beautiful. But trust me, there were people in slippery tennis shoes pushing their way up the 28 switchbacks. 

The switchbacks are steep. And with as many people as there were, I highly recommend doing this loop the way we did it, and finishing the loop going up these switchbacks. Seems more enjoyable and safer to me. 

After the hike, we headed back to our campsite at Sunset Campground, but went back to Sunset Point to "watch the sunset". I use quotes because you are not looking west, in the direction of the sun setting. However, it was still beautiful to watch the sky change and the sun shine on the Bryce Amphitheater in all its glory. A perfect end to a near perfect day!

Utah's Scenic Byways 24 and 12

A couple weeks before heading out on our cross country road trip, we realized we would most likely end up in Bryce Canyon National Park on a Saturday afternoon/evening. I knew how quickly first-come/first-serve national park campgrounds fill up, so I decided to figure out an alternate plan for Saturday night. However, no hotels, bed and breakfasts, or airbnb options could be found right around Bryce Canyon. 

And I'm so glad for that! I ended up stumbling across this awesome airstream resort in Escalante (about an hour outside of Bryce Canyon). Shooting Star Drive in and Resort was such a perfect mix between camping and hotel staying. We got a shower and a bed to sleep in, but also cooked outside and watched the sunset over the mountains with absolutely no one else around. Plus, booking our stay at the airstream resort on Saturday night changed our route from Moab to Bryce Canyon. Google maps originally suggested I-70 to Highway 89 as the quickest way to Bryce; however when has the quickest way ever been the best?! This definitely held true on this terrific road tripping day. Scenic Highway 12 was one of the most beautiful roads I've ever been on. And Highway 24 before that goes right through the best of Capitol Reef National Park (I guess I don't know that it was the best since we only ventured about a mile off the road, but it was spectacular!)

Tip: Make sure you fill up your tank in Moab (and probably stock up on snacks), because gas stations are few and far between on this route! 

Reference: Utah Office of Tourism Website: http://travel.utah.gov/scenicbyway/

24 and 26: Canyonlands and Arches National Park

15: Capitol Reef National Park

16: Shooting Star Airstream Resort

From Moab, we took I-70 west past Green River and then headed south on Highway 24. We continued on Highway 24 by heading west at Hanksville (this is where the official scenic byway begins but it's pretty interesting before this too) and got to Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park about 2 1/2 hours after leaving Moab. After a short hike and a stop at the visitor's center in Capitol Reef, we continued on our way west on Highway 24 and then began heading south on Highway 12 through Dixie National Forest before arriving in Escalante about 2 1/2 hours later (really estimating here but we took our time stopping at vista points).

Hike: Hickman Bridge at Capitol Reef National Park

Hike Difficulty: Easy 

Hike Distance (Round Trip): 2 miles

Time (Round Trip): 1 hour 

(maybe a little longer if you plan to stop and appreciate everything!)

The trailhead parking lot is easy to access and has two pit toilets. It is about 2 miles east of the visitor's center and on the north side of the road (well marked). Most of the trail is in the sun, so make sure to wear that sun protection! 

The first part of the trail is crazy because there is a big sign that basically says it's a rock fall area and you aren't allowed to stop until you get past that section (two pictures down you can see that area). The beginning of the trail is easy to spot and right along the Fremont river.

The trail ascends through lava rock spattered fields. These lava pieces were moved into the Capitol Reef area by glaciers and mudflow and rounded from the tumbling in this process. 

Hickman Bridge (125 feet top to bottom and 133 feet from left to right)

Vista Point along Highway 12 in Dixie National Forest

Sugar's Shack - Our airstream was decorated like Marilyn Monroe's trailer for Some Like It Hot

Made ourselves some dinner on our propane grill (be sure to bring food for grilling because the stove inside doesn't work).

The airstream resort rents these classic cars and will play a movie that you select and bring you candy and popcorn to the car. We were asleep pretty early, or we totally would've done this! 

We seemed to have the whole place to ourselves, so enjoyed rehearsing for our friends' wedding while watching the sun set on a great day.

Sunset from the airstream