Bryce Canyon Figure 8 Loop Trail

Jasmin and I traveled from Hawaii to the town of Hatch to hike a canyon that is not a canyon.

We rolled into the thirteenth most visited national park at the crack of dawn with the crisp air hovering around the 28 degree mark. Bone cold.

The scenery was on point, despite missing the sunrise.

Group photo at the 8,015′ lookout spot against the backdrop of endless vistas of multi-colored rock formations.

Following the paved walkway as it curved around the rim of the amphitheater.

The autumn season must be upon us.

Eye candy was everywhere we looked, much to the delight of some nearby Korean tourists.

Heading down into the main amphitheater.

People going down the trail, against the backdrop of the red, orange and white colored hoodoos.

Where you find a trail, switch backs can’t be far behind. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

We followed the sign to the money.

Dropping down into the slot canyon.

Low clearance for Jasmin going through one of many arches on the trail.

Dwarfed by the towering “walls” of red rock. At least I somewhat matched. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno

Looking back as the morning sun “torched” the tips of the hoodoos.

Walking through the short stretch of confined corridor.

Show me the money.

Walking on the canyon floor as the hoodoos towered above us like so many giant termite hills.

Collect all three and win a small prize!

Reaching the junction for the second trail, where we took the left fork as horses travel counter-clockwise on the trail. Traffic engineering.

Making our way up the switch backs, mindful of the horse droppings.

Ponderosa pines framing the rock formations in the distance.

Winding our way through a population of hoodoos, fins and pine trees.

Off trail. Just a bit. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Passing through another arch. Those are not my droppings. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Looking out from underneath a rock overhang. Seats included.

I can’t vouch if those are her droppings or not, as I believe we already passed the pit toilet.

Crossing paths with a trickling stream bed.

I guess acid rain is good for something after all, as it created these “windows” into these sedimentary rock fins.

Wall to wall of fins, hoodoos and windows. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Looking for inspiration. Looking for the cathedral.

Following the source of the water. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Leaving the weathered limestone cliffs behind us.

Climbing our way up through another series of switch backs. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Going through the tunnel that was a mixture of surprise, balanced with expectation.

I see you!

This trail is rated as more strenuous than the other ones found in the canyon due to the relative rapid elevation gain and loss. No pain. No gain.

Descending back down towards the canyon floor.

Walking in our own footsteps.

Jasmin passing through a narrow opening in the rocks.

Where’s Dale?

Going down the side trail to see the rock doppelganger.

I can barely see a passing resemblance to the Queen Victoria statue in London. Who knows, perhaps in time the weathering will change it to Prince Edward?

Heading back to the junction to hike our third and final trail.

Jasmin passing through another arch backlighted by the noon sun.

Making our way up the exposed trail through the scenery of constantly evolving rock formations. Here today. Gone tomorrow.

Passing hoodoos that looked like a pair of flickering Christmas lights.

The rising sun seemed to keep in step with the rising elevation, which allowed me to shed my now stifling down jacket.

Don’t look down.

Climbing our way out of the canyon towards Sunset Point.

One last look at the largest concentration of fairy chimneys found anywhere on this blue spinning planet. Forgot to collect my small reward on the way out for collecting the benchmark photos sprinkled throughout the trail. Another reason to come back.

Our three-trail hike covered 6.67 miles through some amazing scenery that will not soon be forgotten. Post hike meal at Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant. Passed on the taco soup as it was only Monday.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Tagged as: bryce canyon, figure 8 loop, hoodoos, navajo loop, peek-a-boo trail, queens garden trail, silent city, sunrise point, sunset point, thor's hammer, wall of windows, wall street