Our day was not over yet, so we dropped in to the Red Canyon Visitor Center to get some ideas for another hike in the area. I had an interest in the tunnel trail, but somebody’s legs were burnt out, so we decided on the slipper friendly hike instead. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Trailhead

We drove down Highway 12 and snagged one of the few remaining spots left in the parking area and started our short stroll through Water Canyon.

Tropic Ditch

Crossing over the tropic ditch that is fed by the Sevier River.

Tropic Ditch

Walking on the dirt path that parallels the ditch.

A Bridge Too Near

Another bridge crossing.

Junction

Making our way to the shelter cave.

Mossy Cave

No moss. No icicles. Come back another time.

Junction

Heading our way up to the waterfall.

Waterfall

There she flows.

Waterfall

Does anybody want to go to the bathroom?

Tropic Ditch

Looking downstream.

Tropic Ditch

I went upstream as far as my slippers would keep me dry and then turned around.

Chinese Dragon

The rock formations I was seeking. Trail closed.

Tropic Ditch

Dipping my big toe to gauge the water temperature. No skinny dipping. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Waterfall

Get closer! Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Waterfall

Behind the curtain of water.

Tropic Ditch

Irrigating the towns of Tropic and Cannonville since 1892.

All pau

Last chance to use the bathroom before the long, scenic drive back to our motel.

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.

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

Sunrise Point

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.

Sunrise Point

The scenery was on point, despite missing the sunrise.

Sunrise Point

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

Canyon Rim

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

Fall colors

The autumn season must be upon us.

Canyon Rim

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

Navajo Loop

Heading down into the main amphitheater.

Thor’s Hammer

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

Navajo Loop

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

Wall Street

We followed the sign to the money.

Wall Street

Dropping down into the slot canyon.

Wall Street

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

Wall Street

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

Wall Street

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

Wall Street

Walking through the short stretch of confined corridor.

Wall Street

Show me the money.

Navajo Loop

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

Benchmark

Collect all three and win a small prize!

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

Ponderosa pines framing the rock formations in the distance.

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

Looking out from underneath a rock overhang. Seats included.

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

Crossing paths with a trickling stream bed.

Wall of Windows

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

Wall of Windows

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

Looking for inspiration. Looking for the cathedral.

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Wall of Windows

Leaving the weathered limestone cliffs behind us.

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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

Peek-A-Boo Loop

I see you!

Peek-A-Boo Loop

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.

Peek-A-Boo Loop

Descending back down towards the canyon floor.

Navajo Loop

Walking in our own footsteps.

Navajo Loop

Jasmin passing through a narrow opening in the rocks.

Chipmunk

Where’s Dale?

Queens Garden

Going down the side trail to see the rock doppelganger.

Queens Garden

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?

Queens Garden Trail

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

Queens Garden Trail

Jasmin passing through another arch backlighted by the noon sun.

Queens Garden Trail

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

Queens Garden Trail

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

Queens Garden Trail

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

Queens Garden Trail

Don’t look down.

Queens Garden Trail

Climbing our way out of the canyon towards Sunset Point.

All pau

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.

GPS Tracks

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.