HIKING THE NAVAJO LOOP IN BRYCE CANYON

Wednesday turned out to be a beautiful day.  Today was the day to hike.  We packed up the backpack and took off.  The Ranger had suggested that we do the Navajo Loop trail and combine it with the trail to the Queen's Garden.  Mr. W had read several peoples' reviews on the hike and everyone said to do it clockwise.  So we did.

We parked at Sunset Point and walked the rim trail to Sunrise Point.  From there, you walked down and it was a very steep walk down.  Since it was pretty, it was crowded.  When we got there, 3 buses had just unloaded people and almost all of them were hiking down this trail. 

I'm ready to go.

The trail - Notice it is narrow and the drop off on one side.

As we walked, we kept coming across unique rock formations on the trail and off the trail.  Because Zion was so pretty, I was really having a problem thinking this scenery was something I liked.  But by now, I was really starting to be awe-struck by all of this too.

The arch isn't made exactly for tall people.

We finally reached the Queen's Garden.  The reason it is called the Queen's Garden is because "The Queen" looks over her garden.  There is a picture of Queen Victoria where she is standing in the same position as the rock formation.  This rock formation is up above a "garden" of other rock formations.

See the Queen?  She is at the top.  To me, it looks like she is standing on the back of a sitting camel that is facing the opposite direction of her.

We kept walking down and finally got down to the floor of the canyon.  There were lots of pine trees.  It was cool and breezy and many shady spots.  Some of the crowd had cleared out so we decided to sit down in a shady spot and have a snack and enjoy the quiet and beauty.

After walking along the floor of the canyon, we started back up.  We reached a spot that is called Wall Street.  I wasn't sure why it was named that, but now I know.

We are walking into Wall Street.  Mr. W is blending in with his orange shirt and orange hat.

Is this place not just amazing?

Looking back down into Wall Street

Then we started the switchbacks back up.  About half way up, I would have paid a lot of money for an oxygen tank! But, I finally made it up.  We arrived back at Sunset Point where we parked.  We had hiked around 3 miles and with stopping to take pictures, get water, and have a snack, we did it in about 2 hours. 

Looking at the walk up

This is about half way up.

I got some more shots when I got to the top. We also saw a Utah prairie dog.  They are very rare.

The prairie dog

Also, on the way out, we saw a road that had another scenic point, Fairyland Point. Mr. W wanted to stop by and see it.  Of course, he sees a tiny, narrow path that takes you out over the highest point, with drop offs on both sides.  How old is this man?  I guess the kid in him still loves the thrill.  I'm just glad that his life insurance is paid up!

See Mr. W?

We went to Capitol Reef National Park today.  I hope to blog about it tomorrow.  However, we are leaving here tomorrow and going to Dead Horse Point State Park.  I'm not sure if we will have internet service.  This place will be a whole new experience for me.