Given our many hiking options at Bryce Canyon, I was leaning towards a strenuous route informally called the Figure 8, a combination of three different trails that covered over 6 miles in an estimated 4-5 hours. We started at Sunset Point (best viewed at sunset) on the Navajo trail, which brought us immediately down into the canyon via a serious of switchbacks, and through a narrow gap called Wall Street, featuring some tall trees growing right out of the rock.

We then caught a connection over to the 3 mile Peekaboo loop, so-named we learned by experience because the trail had many ups and downs. Amazing views—but also pretty exhausting. I’d love to know the gross elevation ascended, not just the net. About half way we stopped for lunch, heated up some pre-cooked lentil rice biryani I imported from Trader Joes. And enjoyed a break.

We finished the loop and then caught the flatter Queen’s Garden trail all the way around to the Sunrise Point (best viewed at sunrise) somewhat quicker than we expected. The trail is named that because there’s a hoodoo shaped like Queen Victoria in profile towards the end.

It was late afternoon when we finished, so we took a break from nature to get some internet time in outside the General Store, updated my blog, and researched our options for Thursday.

and literally 300 more…