2021 Spring Tour of the Southwest, 3.31.21 - 4.14.21, Part 6 of 11, Bryce Canyon (con't)
In addition to shooting the sunrise at Bryce Canyon, we were very interested in getting up close and personal with the hoodoos and spires down in the amphitheater. That was another reason why I chose Sunrise Point. Right next to the Point is the trailhead to what is known as the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail. This is a 3.5 mile loop trail and is probably the most popular trail in the park but it was still relatively quiet at 7:30AM in the below freezing temperatures. Once I was satisfied with my session at Sunrise Point we started down the Queen’s Garden Trail. It warmed up quickly in the morning sun and it wasn’t too long before we were down to just our shirts (well we had pants on too). It was a very slow hike since I had to stop every few inches for another photo. One of the things I’ve always marveled at when I saw photos of Bryce was how the early morning sun would make the hoodoos and pillars glow. It almost looked like they were illuminated from within. I was hoping to capture some of that type of light on this morning.
Dropping down into the amphitheater
Even the dirt was beautiful!
The trail had several little tunnels to go through which added to the fun
Looking through one of the tunnels
Such a beautiful hike!
At the bottom of the Queen’s garden Trail where it connects up to the Navajo Loop Trail there are two options to climb back up to the rim. One is called Wall Street but it was closed as it typically is this early in the year. The other is the Two Bridges Trail which we took.
The namesake Two Bridges.
Starting to climb out of the floor of the amphitheater
Looking back down the final stretch of trail that climbs back up to the rim. It looks steep but it’s only about 600’ of elevation gain on mellow switchbacks.
As you climb out of the final switchbacks you come to the most famous pillar in Bryce Canyon called Thor’s Hammer. We must have timed it perfectly because we got lots of the amazing "orange glow” while we were hiking past it.
Thor’s Hammer
Great orange glow on Thor’s Hammer
Looking good for getting up at 3:45AM
Past Thor’s Hammer you climb back up to the rim at a different viewpoint called Sunset Point. From here it is a short half mile walk along the rim back to Sunrise Point and the car. As I shot the amphitheater from Sunset Point I was shooting to the north and I couldn’t help but notice that all the south facing slopes had no snow on them so I was very glad I chose Sunrise Point for my sunrise shots.
Looking north from Sunset Point
Part 7 is next