It seem not complete for me if I did not walk some trail in this wonderland with Hoodoos, hence with limited time left (allocation of around 3 hours) for us before heading back Chandler, we decided to get advice directly from the visitor center. The ranger without much hesitation, direct us to go for Queen Garden Loop + Navajo Loop for the most popular trail in Bryce Canyon. Following the map, we parked the car at Sunrise Point and quickly start our journey into the Hoodoos!
Our trail start from here, Sunrise Point.
Deciduous and Bryce Canyon.
All the way flat toward the trail head.
Can't wait to get closer with these wonders.
Here we go, trail head for Queens Garden Loop!
It was like another world walking on these trail close up into these Hoodoos, and the surrounding rock formation. I really have to praise the quality of the maintenance in US national park seriously, full of clear direction and details to ensure you won't get lost walking on this trail, and the track was almost perfect and safe to walk around! Half way into Queen Garden Loop, we discovered that there is a trademark Queen Victoria hoodoo that truly look like it was a queen standing on top of the small hill. From the signboard detail as well, we realized that there are three similar landmark nearby hence we decided to cover all of it before leaving.
Descending down to the heart of the park.
Picture worth a thousand words to describe the beauty of this place.
Can't help but to get a shot of myself this wonderful scenery.
Well maintained trail, surrounding by these weird shape of rocks.
Another gap between rocks that display the beauty of Hoodoos here.
Sitting side by side with your love one while enjoying the spectacular view.
Sunlight flare reflected on top of the rocks.
Fairyland Loop trail will walk you through the Hoodoos far opposite of the trail that we took.
This toad like rock keep haunted me along the trail with its eyes.
Father and son exploring the beauty of these Hoodoos.
Crossing the tunnel on the trail.
Just felt somebody is staring at me from far, who was that?
Well, is that toad like rock again, with its two huge eyes!
Another tunnel to pass on Queen Garden Loop trail.
Felt like lots of people standing tall scattered around the park.
Trademark of Queen Garden Loop was in this photo, can you spot it?
The hint of the trademark, Queen Victoria Hoodoo.
Here you go, zoom in shot of Queen Victoria Hoodoo. Closest I can get with my wide lens, is time to get a zoom lens?
Continue to walk our trail into intersection with Navajo Loop.
Narrow path between reddish rocks.
The second trademark, we have to take off route into Peekaboo Loop in order to search for it, but unexpectedly it was a quite steep uphill route all the way to the trademark spot. Although quite exhausted, but we still happy manage to see the trademark here, which happen to be twisted trunk of the Ponderosa Pine tree. From certain angle, I thought it was a huge snake circular the tree instead!
To discover trademark in Peekaboo Loop, we took the left trail and return to same intersection later on.
Lens flare over Hoodoos.
It took quite some unexpected effort to hike up Peekaboo Loop, hence celebrating for a while.
This rock looks like world cup trophy!
These colors of these Hoodoos looks extremely beautiful when pairing with the sunlight.
Is that body of a giant snake twisting the trunk?
Hell no! This was the twisted Ponderosa Pine tree which exactly the trademark here in Peekaboo Loop.
The look of the trademark from another angle, still thought it was giant snake body.
Love the Hoodoos formation here, last peek before moving back to Navajo Loop.
Timing does matter to get these lens flare shot.
We then taking the same route back to Navajo Loop, and the trademark here was the melting rock formation in a line. Melting snow and torrential rain erode the softer stone and carry it downhill, leaving behind these massive slabs of standing rock. Continue our plan to exit the trail via Sunset Point through Wall Street, and I am really glad with Ranger's recommendation, as this final ascend via Wall Street is very impressive and beautiful, especially the reddish color of the surrounding rocks hit by the afternoon sunlight. After following quite some zigzag route toward the top, we also glad to saw one of the most famous landmark here in Bryce Canyon, the Thor Hammer! Flat all the way from Sunset Point, we walk our way back to grab our car and is time for the superb long drive again.
Final trademark of the day, the massive slabs of standing rock via Navajo Loop.
It will be much gorgeous when it is covered with snow as shown by the board.
The trail getting narrow when approaching Wall Street.
A tree within tree.
A valley of fire.
Narrow path along the Wall Street.
The ascending route is ahead of us.
The countless zigzag trail to follow all the way back to Sunset Point.
Blue blue sky on the top of the valley.
It was quite crowded here via Wall Street.
Another tunnel to cross before reaching Sunrise Point.
Basically Wall Street trail walk you through that narrow path between these magnificent rocks formation.
Another stunning view on countless Hoodoos here from Sunrise Point.
The very middle of the photo was the Thor's Hammer, you can also see the reflected shadow that easier to spot.
The flat trail all the way back to Sunset Point.
Bye for now, beautiful Bryce Canyon National Park! Wish to re-visit again when it is covered with snow!
RELIVE - Bryce Canyon Trek
Bonus Scenario:
On the way back Chandler from Bryce Canyon, I follow MAPS.ME suggestion to follow a route through Cottonwood Canyon road which final 18 miles was unpaved road before connecting to the main road. 18 miles still all right hence we just keep on going with the route, and the sky are getting dark and darker. Nightmare approach when it was a mistake by me interpreting the map, as there is still another interchange of unpaved road after the initial 18 miles. At this point, I hardly can judge how long it will take us truly back to main paved road anymore, but we don't have a choice but have to stick with it. Nearly final 1-2 hours, we are driving in total darkness of unknown surrounding, but still glad that there is some moon light that escort us through this journey. End up, the total distance of the unpaved road was nearly 40 miles, and it take us nearly 3-4 hours before relive that we are back to Highway 89, truly one hell of an experience.
The mini Bryce Canyon airport.
Taking the suggested route from MAPS.ME to get ourself back to Chandler.
Still have car coming in opposite lane, nothing to be worry of yet.
Start to feel suspicious entering this part of Cottonwood Canyon road.
Sun still shine brightly hence we still feel all right to proceed with the route.
Color tone warmer mean that dawn is near.
Somewhere on the Cottonwood Canyon road, in fact it was quite gorgeous along the way.
My car and Beng Hooi on Cottonwood Canyon road.
That straight long unpaved road signal that we still have long way to continue before leaving this area.
Wefie in the middle of nowhere and nobody else.
Night approaching, and we are still not make our way back to main road, at least a paved one.
At least the bright moon accompany us along the way.
Finally, took this photo before turn it into the Highway 89! Luckily fuel was sufficient or else I can't imagine what we going to do as the no phone signal throughout this journey.
Conclusion, the shortest route not always the best route even though it is traffic free. This time spend prediction was not accurate at all!
Bryce Canyon National Park - USA
October 2017
