- Highlights: Rock formations, amazing views
- Distance: 2.9 mile loop
- Elevation change: 600 feet
- Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate
- Trailhead Parking: Sunset Point overlook, park shuttle stop # 11
- Website: Bryce National Park
- Beer Pairings: Bryce Canyon Lodge—Wasatch 1st Amendment Lager & Squatters Full Suspension Pale Ale
The Hike:
Keeping with our western theme, we have been to Bryce Canyon several times and this is a great hike. Bryce is famous for hoodoos, tall spires of sandstone that rise up from the canyon floor. This hike begins at the top of the canyon and then winds through the hoodoos to the bottom of the canyon. The trails are well marked.
The trailhead for this hike is at Sunset Point at the edge of the canyon. This hike consists of three trails: Ridge, Queen’s Garden, and Navajo and forms a loop. This hike descends into the canyon and then climbs back up to the rim.
Begin on the Ridge Trail which provides great views of the canyon below. In .5 miles, reach Sunrise Point and the junction with the Queen’s Garden Trail. Turn right and follow the Queen’s Garden Trail down into the canyon.
At about 1.3 miles you will reach a trail junction. Continue to the right to see the Queen. Some say the hoodoo looks like Queen Victoria. Decide for yourself and then retrace your steps back to the junction. Turn right on the Navajo Loop Trail and continue to descend deeper into the canyon.
At 2.2 miles reach another junction. Stay left on the Navajo Loop Trail and begin to climb up to the canyon rim. Pass through Wall Street reaching Sunset Point at 2.9 miles. As an option, continue on the Navajo Loop Trail to the right down into the canyon for about .2 miles to reach Thor’s Hammer on the left. Return to Sunset Point to your vehicle or the park shuttle.
Hike Photos:
Click on an image below for an enlarged view.
Beer Pairing:
Bryce Canyon Lodge is located inside the park just a few miles from the trailhead. They offer nightly cabin rentals, meals, and they have small selection of Utah beers on tap. Two of our favorite Utah craft breweries were on the list: Wasatch and Squatters.
1st Amendment Lager is an easy drinking, refreshing lager made with European style hops and Munich malts. It’s a great summertime happy hour beer. Full Suspension Pale Ale is a Northwest-style Pale Ale and a two-time gold medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival.
Hike and drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Stay safe and be responsible.