June 29, 2018 - Bryce Canyon

It was just a short distance from Rubys Inn to Bryce Canyon NP.  We found a parking spot not too far from the trail head.  Our plan was to start at Sunrise Point and hike the Queen's Garden Trail down into the Canyon, then back up the Navajo Loop Trail to Sunrise Point.  (colored in yellow below)

But it didn't take too long to get to the junction of Queens Garden/Navajo Loop/Peekaboo Loop.  We were feeling strong and it was still early so we decided to go down Peekaboo Loop (colored blue below).
   
Ready to go!  We are at the rim, near Sunrise Point, about ready to head down into the canyon on Queens Garden Trail.
   
Almost immediately we encountered spectacular views.
   
Check out the roots on those trees.  Life finds a way.
   
 
   
 
   
Sorry for so many pictures, but the scenery was just so mind-boggling, I couldn't stop taking pictures.  As I always say, don't cost nuthin.
   
A one point, these two guys pulled out a drone and were flying it around.  This is, of course, forbidden in National Parks.  It wasn't too long until someone told them they weren't supposed to be doing that.  They used the George Costanza defense:  Was that wrong?  If I had known that was wrong I would never have done it!
   
There were quite a few people on the trail at first but it gradually thinned out.
   
Unreal.
   
The trail went through the rock via a door-tunnel.
   
 
   
 
   
Hole in the wall.
   
That have some crazy rocks around here!
   
We decided to try the Peekaboo Loop trail and eventually got to the point where we might as well continue around the entire loop.
   
 
   
 
   
That's Bryce Point, where we were last evening at sunset.  You can just see the people up here.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Twin natural bridges.
   
We both agreed this was the best scenery of the entire trip so far.
   
 
   
 
   
Huffing and puffing after coming up some steep switchbacks.
   
A pedestrian tunnel.
   
We pretty much had the park to ourselves at this point.
   
 
   
 
 
   
The trail leads out to "The Cathedral"
   

I guess this was "The Cathedral".
   
 
   
Looking back towards the rim from "The Cathedral".
   
 
   
We had enjoyed the hike but we were getting tired.  We knew we still had to climb out of the Canyon up to the rim.  The last part of the trail out is called "Wall Street".  I never found out why it is called Wall Street.  Maybe it is because we were walking alongside these giant hoodoos.
   
Then we came to a long stretch of steep switchbacks.  It was now afternoon, and the sun was beating down on us.  It was gut check time!
   
But finally the end was in sight!
   
Looking down at the switchbacks with little shade.
   
On top, at Sunset Point.
   
One last look down in the Canyon.
   
Lynnette has had enough.  We hiked about 8 1/2 miles today, plus a lot of up and down.
   
 
 
   
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