Our first day we went to Bryce Canyon. We woke up and had breakfast together, packed our lunches & snacks and were on the road by 7:45am. The views along the way were immense. The closer we got the more ready we were to get out of the car.
We stopped at one pull off before the park and took some photos in Dixie National Forest. I wanted to get moving though because I wasn’t sure about parking and wanted to get a spot.
We did stop at the Bryce Canyon Welcome sign too because we knew that would be fast for a photo op!
It took us about 1hr 45min to get to the park, so a little before 9am and we were lucky enough to find parking at Sunset Point.
*One thing I messed up here was the altitude. I did not realize Bryce is the highest out of all the parks we were going to visit, and we should not have started so high due to altitude sickness and not being properly acclimated. NOTE: elevation in order goes – Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon.
Since we had been in the car for so long, we ate some snacks and hydrated, looked at the map and started toward the Navajo Loop Trail. This trail is 1.3miles and is 550ft climbing/descending.
I also mistakenly thought this would be a nice day for hiking and a good “starter” trail. This, however, was intense and a total quad/ham burner. We started off with a series of switchbacks that took us the whole way down and it was fun while we headed down… the sights are unique toadstools of sandy oranges and reds. Layering lines run through the sights. The Navajo Trail took us down into the amphitheater where we ended the descent in a shadowed cavern that was nice and cool. There is a Douglas Fir at the end that immediately makes you look up after you’ve come down so far.
We came out of the lower canyon and headed to the trail end… we couldn’t do the whole loop because the 2nd half of the loop was closed. WHICH MEANS – we had to walk back up those switchbacks! Yay! Hah!
Our ascent back to Sunset point was tough as the day had become a lot warmer and the elevation started to play tricks on us. We all stopped numerous times along the trial to hydrate and check our heartrates. Hah. The stops had nothing to do with strength but moreso endurance.
With stops and views and photos on the way we made it back to the top & were soaked from sweat.
This is also a good time to tell you my mom bought us all matching “The Adventure Starts Now” shirts… so we all wore ours and she switched out of hers FAST to a tank top!!?
After the Navajo trail we stopped back at the car for snacks and to replenish our water. As we were finishing, we couldn’t find our dad. We thought he was in the bathroom and waited and waited and waited… I finally went to the car and on my way back to the picnic table I found him on a bench napping!!
With everyone awake and suited up we started on the Rim Trail (which overlooks the whole canyon) which is just unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
We walked all the way to Sunrise Point which is the highest spot on the Rim Trail. From here we went down a little way to the Queen’s Garden Loop but by the time we got here I was feeling the altitude sickness (headache) kick in. I went down maybe a fraction of the way, took some photos and went back up by myself.
It had been about 3 hours and with the altitude we were pretty much toast after only 3 hours. I guess we were just not prepared. We enjoyed the visitors center (which was packed / hard to park) and got a few souvenirs.
Notes:
- Next time we need more food, snacks, water – Take more than you think you’ll need!
- Know before you go!
- Navajo was a 10U in my opinion/ some people had their kids on this and they were dying then the parents had to carry them up.
- Shoes:
- Chocos were ok / sandals should have a toe holder for decline
- Must have traction
- Wool socks were great! Keeps your feet cool and dry
- Bring extra clothes in the car/ it warmed up fast/ layer
- Stop for photos on the way down – you won’t want to stop on the way up for anything
- Pace yourself
Quotes:
- “Bryce must not have liked very many people to head all the way down here.” – Dad on the Navajo Loop Trail
- “This is so pretty. I just feel like I’m going to cry. Thanks for taking me.” – Mom
- “Dee, stay away from the edge!!!” – Dad