Queen's Garden Navajo Loop

After hiking the amazing Fairyland Loop yesterday, our plan for today was to stop at the visitor's center, get Frankie a Junior Ranger booklet, and ask a ranger for a recommendation for a good, shorter hike in the main Bryce Amphitheater.  The ranger emphatically recommended the Queen's Garden-Navajo Loop, which at 3.0 miles with less than 600 feet elevation gain, was perfect for our easy hike (despite the rating of "moderate to strenuous" on the National Geographic map).  We also learned that Frankie would once again be required to attend a ranger-led program in order to complete the Junior Ranger program.  I do find the ranger programs interesting, and we always learn a lot...  My only issue is that we came here to hike, and the available ranger program options are very limited, in April anyway.  However, Frankie very much wanted to be sworn in as a Bryce Canyon Junior Ranger, so we made it work for him. 

There was a geology talk scheduled at Sunset Point at 2 pm.  The Queen's Garden-Navajo Loop can be started from either Sunset Point or Sunrise Point.  We decided that rather than start at Sunset Point, as recommended, we would start at Sunrise Point.  This meant we'd have a much steeper climb out, but by hiking clockwise instead of counterclockwise, we could hike down into the canyon, visit Queen's Garden, and then hike back up the Navajo Trail, hopefully arriving at Sunset Point in time for the geology talk.

starting out at Sunrise Point

balance beam

heading down into the canyon

This morning while we were at the visitor's center, Frankie "adopted" an endangered Utah prairie dog, which he then carried with him on the hike.  It was so stinking cute!

it's a good thing this sign explained the Queen reference, as I never would have identified her without it

fearless nuthatch

The Navajo Trail between the Queen's Garden Trail and Sunset Point is very dramatic.  The hoodoo colors are a super-saturated reddish color, and the trail climbs steeply up tight switchbacks through a narrow canyon.  The temperature is much higher inside the close walls of the canyon, with no breeze or air movement.  Unfortunately, this section of trail was also very crowded.  I am glad that people are here enjoying the park -- people will not protect what they do not value, and it would be impossible to come to this beautiful place and not appreciate it's glory.  However, crowds don't inspire me, so I don't have many pictures here. 

Two Bridges formation

At the top of the switchbacks, the views opened up again.  There was still some climbing to do to get to the rim, but it felt cooler already just feeling the wind.  We joined the throngs taking selfies and group portraits with the dramatic hoodoo views behind us.    

Thor's hammer formation

And then we were back at the rim, with perfect timing.  We had time to visit the restrooms and wash up (Frankie's hands were red with dust), then claim prime seats in the little amphitheater on the rim and eat our sandwiches before the talk began.  After the talk was over, it was time for Frankie to complete his remaining Junior Ranger requirements.  This is the busiest, most crowded part of the park, so Frankie had no trouble rounding up 10 pieces of litter.  Then, we had just the super-easy 0.5 rim walk back to Sunrise Point to complete the loop.  We promised Frankie that once we got a little further away from the parking lot and crowds, we'd find a shady bench for him to work on the activity pages.  Erwin and I just hung out and enjoyed the view. 

drawing hoodoos

Then we hiked back to the car and went straightaway to the visitor's center so Frankie could take his oath.  After swearing in, he wanted to check out the exhibits -- this kid loves reading signs -- and was thrilled to discover a human-sized prairie dog habitat display. 

Frankie loved the interactive prairie dog exhibit

If I only had one day in Bryce Canyon National Park, I would chose the Fairyland Loop over this one, every time, as it was far less crowded.  But the Queen's Garden-Navajo Loop is certainly worth hiking if time allows.  I am sure there are many other worthy trails waiting to be explored, as well.  I was honestly afraid Bryce would be something of a let down, coming on the heels of Zion's grandeur, but I could not have been more wrong.  It's such a different kind of beauty, there is no direct comparison.  I feel like Bryce is in a category of its own; it's truly otherworldly.