November 1, 2019

By Tim Briese

3.8 miles, 800’ elevation gain, 1:45 roundtrip time

Bryce Canyon is a colorful rocky fantasyland like no other. I had stopped here on previous trips to view it from overlooks but this time I hiked down into the heart of the rocky formations for a close-up view. I inquired at the entrance station about the best scenic hike in the park and was directed to the Queens Garden Trail. The park was not as crowded as usual on this beautiful November day so I was able to drive in and find a parking spot near one of the main overlooks, instead of using the shuttle that hauls most tourists in during busier times. I embarked from the Sunrise Point overlook and headed down the Queens Garden Trail, in the company of many other hikers, many of whom hailed from foreign lands.

looking down from the rim

heading down the trail

The smooth and wide path descended steeply down into the wonderland. I hiked down into the Queens Garden area, named for a rock formation that resembles Queen Victoria.

a rocky wonderland

looking back up at the rim

the trail went through this tunnel cut through the rock

the queen victoria formation is near the center of the photo, not as imposing as i supposed it would be

a zoom photo of her majesty, which certainly resembles renderings of her that i have seen

Then I continued on another trail that continued generally southeast to a junction with the Navajo Loop Trail, which I hiked back up to the Sunset Point overlook.

looking up at spires towering above

looking back down at switchbacks in the trail that i came up

hikers on switchbacks of another trail, the wall street trail

i walked over to look at the view through this rock window

From Sunset Point it was an easy half mile stroll along the rim back to the place where I had parked.

back on the rim looking down at trails through the rock formations

the rim trail i hiked from sunset point, at the left

This is a highly recommended short scenic adventure.