After spending several days in Zion National Park I thought it could not get any better….Until the Hoodooos! Bryce Canyon National Park totally took my breath away, the GLORY was everywhere. Now, why haven’t I been here before?
I could not have been more ready, after hiking Zion the day before and staring into the abyss of Bryce Canyon National Park, Fairyland Loop Trial could not come soon enough.
The descent on this 6+ mile trek started at Fairyland Point and finished at Sunrise Point. We actually started hiking down into the canyon so the first few miles were very easy compared to the terrain we normally see on the East Coast.
I was in astonishment seeing the hoodoo, and the walls of red, pink, white and tan. I could just see the Indians living here with such reverence for the land.
I had always envisioned hiking in the west would be the same view continuously, but each turn gave us new stunning sites and I was in awe..
The weather was dry, hot and dusty but we were estatic to be there. Just one foot in front of the other took over and the rhythm of the hike seemed familiar even though we were thousands of miles from home.
Approx 3 miles into the hike we started our climb out of the canyon. Not use to hiking at this elevation, the ascent seemed more difficult than usual. We finished the hike at Sunrise Point 8015 elevation.
Did I mention this was an REI Signature Adventure? If I didn’t before, I want to now, because Bryce Campsite was perfect. We were greeted with a tour of the camp, appetizers and a cold adult beverage.
Even though we were camping we had bathrooms, showers and someone to cook for us. The camp host did an amazing job and our acommodations were comfortable. It was very cool at night (I wore a hat) and very hot during the day.
After a good breakfast and with great anticipation,we were off to Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. Again we filled our bladders (inserts for our packs) with water, applied sunscreen and we were off again, hiking on our next trail. This hike was the Calf Creek Trail which was a little less than 6 miles total.
Even though we were in the same area, there were water fowl and beautiful flowers along the creek, which made it almost appeared to be a different location.
We hiked along the creek for several miles in sandy soil, with very hot and dry conditions. BUT OH when we reached The Falls, it was like an oasis. I felt like John Wayne staggering through the desert and stumbling onto a mirage. OK, a little dramatic, but it was so very refreshing!
Photo Courtesy Fawn Zhang
AND we were finally cool!
Our guides made us a delicious lunch, we jumped in (the water was soooo cold), ok I wondered in and dunked my head, and rested for a few minutes. I thought, how much I enjoyed this hike and if I were in the area again I would not miss this trail!
Then back to camp, for a rose water foot soaking (yes, I didn’t get any photos but wish I had)!
Our trip was coming to a close, and the finale was a morning sunrise, where else but Sunrise Point. We had coffee,watched the sun come over the Hoodoos and then did a short trail.
Photo Courtesy of Fawn Zhang
Photo Courtesy Fawn Zhang
Photo Courtesy Fawn Zhang
Photo courtesy Fawn Zhang
If you haven’t read the first part of our trip please take a look!
Zion National Park – Angels Landing
What an amazing 17th Anniversary, can’t wait until next year. But until then we will be hiking some awesome trails, with amazing vistas. If you would like to receive my post, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter.
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