Hiking Amongst Red Rocks

In an effort not to overwhelm you with red rocks, I have delayed this next post until today. Same canyon, same day, different event.
We wanted to enjoy a moderate hike while in Bryce. This one was recommended. However, immediately prior to beginning, our Graduate re-injured her foot where she had been recovering from a stone bruise. We were afraid that she would be unable to make the 3 mile journey and, worse case scenario, not be able to come up out of the canyon. Our Farmer Girl didn't really want to go as she surveyed the path down.We didn't really want the graduate to be alone so we had them stay at the top together. (More on their adventures later.)  This was purportedly the world's best three mile hike although I can't say I have done any further research to confirm this assertion. It was also recommended that we do it in a clockwise fashion so we did. We said our good byes and shared our walkie talkies with the girls so we could stay in contact (no cell phone reception here) and headed down. This is our hike in pictures (the girls, especially the graduate, the one unable to come who wanted to come, asked us to take lots in an effort to show her what she missed!) They promised to join us at the other end.

It was cool to be down amongst the red rocks and see them up close. Our descent was gradual although continually downhill. We kept passing people of all ages, some having more difficulty than others, but almost all huffing and puffing as they ascended.

This was called the Queen's Gate. Kind of looks like a castle.....

Through the gate and around the corner.....kind of scary with the precipice in the background and the slippery ground.

Love this view through the next tunnel.

The other gate of the Queen's.......

Can you tell I was the one in the back? I kept stopping to take pictures. This hike was great as it was not difficult at all and we wished the girls had been able to join us. We were thinking we were wise to take it in a clockwise fashion as recommended. Everyone we passed were still going UPHILL. We knew our turn would come, but we were thinking it would be less. 

This was the Queen's Garden above. Do you see the queen at the top? Supposedly, Queen Victoria although she has been exposed to the elements and has experienced some erosion.

This area was amazing....full of rock towers and the arches were especially great. They were everywhere. In trees, on branches, on logs, on the ground....I wish I knew the story of how they came to be there or how it got started. Did it start with just one? and then one by one it grew to this amazing garden of rock towers? We didn't take the time to stop and build one of our own though.

We had come over two miles...all the time in a gradual descent. We knew we had a 1/2 mile steep switchback trail ahead of us, but were thankful we had come this way as none of it had been too difficult and all of it amazingly beautiful and enjoyable. We began a slow ascent and met others who had come through the slip rock canyon and called it "eye candy".

My small contribution to the rock towers in the crook of a tree at a spot where we stopped to rest and re-energize for the walk up and out. (remember it was hot, hotter than we were used to too).

Heading up the canyon at a slow pace. He remarked that one friend of ours, Nathan, would have loved this hike. I think his entire family would have.

 A peak through the canyon to the blue sky above.

The slip rock canyon begins. By this time, the girls had called us and had all ready made their descent into this canyon area. They were heading back up and out, but were waiting on us.

The switchback......

Very narrow and steep, but only for s short distance. There was a warning at the beginning saying that it was possible for rocks from above to fall and hurt those below. THAT was a little disconcerting to read!

We had spied the girls from below. They took this shot of us once we reached them. Halfway there and resting for a moment. Do we look winded? We were taking it steady and slow, nice and easy with lots of water breaks.

A view into the canyon we had ascended. Almost done.

A final spot to rest and enjoy the view. And, below a final shot of whence we had come. It was a wonderful hike and Bob said it was probably one of the best he had ever done. I will have to check out that rating though! I know I would rate it as one of my top ten favorites hikes of any length! Stay tuned for more adventures amongst the red rocks!