Queens Garden Navajo Trail Bryce Canyon

Yes!

Looking down on thor's Hammer, the most famous hoodoo.

Before I came I thought hoodoos were voodoos.

One of the many arches.  And one of the many lonely trees.

Hoodoo up close

I like these guys

Hoodoos, sand and a lonely tree.  Bryce.

Check out those roots

A couple more hoodoos

E.T. phone home

King & Queen?

Sometimes the trail goes through the hoodoos

Miniature hoodoos!  (Man-made)

Pines are welcome in the desert

Beautiful landscape

Wall street.  At least this one is nice.

After feeling my life imploding around me, it would be perfect timing to head for the great southwestern scenery.  Listening to the AM radio station for Bryce, it advertised the Queens Garden Navajo Loop as "arguably the greatest trail in the world."  That's saying something.

I most certainly would not argue that it's the greatest.  But this is not to say that the walk was anything less than exhilarating.  If you took a foto every second, it would not be enough.  The beautiful red rock pressed up against a perfectly blue sky can cure any man's depression.

The walk starts on Bryce Canyon's rim at Sunset Point (Sunset Point is far more attractive at sunrise).  It then descends into "the canyon" amongst the hoodoos.  Bryce is no canyon since no river is carving its existence.  From above, the landscape overwhelms you.  There are thousands of hoodoos.  I asked a ranger if anyone has tried to count how many.  Funds ran out after about a mile.  Bryce runs for approximately 20!  Still, Bryce is believed to have the highest concentration of hoodoos in the world.

My first time in southern Utah, I was in awe of it's red rocks.  This time getting out on foot added to my appreciation of the magical colors.  Walking through the sandy trail, made me realize how tough it is to walk in this area.  The altitude (roughly 8,000 feet) did not help.  But seeing the hoodoos up close made me realize how fragile the region is.  I would guess that if Hurricane Irene stormed through here, Bryce may not have the highest concentration of hoodoos in the world.

I loved walking through here.

One of my favorite spots on the hike

Thor's Hammer

Myself and big bad Thor

Always striking a pose.  Very nice.

Another couple arches

The walk also took us through some pines.  In some respects, Bryce reminded me of the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  They provided some much needed shade.  Although I would not argue this to be the greatest trail in the world, it most certainly is a must.  From the rim, there are countless hoodoos with no individual uniqueness.  From the trail, you have the Queen and E.T.  And whatever else your imagination can think of.