Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8.5 miles RT. Moderate to difficult. Access: The trail head is located on the south side of the parking
area for Rainbow Point.
UndertheRimTrail
Running just below the rim between Bryce and Rainbow points,
the Under the Rim Trail has numerous fairly steep inclines and descents, with an
overall elevation change of 1,500 feet. There are five camping areas along the route,
plus a group camp area. Doing this whole trail should take you 2 to 3 days.
Although the trail doesn't move too far from the scenic drive, its location below
the rim gives hikers a feeling of being alone in the wilderness. There are several
spurs connecting this trail to the scenic drive, which enables hikers to choose a
route to match their abilities and time schedule. The
SheepCreekTrail
(9.5 miles
from the trail head) and
Swamp Canyon Connecting Trail
(10.4 miles from the
trail head) both lead to the Swamp Canyon Overlook and parking area on the scen-
ic drive.
WhitemanConnectingTrail
(12.3 miles from the trail head) takes hikers
to a picnic area on the scenic drive; and
AguaCanyonConnectingTrail
(16.9 miles
from the trail head) connects to Ponderosa Canyon Overlook and parking area on
the scenic drive. Plan carefully, because once you choose your route it is written on
your overnight pass and you cannot change your campsite.
From Bryce Point, the trail meanders toward Merrell Hollow across almost-
empty meadows that are home to an occasional twisted conifer and a few man-
zanita. Nearing the hollow you'll see chipmunks darting about gathering food,
and you'll have grand vistas of the Aquarius Plateau, with Tropic Valley nestled
in the foreground. The pinnacles grouped at the head of the hollow are brilliantly
painted in purples, reds, and oranges. As you descend a long slope, you'll see the
Hat Shop ahead. (See “Hat Shop Trail,” earlier in this chapter.) Continuing the des-
cent, you'll finally arrive at Right Fork Camping Area (3 miles from the trail head),
located in a tall stand of ponderosa pines.
From Right Fork, the trail follows a deep wash through low brush to Yellow
Creek, which it follows upstream, passing the Yellow Creek Group Camp (4 miles
from the trail head). As you continue upstream, you'll spot desert shrubs and bar-
rel cactus among the junipers. (See chapter 9, “A Nature Guide to Zion & Bryce
Canyon National Parks.”) In the occasional spaces between the trees, you can see
the colorful spires at the top of the valley. Near the stream source is the Yellow
Creek Camping Area (5.4 miles from the trail head), located in a grove of tall pines;
shortly after you leave the campground, the trail climbs a slope with grand views
to the east, where gray cliffs provide a backdrop for deep red formations of sand-
stone.
The trail next passes through open pine forests, along washes, and up and down
valleys, offering varying views of carved and etched walls, square-topped pillars,
