Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
evation change of 150 feet, and the round-trip takes about an hour. See “Southern
Canyon” map in this chapter.
1 mile RT. Easy. Access: The trail head is located at the Rainbow Point parking area at the end of the
scenic drive.
HatShopTrail
This is a strenuous hike with a 1,336-foot elevation change; it's also
the beginning of the
UndertheRimTrail
(see “Exploring the Backcountry,” later
in this chapter). Leaving the rim, you'll drop quickly to the Hat Shop, so-named be-
cause it consists of a series of rock formations that resemble hard gray hats perched
on narrow, reddish-brown pedestals. The trail offers close-up views of gnarled
ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, as well as distant panoramas across the Aquarius
Plateau toward the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. (See chapter 8,
“Nearby Things to See & Do.”) This hike will take you approximately 4 hours, if
you go the whole distance. See “Bryce Canyon National Park” map in chapter 5.
4 miles RT. Difficult. Access: The trail head is located at the Bryce Point Overlook.
MossyCaveTrail
★
An often-overlooked trail, located outside the main part of
the park, the Mossy Cave Trail offers an easy and picturesque walk. The trail fol-
lows an old irrigation ditch up a short hill to a shallow cave, where seeping water
nurtures the cave's namesake moss. Just off the trail, you'll see a small waterfall,
which is usually flowing from May through October. Elevation gain is 200 feet. Al-
low about 45 minutes for the whole trip. See “Bryce Canyon National Park” map in
chapter 5.
.8 mile RT. Easy. Access: The trail head is located along Utah 12, about 3 1/2 miles east of the park
access road, Utah 63.
NavajoLoopTrail
★
This trail descends from the canyon rim 550 feet to the bottom of
the canyon floor and back up again. Traversing graveled switchbacks, it affords ter-
rific views of several impressive formations, including the awesome Two Bridges
and the precariously balanced Thor's Hammer. The round-trip on this trail takes 1
to 2 hours, and we suggest hiking the trail clockwise. See “Central Canyon” map
in this chapter.
1.3 miles RT. Moderate. Access: The trail head is signposted at the central overlook at Sunset Point.
The Best of Two Great Trails