Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6-10 miles RT (3 miles takes you to the park boundary and another 2 miles brings you to the national
forest boundary). Easy to moderate. Access: The trail head sign and parking area are 5 miles south
of the visitor center, on the scenic drive.
Exploring the Backcountry
For diehard hikers who don't mind rough terrain, Bryce has two backcountry trails,
usually open in the summer only. The really ambitious can combine the two for a
week-long excursion. Permits, which are available at the visitor center, are required
for all overnight trips into the backcountry. Cost is $5 for one or two people, $10
for three to six people, and $15 for 7 to 15 people (group sites only). Permits cannot
be reserved, but must be obtained at the park during the 48 hours preceding your
hike. Although the number of permits issued is limited, park officials say they sel-
dom run out. Permits can be obtained daily from 8am until 1 hour before the visit-
or center closes.
RiggsSpringLoopTrail
★★★
This hike can be completed in 4 or 5 rigorous hours, or
it can be more comfortably done as a relaxing overnight backpacking trip. This re-
latively little-used trail offers a good opportunity to escape humanity. You'll have
a good chance of seeing wildlife—possibly even a glimpse of an elusive mountain
lion. (See chapter 9, “A Nature Guide to Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks.”)
The trail goes through a deep forest of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine early on,
and then turns south through a burned-out area, past blackened trees and brush
to the brink of the Pink Cliffs, where you can gaze into a valley of hoodoos below.
Yovimpa Pass Campground, about 2 miles into the hike, occupies a tree-rimmed
meadow with views of Molly's Nipple and No Man's Mesa. The descent from
Yovimpa Pass follows the bed of Podunk Creek, crossing the wash several times,
and traversing a forest of ponderosa and piñon pines, aspen, Douglas fir, and man-
zanita, before turning toward Riggs Spring and the Riggs Spring Campground (3.4
miles from the trail head). The spring is on the west side of the trail and is en-
circled by a wood rail fence. The trail next turns north, following Mutton Hollow
and crossing several washes, finally arriving at Corral Hollow Campground, at the
base of the Promontory, just beyond a small stand of maple trees. (You've come 5.7
miles at this point.) The trail now begins the loop around the Promontory, some-
times crossing draws that provide clear views of the white and pink cliffs soaring
above. Once around the southern tip of the promontory, the trail begins the steady
return ascent to the rim of the canyon. The elevation change of the hike is 2,248
feet. See “Southern Canyon” map in this chapter.
