Bryce Canyon National Park

We, my sister, son and I, rose early and went to breakfast first thing at Fairfield Inn in Virgin, Utah. The food was standard fare and we quickly got the car packed and were on our way. We wanted to get our hike started in Bryce before the crowds arrived.

We drove back to Zion and then up the mountain to the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. The drive up the mountain to Zion National Park and through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is captivating and awe inspiring. The rock formations near the road were as striking as on our hikes the day before. My sister drove allowing my son and I to throw our heads all around to capture the scenery as we zigged and zagged our way higher.

The drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is a unique experience that took us through a narrow tunnel carved into the rock formations of the mountain. The tunnel is approximately 1.1 miles long and features windows cut into the walls, allowing visitors to take in stunning views of the canyon and the surrounding landscapes as they pass through.

Drive To Bryce

The drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is scenic in a different way than the rock formations of Zion. The landscape is more flowing with more vegetation. The drive is approximately 85 miles long and takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

The route takes visitors north on Highway 89 and then east on Highway 12, known as the Scenic Byway 12. The drive takes visitors through breathtaking vistas of towering cliffs, sweeping valleys, and winding rivers.

The route pass through small towns and historic landmarks, such as the historic Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument and the Red Canyon Tunnel, a scenic tunnel carved into the red rock formations. I learned that many of the towns along the route we shutdown during COVID-19 and most of the businesses have not returned. We saw many empty restaurants, bars, and small businesses. The business that were open didn’t seem to have much business, granted it probably is the off-season still. There were gas stations dotting the route with convience stores.

One thing that struck me was the number of storage containers we saw everywhere. People were using them as a garage to pull there cars and farming equipment into. Some looked like general storage units. We also saw many that had windows cut in them and seemed to be used as working garages and homes. They were in rural areas as well as towns.

The drive culminated at the Bryce Canyon National Park visitors center.

Sunrise Point

We started out at Sunrise Point which is a popular lookout point at Bryce Canyon National Park in southwestern Utah. It offers visitors a stunning panoramic view of the colorful hoodoo formations and natural amphitheaters of the Bryce Canyon. The lookout point is situated at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, providing visitors with views of the unique rock formations in the park.

Sunrise Point is also a popular starting point for many hiking trails, including the Queen's Garden Trail and the Navajo Loop Trail. These trails offer visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with the stunning rock formations of Bryce Canyon and explore the unique landscapes of the park.

Queen’s Garden

The trailhead for the Queen's Garden Trail is located at Sunrise Point and offers visitors a gentle descent into the park's natural amphitheater, surrounded by stunning views of the colorful hoodoos and rock formations that make Bryce Canyon famous. As visitors descend the trail, they pass through tunnels and switchbacks that offer stunning views of the park's natural features.

The Queen's Garden Trail is an easy way to enter the canyons, with a 330 ft elevation drop. When we visited, the trail was covered in ice and snow, so wearing crampons was helpful and those without struggled to walk. The trail is named after the Queen Victoria hoodoo, a rock formation that resembles the profile of a woman and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the park.

I got lost from my sister and son at a fork in the trail and hiked back to the trailhead thinking they might have returned. They had actually continued down the mountain. I had to turnaround and hike down again. This added to the miles I got in this day.

Along the trail, visitors will encounter numerous unique rock formations. The trail ends at the intersection with the Navajo Loop Trail, which offers visitors a more challenging climb back to the rim of the amphitheater.

We had to change our intended route because the trail was convered in parts with heavy snow and mud. We met a woman who had hiked from Bryce Point down and she suggested it was nice hike. We could catch the park bus from Bryce Point back to Sunrise Point.

Peekaboo loop to Bryce Point

The Peekaboo Loop is considered a hard hike. We were not hiking the trail from Bryce Point down and back, but instead we used it to connect Sunrise Point to Bryce Point. The hike from the canyon floor up to Bryce Point was particularly challenging with ice, snow and mud covering most of the trail.

From the bottom of the canyon, there is winding loop that takes you past a variety of unique rock formations, including the Wall of Windows and the Cathedral. The trail is easy to follow simply because of the number of people that traverse it, but hikers should be prepared for steep climbs, icy conditions, and challenging terrain. There were a few places where a bad slip might send the hiker on a long slide down the side of a hill.

As we meandered up the trail, we had such stunning views of the park's unique and colorful hoodoos, as well as panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The hike is challenging but incredibly rewarding, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience of the natural beauty and grandeur of Bryce Canyon National Park.

I was impressed by the family that followed us most of the way through the snow fields. The kids were great hikers and seemed genuinely enjoy the trail. They never complained and asked a lot of interesting questions. I learned that the family was from near Seattle, Washington and they have been visiting National Parks for years.

Ruby’s

Ruby's Inn is a historic property located just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. The Inn was established in 1916 by Reuben C. (Ruby) Syrett, who originally came to the area to raise cattle. In the 1920s, Syrett began to offer guided horseback tours of the nearby canyon, and the Inn became a popular destination for tourists. Over the years, Ruby's Inn expanded to include a campground, a motel (Best Western), and several restaurants.

Ruby's Restaurant is one of the most popular dining options in the area and is known for its homestyle cooking and generous portions. It is where we found ourselves for dinner after completing our hikes. It was really nice to relax. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features a menu of classic American dishes, such as burgers, steaks, fried chicken and a large salad bar. The restaurant also serves a variety of homemade pies and desserts.

Ruby's has a virtual monopoly in the area because it was one of the first businesses to be established in the area, and over time, it has grown to become the largest and most well-known establishment in the area. Ruby's Inn has also been successful in marketing itself to tourists, and its close proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park makes it a convenient choice for visitors. Additionally, Ruby's has invested in the local community, sponsoring events and supporting local charities, which has helped to build its reputation as a trusted and respected local business.

Ruby’s Best Western

We stayed in the Best Western which was part of the Ruby’s group of local hospitality services.