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2024-05-19T16:46:12.000Z • Bryce Canyon National Park

Navajo and Peekaboo Combination Loop

A stunning hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Despite its name, it's not technically a canyon but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The landscape is formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rock.

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Jacky Lee
Hike
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We spent a weekend in Utah for a mate's destination wedding. We had some spare time one morning so we took an hour long drive from Orderville, where we're staying, to Bryce Canyon National Park for a little hike before the festivities!
Compared to Zion National Park, this one felt a little more accessible. We didn't have to take any shuttle bus, and could park right up to the entrance of the Navajo Loop.
The iconic Navajo Loop Trail begins and ends at Sunset Point. The loop has two sides: Two Bridges and Wall Street. The Two Bridges side is open year-round, however, the Wall Street side is closed during the winter months. The route we took was a combination of Navajo and Peekaboo. The official duration states 3-4 hours but we did it in 2.5. It was a hot, sunny day and I regret not bringing a backpack to stay hydrated!

Descent

The first portion of the hike is a steady decent into Bryce Creek. The iconic Thor's Hammer and Two Bridges are all in this section.
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The iconic Thor's hammer is about 10 minutes into the hike. You can't miss it.
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Decent hairpins was everywhere along this trail. Luckily we're here early in the season and it wasn't that crowded!

Peekaboo Trail

Reaching the bottom of the canyon, along Bryce Creek, we merged into Peekaboo Trail. Initially curious about the name "Peekaboo," it soon made sense as I hiked further. The trail is full of twists and turns, each revealing stunning and varied landscapes, offering delightful surprises at every corner.
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The Wall of Windows
The Wall of Windows is a series of sandstone arches and hoodoos in the Bryce Amphitheater, made mainly by erosion.
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Mallory, Ash and I in full tourist mode embracing the canyons.
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Slip, slop, slap this summer before you head to the canyons.

Wall Street

Peekaboo Trail ends back at the bottom of the canyon again, but instead of hiking up the same way, we took Wall Street to go up to Sunset Point.
Similar to the first portion of the hike, there were a lot of hairpins up steep sections. Because we're deep in the canyons a lot of it was in the shade.
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Hairpins up the Wall Street.