• Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact
Geogypsy
Menu
  • Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact

Tag: trails

16 September 2020

I hiked the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon

Wall Street Navajo Loop Tairl Bryce Canyon National Park UtahTruth be told I haven’t done much hiking in Bryce this season, or last, but I asked for a project day and hiked the hoodoos in uniform.  Good reminder about the beauty of Bryce Canyon National Park and how fortunate I am to work there.  Even climbing up Wall Street.

trees SR14 West UtahWent to Cedar City last week to shop, which I don’t like to do, but at least the drive is pretty.  After last week’s cold snap I wondered what the Aspen would look like at the almost 10,000 foot pass.  Many were turning a tarnished bronze.  Not a good indication for the gorgeous gold that I’d like to see, especially against the black lava flow where the Aspen grows from near Navajo Lake.  Much construction on the SR89 drive south so thought I’d return on the slightly longer I15 north and SR20 east but the interstate was backed up past the entrance ramp in town, so bagged that idea.

Joann and her granddaughter visited for a couple days.  Love to see friends at the park, even if we can’t officially hug hello.  Sadly, I was working so only saw them briefly.  They joined my Rim Walk about the cultural history of Bryce Canyon along with a family and 78-year old lady who just hiked the trail I would the next day.  What an inspiration.

I’d asked by supervisor for a project day to hike the hoodoos, and Sunday was that day.  I was both excited and nervous.  The Queen/Navajo Loop is only 2.9 miles plus a 600 foot change in elevation.  That’s not much, but more than I’ve done in a while.  I figured to take about six hours as I’d be in uniform stopping to answer visitor questions, and sauntering at my typical slow pace taking lots of photos along the way.  One of my biggest concerns was carrying enough water as I use a fanny pack that’s pretty small.  My arthritic shoulders can’t handle a backpack.

Get ready for photo overload

hoodoo wall trees Queen's Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahStarting at Sunrise Point, the Queen’s Garden Trail drops rapidly into the hoodoos quickly bringing them to eye level.  It’s a harsh yet beautiful landscape with textured and crumbly limestone often layered in various shades of orange, red, pink, and whites.  The day was clear with Southwest deep blue sky at mid 70°s.

trees hoodoos horizon Queen's Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMany visitors are satisfied by only a short walk downwards into this fairyland environment.  Probably just as well as they often carry no water or wear inadequate footwear.  The downside, how impacted the nearby off-trail areas that create social trails, many chained off or with signs doesn’t seem to stop people.  Why?  It hurts me to see all the social trails and disrespect for the rules made to protect the land, the place people come to enjoy.

trees hoodoos Queens Garden Tairl Bryce Canyon National Park UtahContinuing down trail, literally, still provides views both down and distant.

trees mounds plateaus Queen's Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

hoodoo Queens Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahOften patches of trees appear only to thin out for the dramatic surround of more hoodoos.

Suzanne Queens Garden trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahPSAR Suzanne patrolling the Queen’s Garden Trail by tunnel

Queen Victoria hoodoo Queen's Garden trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahQueen Victoria

A hoodoo that, presumably, resembles a statue of Queen Victoria provides a “destination” for the 1.8 mile round trip down and up of the Queen’s Garden trail.  It’s a 500 foot side trail right after a human-made tunnel through a hoodoo wall.  I encourage people to name hoodoos whatever they want, then take a photo and challenge their descendants to find them in the future.

hoodoos plateau valley Queen's Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

hoodoos Queens Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWhat is a hoodoo you ask?  A native word pronounced “oodoo” by the local southern Utah Paiute meaning rock people.  I certainly see shapes and faces in the hoodoo towers of weathered and eroded limestone.  The above reminded me of the Three Stooges.

hoodoos on hill trees Queen's Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahEarly European American settlers saw castles.

hoodoos trees Queen's Garden Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe trees are often as shapely as the rock.

looking up trees hoodoos bottom Queen's Garden trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahShortly after the Queen, the trail continues down into the forested base of the hoodoos and perspective changes to looking up at their towering shapes.  A stiff neck could ensue if not having to look down to keep from tripping over errant rocks and roots.

forest hoodoos near junction of trails Bryce Canyon National Park UtahA beautiful stroll across a gentle terrain under forest shade most welcomed after the sunny exposure coming downhill.

Ranger Gaelyn bottom near trails junction Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI opted for lunch at a twisted root along the trail taking in the breathtaking surroundings.  Not far ahead a junction of trails gives options for additional mileage to the three mile Peek-a-boo trail, and two choices up the Navajo Loop, .6 miles on the Two Bridges side or our recommended .7 Wall Street side.  When advising visitors of the clockwise route on Navajo Loop Trail, either from top or bottom, many don’t know the movement of hands on a clock anymore because of digital.

I call Wall Street the icing on the hoodoo cake for a most unique experience similar to a slot canyon although not formed the same way geologically.  Traversing between two hoodoo walls provides shade at the end of a hike.  And although it’s steep, also safer because it’s easier to roll an ankle going down steep than up.  Navajo Loop trail is the shortest hoodoo hike in Bryce at 1.3 miles and also where almost one carry-out a day occurs.  This happens for a variety of reasons being short and therefore considered easy without taking into consideration the rim is at 8000 feet in elevation, the trail changes 500 feet in only a little over half a mile, it’s steep and requires footwear with good grip, and the hot arid environment means increasing water intake.  Disregarding these conditions often causes problems for unprepared visitors.

trees along dry wash hoodoos Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAvoiding the extra three miles I continued a bit more through forest and upward views at the rock people.  A visitor with go-pro on a selfie-stick joined me for maybe five minuets before I stopped to answer questions and he continued up the trail.

tree hoodoo walls Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahUpon reaching the base of Wall Street I heard guitar music reverberating softly against the rock walls.

guitar player Wall Street Navajo Loop trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahA slight climb brought the musician and his photographer into view.  I tried unsuccessfully to video a bit of the unexpected entertainment.

Wall Street Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahShort switchbacks make the long climb seem less steep to me.  Yet I still stopped frequently with the excuse to take another photo.


I hiked the hoodoos sticker on water bottle Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Talked to over 100 cool folks who were mostly prepared.  Turned around four people with dogs along the way, and one wagon near the top of Wall Street.  Took 5 ½ hours but I hiked the hoodoos for three miles. Not bad for me.  And best of all, my legs didn’t hurt a bit afterwards or the next day.  Maybe next time I’ll tackle the Peek-a-boo trail.

 

 

Pink Cliffs valley haze Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe next day I opened the visitor center and after a couple hours answering questions the schedule sent me to the end of the scenic drive with my favorite view from Yovimpa Point, and thank goodness it wasn’t hazy enough to totally obstruct the view.  My supervisor arrived to observe my 12:30 Grand Staircase geology talk and I thought it was the worst one I ever presented.  I am usually not bothered by staff observation.

A guy blatantly went around the fence in front of me to take a photo and when I asked him to come back he at first ignored me completely, then finally did. His wife apologized for him. What an ass.

tree in Natural Bridge Bryce Canyon National Park UtahStopped to rove at the Natural Bridge overlook, which is really an arch and not a bridge.  Always a good place to interact with visitors.  Besides, I keep on checking up on this tree.

My Friday on Tuesday included the evening program where I talk about the wildlife at Bryce Canyon.  Because it’s getting dark earlier that now happens at 8pm instead of 9pm.  No heartbreak being done a little earlier in the evening.

And today, my first of three days off, working on this post.  Then some chores to take care of and maybe a mini road trip tomorrow to have a propane tank re-certified.

hoodoo tree Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahRandom thoughts

Will the future of our species, provided it survives into the future, wonder why we didn’t see the demise of our planet coming. We’ve bastardized our basic needs, food/GMO, water/polluted, shelter/unaffordable, and clothing (which should be optional for weather protection) becoming the higher demand by some nebulous designers. What’s happening around us is not “normal”, nor should ever be accepted as such.

Fire is good for the land but not for us, paybacks a bitch for long time fire suppression.  And then add climate change.

Sorry

Comments aren’t showing on the blog, however I am receiving them.  Hostgator is working on the problem.

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Bryce Canyon National Park, hoodoos, Places I've been, United States, Utah hike, hoodoos, trails 22 Comments
06 August 2019

Walk with me under the Bryce Canyon full moon hoodoos

I hadn’t photographed the full moon since May, too many clouds in June, July looked good so I started to make a plan to shoot Bryce Canyon full moon hoodoos, and it worked.  I took lots of photos.  Hope you’re ready.

windows mask hoodoos Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI’m still learning to use the Photo Pills app ahead of time for some idea of time, degrees, and direction of rise (or set) from different locations.  Plus considering which trail to get down into the hoodoos without too much distance and drop.

Hoodoos last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI started down the Navajo Loop Trail about 7:15 for the 8:10 moonrise and maybe the 8:50 sunset.

looking up Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahLooking up from four switchbacks down

Couldn’t believe how many people clustered along the rim and top of the trailhead at the mostly eastern “Sunset Point” view.

hoodoos Wall Street Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWallstreet, the other side of the Navajo Loop Trail

A few folks passed me still huffing up the trail, many carrying no water.  They may have done the 1.3 mile loop, 357 feet up in .7miles.  Not for me tonight.

Thors Hammer hoodoos late light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI kept checking Photo Pills against the real time landscape.

windows Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

view through Hoodoo windows Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAt first I was sure I’d get the moon rise through one of the windows in a formation I call the mask.  But alas, the app was out of calibration.

Hoodoos full moon rise last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahYet I knew it was close and went for a backup plan.  Wherever the moon would rise I’d surely find a good hoodoo foreground.

late light hoodoos Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHad to keep moving up and down the trail because the gnats/noseeums were driving me crazy, and ultimately ate me alive leaving terrible welts that got hard bumps and blisters.  Brutal.  A reaction I’d never experienced before, and hope not to again.

Hoodoos full moon rise last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Hoodoos full moon rise last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Hoodoos full moon rise last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Hoodoos full moon rise last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHoodoos full moon rise last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Hoodoos full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWith a bit of haze on the horizon I didn’t get the actual moon rise but I did get some fun shots of the full moon with the magical shapes of hoodoos.  I saw a person reading a book and someone else said a knight holding a staff or sword.  What do you see?

Hoodoos full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Hoodoos full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Hoodoos full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHoodoo is a word derived from late 1800 African Americans in the southeastern United States meaning “folk magic”.  I can’t find out who actually named these crazily carved and magical shaped rocks.  Zoomed in and zoomed out.

Thors Hammer last light Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahA different view than from the top of the iconic Thor’s Hammer hoodoo.

Thors Hammer Hoodoos valley last light full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Hoodoos full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI had so much fun.

sunset distant view full moon Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAfter my shoot on the climb up to the rim I stopped a young boy, maybe tweenage, from driving his remote control 18-inch car down the trail.  No motorized vehicles allowed.  Even though I wasn’t in uniform, told him I was a Ranger, and he asked if he could drive it back up and I said “no, carry it.”  Which he did with no other response.  Where were his parents?

last light view East from Fairyland Point Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

last light on hoodoos Boat Mesa from Fairland Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahTo avoid crowds and for someplace different, the next night I went to Fairyland Point.  For the first time I found a place to park in the tiny lot.  Arrived at 8:25 for an 8:49 sunset and 8:58 moon rise.

last light Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

last light Sinking Ship from Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe trail had obviously been walked on when wet and was lumpy and uneven which made for unsteady slow walking.  I should have brought my tripod and used it as a walking stick.  Thank goodness a light breeze kept most of the bugs away.

trees hoodoos sunset Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

trees hoodoos Earth Shadow from Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahScoped a couple places out with Photo Pills but didn’t feel like I could trust it 100% even with recalibrating the previous night.

reverse sunset Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

hoodoos sunset Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

trees hoodoos Sinking Ship sunset Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI would have had to walk a little further than I wanted to get below the hoodoos for the shots I imagined.  But with the hazy horizon I didn’t catch the first rise anyway.

Sinking Ship Hoodoos valley full moon from Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahA young woman and her “Sherpa” coming up the trail with “$1000s in camera gear” hadn’t even seen the full moon.  She joined me setting up her tripod.  Hope she got some better shots than I did as darkness deepened.

full moon hoodoos Fairyland Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI like to walk a trail under full moon light, to see the shadows, and wished for my tripod to take more photos.

Hoodoos full moon rise sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahProcessing these shots took a lot of time, going from silhouette to pulled shadows for a little more color.  I most time preferred the dark silhouette.  How about you?

Hoodoos full moon reverse sunset Navajo Loop Trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThis experience gave me the idea for a Shooting the light full moon walk about balance in nature, photography, and life.  Possibly in September.

red hills Tropic valley Blue Cliffs Aquarius Plateau sunrays rainbow storm clouds from Bryce Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBut now that monsoon has finally arrived it’s rather hit or miss for clear skies to full clouds.  Yet I’m still working on a plan for August Bryce Canyon full moon hoodoos.  I’m off work the 14th for an 8:17 moon rise five minutes before sunset.  My work schedule on the 15th has me closing the visitor center at 8pm so I’ll probably miss the 8:20 sunset but should be able to make the 8:51 moon rise somewhere behind the hoodoos.

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Bryce Canyon National Park, full moon, Utah Bryce Canyon NP, full moon, hoodoos, trails, Utah 33 Comments

Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

Let’s share our stories.  Here’s more of mine…

My wheeleastate

I am currently…

…boondocking somewhere in southern Arizona.  In the area, give a shout.

Geogypsytraveler on YouTube

Follow my journey on YouTube. Just click the pic. Hope you’ll like, share, and subscribe.

Click image for 7 minute documentary (Password “geogypsy” lowercase)

Making the Gypsy documentary is a story of its own.  Click below for the rest of the story.

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Photos available for sale include prints, greeting cards, coffee mugs, tote bags, phone cases and more

Reflected Wave 24X16 metal print under $100

Custom Coffee Mugs

Many items to choose from including prints

The Last Blast 24 x 16″ metal print under $100

Need a signal boost? When I boondock on public lands sometimes signal is weak or intermittent and a booster helps. Click the pic to visit WeBoost.

Connecting to nature and the rest of the world too.

Please contact me for photo purchases not seen at GLOlmsted Photography

Order fulfillment is by Fine Art America. If you’re not happy with your purchase, for any reason, simply return it within 30 days, and you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price.

Why read Geogypsy?

The gypsy life spring-summer 1998 - "You were a real pioneer. RV'ing before it was cool." ...Yogi

How do you process photos? - “Your photographs create an Emotional feeling in the viewer...that they become One with You.” …Cindy

Life’s transitions between travel and work play - "I know you love your job as much as you love travel -- it shines through all your posts." ...Sallie

Lions at Kruger National Park - “Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!” … Peter B

11 lessons looking back 2013 - “A great post -- made me think, made me smile, made me want to cry." ...Sallie

Wildlife video Kruger National Park - “Gorgeous, this makes me want to go straight to South Africa now.” … Ayngelina

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary - “What an experience you had and gave to the "crew." Sometimes I think you don't realize how unique and inspiring you are.” …Alan

Search

Popular Posts

1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles

Categories

Archives

Sites I follow, read & recommend

  • A Full-time Life
  • A Yankee in Belgrade
  • Bob's Eyes
  • Box Canyon Blog
  • Camels and Chocolate
  • Dawns bloggy blog
  • In the Direction of Our Dreams
  • Jane in her infinite wisdom
  • Janie and Steve, Utah Trails
  • Kathie's Birds
  • Las Adventuras
  • Memorable Meanders
  • Oh, The Places They Go
  • On the Road Abode
  • Port Elizabeth Daily Photo
  • Stillhowlyntravels
  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

Caught in a Slot 9×12 canvas print under $50

If you don’t like what’s going on in your government, contact your Congress

Directory of Senators

Directory of Representatives

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com
%d