The Owl Chronicles

April 28-May 8, 2019
Day 9

This was a late starting day for all of us.  I was not up and about until 8 AM and Karen and Barb not until after 9.  Unusual for us!  Took the shuttle to the Lodge and made our way to the trail head for Queen's Garden Trail.

The trail into Queen's Garden

Once again this was a short hike but a killer even though it is listed as an easy hike.  The altitude is what is killing us.  Karen decided not to go down the trail so Barbie and I took off.  The worst part was the first 1/8 mile....very steep and lots of loose rock.  What was special about this trail was that it is the easiest under the rim...so, it was very heavily traveled.

Was looking forward to seeing the hoodoos from the bottom up instead of the top down, totally different perspective.  The trail is named "Queen's Garden" cause at the end there is a hoodoo that looks very much like Queen Victoria.  There is a famous statue of her in London and the hoodoo at Bryce Canyon looks very much like that statue...even I, once I was looking at the correct hoodoo, could see the likeness!!  Very cool.

A little beggar at our rest stop at Queen Victoria's feet

So, as this was our last hike, I will make some observations for lessons learned hiking Zion or Bryce Canyons....

1. Always always, always carry enough water.  I never ran out, but I was very grateful for that little bit of extra weight to have the refreshment handy.  
2. Backpacking in with a kid is probably not the most fun way to experience the canyons.  I get it...familes that play together and all that...but I saw so many fathers and mothers who looked totally miserable because their infant or toddler was not adding to the enjoyment.  And in a very few cases, parents who did not have hats on their kids should be shot....that sun is lethal.  Wait until your kid is old enough to hike at least 2 miles on their own.  Seriously!!!
3. Be prepared for a global experience.  There is a 50/50 split between US visitors and foreign visitors.  We heard/saw every possible nationality I think,  English, German, French, Dutch, Indian, Asian, Spain, etc. etc.  
4. Know your limitations.  The altitude adjustment killed us a couple of times.  Your heart is beating so hard, you can't catch your breath, etc.  Just allow plenty of time so that you can take your time getting back up the trail in particular.  Take 2 steps, stop, take 2 steps, stop....if you have to.
5. Then, take time to look around.  It is not a race on any of those trails, and the scenery is totally awesome....I want to go back....NOW!!!

After finishing Queen's Garden it was time for lunch, long past lunch time actually and if you are a lover of Key Lime Pie, try it at the Bryce Canyon Lodge....excellent!

We made one more stop as we left Bryce at Fairyland Point....one more look at the spectacular hoodoos!!!

Bye, bye Bryce!!

Tomorrow we head for Phoenix and the flight home.  :(