Bryce Canyon National Park

Last weekend, my family and I went down to stay in Panguitch, UT. While we were there, we spent one afternoon in Bryce Canyon National Park and hiked the Navajo Loop. This is one of our family's favorite hikes so I thought I would share some of the views with you.

To get there, you drive into the park and look for the Sunset Point parking area. If you are going, make sure to take water. The hike isn't particularly difficult but it can be quite hot in southern Utah during the summer.

From the parking area, you walk out onto Sunset Point. The views there are phenomenal.

The trail rapidly descends into a deep canyon via multiple switchbacks.

My son-in-law's iPhone said we went up 22 flights of stairs, so I am assuming we also went down that much. After you reach the bottom of the switchbacks, there is an amazing walk through two high, narrow walls of canyon.

After you go through the narrow canyon, it opens up into beautiful vistas and amazing colors.

I love the contrast of the red earth and vibrant green trees.

From this point until the last little bit it is a mild hike.

We saw a few Uintah Chipmunks like this little guy.

A bird of some sort which I think is a Violet-Green Swallow but am not 100% certain.

We even saw a mud nest high on a canyon wall. The next looked to be nearly the size of a soccerball.

About half-way through the hike, you will encounter this sign. Which tells you a bit about the Navajo Loop and the Hoodoos.

What is a hoodoo? It is the classic rock formation you see so often in this area. They look like this.

The hoodoos form through natural erosion and weathering.

Right before we started the final ascent, we peeked up a small slot canyon and saw this fun sight. My daughter's said the rock looked like a giant head with moss for hair. I think I agree.

If you get the time and are in the area, I highly recommend the Navajo Loop hike. It is wonderful.

Follow @bigpanda for more fantastic travel posts.