Bryce Canyon National Park

On our way to our Airbnb in Manti, we decided we couldn’t pass up Bryce Canyon and the internationally renowned views. I had done some research and made tentative plans to visit, but we were not sure if the timing would work out. We were so glad it did!

Despite my ankle injury in The Narrows the day before, I was determined to complete the Navajo Loop. I was confident that if I wrapped my ankle, we could just take our time and I would make it. I was also happy to rely on my trekking poles for some extra support. The Navajo Loop is a little under two miles, but because of the elevation, it is considered a “moderate” hike. Just like Zion, the views were spectacular right from the start.

Unlike Zion, however, the hike was pretty difficult from the beginning. Thomas didn’t struggle as much, so it was probably mostly my ankle. The incredible hoodoos were extremely diverting, though. I focused on taking my time and soaking in the scenery.

When we got to the real Thor’s Hammer, a charming rock formation that looks way more like Mjolnir than the dinky one actually named Thor’s hammer later in the hike, I knew the trail was about to get harder. We were on our way out of the canyon and had a bit of a climb. Please note the hilarious panoramic pic Thomas took that makes my head look super tiny. The Two Bridges formation wasn’t too far from Thor’s Hammer, but I was already struggling.

Making it up those switchbacks took me about an hour and I was feeling pretty woozy by the time we made it to the top of that Wallstreet. Finally, we realized I should take off my hat and sun shirt. It wasn’t very sunny and there was a pleasant breeze, so I hadn’t really registered how hot I really was with all the exertion. As we neared the close of the loop, we saw the “real” Thor’s Hammer and looked back on how far we had climbed. We saw some more of the trademark hoodoos and Thomas had to hold onto me as I looked. He was, rightfully, worried about me falling right over the edge in my slightly heat exhausted state.

I felt like a boss after finishing that hike. I am still impressed with my husband’s patience when I think back on him quietly supporting me. I’m sure it wasn’t necessarily easy for him, but I think he was definitely more worried about me hurting myself even worse than the day before. We had plans to venture out to Arches National Park the next day, but we decided to leave that to our next trip to Utah and take a very well-deserved rest. Our next, and last, stop would be Evermore Park for some silly LARP action to finish off our trip.