Continued from the previous page.

SUNSET POINT TO SUNRISE POINT

Sunset Point attracts more visitors than any other observation point in Bryce Canyon National Park.

The parking area is very close to the overlook, all the tour buses and shuttle buses stop here, rangers give presentations in a separate sitting area here, and there are great views in three directions down into the amphitheater.

It's also the trailhead for the most popular trail in the park, the Navajo Loop, and it's at the southern end of the only paved part of the Rim Trail.

 

Views south (above) and north (below) from Sunset Point

You've been warned! If you want to minimize hassles at this overlook, arrive before 9 AM or after 3 PM in your own vehicle or use the shuttle buses.

I parked here several times this fall when hiking along the rim and down into the canyon to reach various trails. When we had visitors in mid-October we also listened to one of the ranger talks about the geology of the park.

The next photos show views of the Bryce Amphitheater from Sunset Point and from the Rim Trail going north to Sunrise Point. This half-mile portion of the Rim Trail is relatively flat and paved so it's wheelchair-accessible. Pets can also be walked here.

Trail switch-backing down on the Twin Bridges side of the Navajo Loop

 

Looking east toward the Queen's Garden, Sinking Ship, and the Aquarius Plateau

The northern end of Bryce Amphitheater is very colorful below the rim.

You can see portions of the Queen's Garden Trail in this closeup.

There are several log benches along this section of the trail.

A spur trail ascends to Sunrise Point; the Rim Trail continues more flat and to the left.

SUNRISE POINT

Sunrise Point is probably the second most-visited overlook above Bryce Amphitheater. Although it is a farther walk from the parking area it is close to the popular Queen's Garden trailhead and both amateur and professional photographers love to see the sunrise from here:

Sunrise Point overlook on a sunny afternoon -- smile for the camera!

I took the next set of photos at sunrise on a chilly morning in October:

Photographers on the Queen's Garden Trail below
Sunrise Point waiting for the sun to come up

 

Above and below:  watching the Bryce Amphitheater light up in the early morning

 

Above and below:  close-ups of rock formations as the sun rises

 

Precarious vantage point for sunrise pictures!

If you can be in the park for several days it's interesting to see the various amphitheaters and rock formations at different times of day. The lighting is constantly changing.

SUNRISE POINT TO FAIRYLAND POINT

The next photos show scenes from the Rim Trail going north from Sunrise Point to Fairyland Point, a distance of about three miles.

I hiked this section of the Rim Trail three times, including once with Jim, when I did the Fairyland Trail loop. Like other photo sequences in this entry, these photos are from different days and different times of day:

The Queen's Garden trailhead is adjacent to the Sunrise Point overlook.

Bristlecone Point

The trails at Bryce can get pretty rough and hard after it rains.
I took this picture soon after sunrise → more intense color.

Intersection with the south end of the Fairyland Trail loop

 

 

 

 

Looking back at the trail

High point on the rim between Sunrise Point and Fairyland Point

 

View down to part of the Fairyland loop trail; "China Wall" formation in center of photo

 

 

Boat Mesa

The next four photos are from the Rim Trail at or near Fairyland Point:

 

 

 

 

 

Continued on the next page:  scenes from the other ten overlooks along the park road

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, Cody the ultra Lab, and Casey-pup

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© 2015 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil