5 Tips for hiking the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop connection trail in the winter.
During the winter months, some popular trails are closed off at Bryce Canyon, leaving the Queens Garden connect to Navajo Loop as the most popular trail to go on durning this time. Although winter is almost over, Bryce Canyon still gets some snow storms through out March-April, leaving some people ill prepared for what's otherwise an easy and enjoyable hike. I visited Bryce Canyon towards the end of March last year and hiked in the cold, snow, mud and ice, here are five tips you should know before you go to ensure you have the best time during these conditions! First and foremost please ALWAYS check the official national park website before you head to any national park. There you will find alerts about any park closures that could change the itinerary of your trip.
Here's the official info for this combo hike.
Queens Garden & Navajo Combination Trailhead Location: Sunset Point or Sunrise Point (see my choice for where to start below)
Difficulty: Moderate
Total Distance: 2.9 miles (4.6 km)
Elevation change: 600 feet (183 m)
Average time: 2-3 hours
Now let's get into it!
NUMBER ONE: WEAR WATERPROOF HIKING BOOTS
Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Boots
Hiking boots can make or break your trip outdoors, and there's nothing worse than being out in the cold and snow without waterproof boots. I took these boots out with me to Bryce Canyon and they were SO comfortable. They kept my feet warm, dry, and secured. Merrell is one of my top favorite hiking boot companies and I always find myself reaching for their boots anytime i'm about to go on a hike. These boots are amazing for the price, and will last a while, I've had mine for about 3 years now and they still hold up great. NUMBER TWO: BRING MICRO-SPIKES
Kahtoola MICRO-spikes Traction System
Bringing microspikes was probably the best thing we did while hiking here during the winter. The entire National Park was covered in snow, paired with on and off sunny conditions. We were left hiking through ice in areas the sun had not yet hit and slurry in areas it hit too much, making this a slippery, muddy, and undoable hiking trail without micro spikes. Once we put these Kahtoola Microspikes on it was like night and day and we were thankful that we brought these last minute. During the trail we saw people without microspikes and they were sliding all over the trail, don't be like that, bring some microspikes.
NUMBER THREE: START AT SUNRISE POINT
Now before you begin the trail know that you can do this hike starting at Sunrise or Sunset point. If you choose to start at Sunset Point you will be starting down the Navajo Loop Trail, then connect to the Queens Garden trail, meaning the remainder of the hike after the Navajo Loop Trail will be all up hill. I recommend starting at Sunrise Point and then ending at the Navajo Loop Trail. Starting the trial this way allows you to descend into the Hoodoos and have a much easier hike with very minimal hiking uphill. Once you get out of the Navajo Loop pass you end up at Sunset point and all you have to do it take the straight pathway along the canyon rim back to Sunrise point where you started.
NUMBER FOUR: WEAR LAYERS
REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top - Women's
If I know i'm going to be hiking in the cold I always plan on wearing a Merino Wool base layer. Not only does Merino Wool feel super soft and lightweight, it's also moisture wicking and ideal for hiking in any weather condition. I love REI for base layers, even jackets, that are really good quality and at a great price point. Usually if i'm hiking in snowy/sunny conditions i'll wear this base layer, then layer the Patagonia Nano Puff Vest, and the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket on top.
Patagonia Nano Puff Vest
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket with Hood
NUMBER FIVE: START EARLY
Like I said earlier, during this time the conditions can be erratic and some other popular trails and roads can be closed due to weather. This particular connection trail gets packed and trust me when I say it becomes a completely different type of hike when you're waiting in a line to hike down into the Hoodoos. If you arrive early you get the opportunity to see the sunrise hit the Hoodoos and light up the entire canyon, its what makes this trail so beautiful.
So that's my top five tips to know before you go hiking the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop connection trail in the winter!
Let me know if these tips were helpful and if you'd like to see more posts like this!
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