Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail, UT

Bryce Canyon National Park, in southwestern Utah, is probably one of Utah's most famous National Parks, in contention with Zion and Arches. Certainly, that which makes Bryce so famous worldwide are its spectacular hoodoos, and strange spires of rock seeming to defy erosion (more on them below). The largest and largest collection of these hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park are located in Bryce Amphitheater. And one of the best ways to see Bryce Amphitheater from a hoodoo's point of view is to hike the Peek-A-Boo Loop. The name Bryce Canyon is sort of a misnomer, as the majority of the park that the public visit is a mesa top. The canyons are generally small and waterless, draining the surface of the plateau. What happens when they start carving is magic. The soft Clarion Formation, which forms the bulk of the plateau, is easily eroded by even small quantities of flowing water. Within this soft stone, however, there are layers of harder limestone that resist erosion. So while most of the plateau is being eaten away, these limestone capstones prevent the soft stone beneath them from being eroded. This leaves towers, fins, mini-mesas, and hoodoos. These have the highest density nearest the plateau, and diminish towards the valley - even the protective caprock can't totally prevent erosion. So the side canyons are small, but numerous, and all are dotted with hoodoos and arches and all sorts of strange psychedelic shapes.


The Peek-A-Boo Loop begins along the rim trail at Sunset Point, south of the northern campground. There is a shuttle bus stop and a parking area, along with a bathroom. There is seasonally a drinking fountain. There are signs directing visitors to the trailheads and the overlook. The Peek-A-Boo trailhead starts, sharing the trail with part of the Navajo Loop. It heads down into the amphitheater just north of the overlook.The trail at this point is often crowded during the peak months, as this section of the Peek-A-Boo trail is also shared with the Navajo Loop, which is a short, popular, moderate hike. This portion of the trail descends sharply through a series of switchbacks, past Thor's Hammer and a narrow section of the canyon, to the floor of the Bryce Amphitheater. The switchbacks are very close-placed and steep, especially after passing Thor's Hammer, and footing can be tricky on the soft dirt. When you reach the bottom there is a bench there, and the trail splits. The Queen's Garden trail heads to the left, but the Peek-A-Boo trail heads to the right, towards the wash bottom.

The trail follows the wash bottom for a couple of hundred yards and then bends out of the wash to the south. The trail branches again at this point, with the Peek-A-Boo trail going straight. As you begin to climb the opposite canyon wall, the trail will branch again. This is where the two parts of the Peek-A-Boo loop come back together. I have only hiked the trail by heading right at this point and will describe it as such.

The trail rises steeply in a series of switchbacks as it climbs a small mesa in the heart of Bryce Amphitheater. While the switchbacks are neither as steep nor as closely spaced as the ones heading down from the rim of the plateau, you still need to pace yourself climbing here, as the altitude is over 7000 feet.

When you reach the rim of the small mesa, the rim of Bryce Amphitheater expands in front of you to the west studded with hoodoos. The trail also goes by several hoodoos on the mesa, as well as some strange and warped pine trees. Some ancient bristlecone pines live along this trail, as well as elsewhere in the park. Some of these are perched on the ridge to the east of the trail as you crest the ridge, in a pretty neat display of nature.

The trail winds along the top of the mesa for a while, passing more spires and going through several tunnels carved through rock fins. The trail also crosses several small draws as it makes its way toward the southernmost point in the loop.

Previously there was a trail that led from Bryce Point, on the south side of Bryce Amphitheater, down to the Peek-A-Boo trail, allowing the loop to be done from either end or a single-direction shuttle-hike. However, this trail is washed out, leaving only one option for continuing the hike. At the bottom of this trail, there was a restroom (that was closed in September when we were there), a water fountain (that was turned off in Sept. as well), and a horse corral (that was empty). This trail is used by both people and horseback riders. Please use caution, yield the right of way, and listen to the mule train leader if he gives directions. After taking a break at the horse corral (which is about midway through the hike), continue along, passing the bottom end of the washed-out Bryce Point trail, and begin climbing back up the small mesa. On this side of the mesa, you can look out onto the upper Paria River basin. You can also the Aquarius Plateau and the valley near the town of Tropic. On some bends of the trail, the rim by the trailhead can be seen, and more hoodoos sprinkle the views.

Finally, you reach the point of the trail where the two sections meet back up. Proceed from here back to the trailhead via the trail you hiked in on.

2008-01-27 PaleoRob