As we wrapped up today’s hike, I told Ellie she slayed it. She was mortified, as the crowd what somewhat dense at the trailhead. She whisper-yelled at me, “Mom!! That’s a very Gen Z word and you’re very millennial!” I thought we had slayed the day, but apparently there is a better, more hip word to use to describe how rad we were.
We woke early, but took our sweet time getting ready, making sure the braids in our hair were cute. We eventually made it to the Sunrise Point Trailhead and started the day’s hike.
We’ve been to Bryce many times, and we think this is the hike that we’ve done more than any other hike ever. Each time we add a variation of some sort. Even though we’ve done the figure eight many times, it never loses its magic.
Today we started with the upper west part of Navajo Loop and continued onto the west part of Peekaboo Loop. It was a lot of downhill hiking, with some decent accents. This year we added on the Bryce Point Overlook spur, part we’ve never done before. This added a bit over two miles to the total hiking distance, but it was totally worth it.
We wrapped up with the east side of both loops and then tackled Wall Street, the straight up section, with 26 switchbacks, 500 feet of gain.
I’m so proud of us. We’re not in our usual hiking shape, yet this was a great hike! No one complained (too much.) None of us struggled much. We all appreciated what we were surrouded by: the hoodoos, the ponderosa pines, the little golden mantled ground squirrels, and each other’s company.
Altogether, we hiked a little over 9 miles with 2,500 feet of gain. It was a perfect hike in one of our favorite places. We’re all a little sad to be leaving in the morning, but have other great adventures in front of us. Just wait until you hear about tomorrow’s hike.
One last thing.
Six years ago, almost to the day, we went on a ranger led tour through the Fiery Furnace in Arches NP. Ellie told the ranger she wanted to be a ranger someday and he shared some insight of the ranger life and let her try on his hat. That ranger was Ranger Mike. And that day was the first day of our friendship.
Each year, while visiting Arches, he’s provided the most remarkable memories for Ellie. One year, he gave Ellie his retired ranger hat. (One of the only things that didn’t get stolen when our car was broken into a few days later.) He asked Ellie to be a ranger for a while day along side him. One visit, she led the Fiery Furnace hike, as he supported her.
Throughout the years he became the rare type of friend that is as close as family.
Today, he wrapped up his journey at Arches and will head to Great Sand Dunes NP. They are so lucky to have him.
I’m thankful our paths crossed on that day and Ellie has had a mentor who cares so much about her.
