Bryce Canyon & Kodachrome: A Winter Hiking Adventure for the Soul
After far too long without a solid hiking trip, I finally mapped out my next adventure and before I knew it, I was off to Kodachrome State Park near Cannonville, Utah. The landscape welcomed me with deep red rock spires, winding trails, and an almost eerie silence. It was the perfect way to ease back into the rhythm of exploration.
Short, sweet, and lined with inspirational quotes, this trail was a perfect warm-up. A simple yet meaningful way to start the journey, especially since it had been a while since my last hike.
This one followed an actual path, but parts of it felt more like a “choose your own adventure” hike. The higher I climbed, the more it felt like I was wandering through an ancient kingdom of sandstone towers. One of the spires looked like it was barely holding on, a stark reminder that nature is always shifting, always changing.
This trail was all about detours, narrow passages winding between towering rock walls. I explored every little side route I could find, feeling like a kid discovering a secret playground. Bonus: It’s biker-friendly if you ever want to mix things up.
I’ll be honest, I was gasping for air at the start of this one. But once I got into the groove, the trail turned into something incredible. I passed Fred Flintstone Spire (yes, it really looked like something straight out of Bedrock), then stumbled upon Indian Cave, where ancient handprints on the walls whispered silent stories of the past.
Ballerina Spire came next, but the real highlight? A hidden passage that led to a cave with unreal echoes. I stood there, letting the sounds bounce back at me, completely mesmerized. The final push to Panorama Point was worth every step. I just sat there, taking in the view, feeling nothing but gratitude for this wild, beautiful world.
Day 2: Bryce Canyon National Park
Wall Street, Queens Garden & Peekaboo Loop
If you’re going to hike in Bryce Canyon, this is the trail to do.
Wall Street is a narrow passage of switchbacks where towering rock walls rose like a natural cathedral. Queens Garden was peppered with hoodoos standing like ancient statues. And with the snow blanketing the landscape, the entire place felt untouched, like stepping into another world.
At one point, I was recording a video when I heard a distant “woot woot” from across the canyon. Naturally, I yelled back. This turned into a full-blown screeching echo battle with a stranger I never saw, but will forever appreciate. People like that fella make adventures even more enjoyable. Thank you, who ever you are!
Fairyland Loop
This was a massive bummer. Fairyland loop closed two days before I arrived due to weather and the icy weather conditions. Absolutely devastating. But honestly? Just another reason to come back.
Bull Valley Gorge
With Fairyland off the table, I started looking for off-road trails and stumbled upon Bull Valley Gorge. I was not prepared for the history behind this place.
In 1954, a tragic accident sent a truck plummeting 25 feet into the canyon, crushing the 3 men inside. Their bodies were recovered, but the truck remains, still wedged between the rock, rusting away with time. Walking through the gorge, knowing what had happened, gave the trail a haunting weight. A powerful reminder that nature doesn’t play around. I actually didn’t complete this hike as the icy slow canyon conditions proved to be a little too sketchy for this unicorn. Just like Fairyland Loop, I must come back and conquer it.
Day 3: Grand Staircase-Escalante
I started at around 10:30 AM, and right away, the trail dipped into the narrows, canyon walls twisting and turning, framing the winter sky above. But the real star of the show? The ice.
The canyon floor was coated in a thick layer of frozen water, and every step with my microspikes made the most satisfying crunch. It was a soundtrack of solitude, just me, the ice, and the canyon wrapping around me like a secret passageway.
Standing there, surrounded by towering stone walls and the quiet hum of winter, I felt something shift inside me. That deep, soul-filling kind of peace that only comes when you let nature do its thing.
Final Thoughts: Why Winter Hiking in Bryce Canyon is Pure Magic
Winter hiking has its challenges, icy trails, freezing phalanges, and the occasional “eat shit” moment. But having Bryce Canyon practically to yourself was Worth every second.
The stillness, the crisp air, the way snow dusts the hoodoos like powdered sugar, it’s a completely different experience from the usual summer crowds. If you’ve ever thought about visiting in winter, consider this your sign.
Would I do it again? You goshed-damned right I would!!!
Until next time, Bryce.
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