This was a normal hike!  Yes, there were areas exposed to the sun.  Yes, there were people on the trail (about a dozen other hikers – yesterday we saw NO ONE). And, yes, the uphill climb out of the canyon seemed relentless.  All in all: normal!

Speaking with the ranger yesterday after our Under the Rim hike, we decided – wisely! – to pivot and not do the second half of the Under the Rim Trail.  Instead, we picked the Fairyland Loop Trail, which meanders in the less-traveled (although well-maintained) second Bryce Amphitheater.  Something I learned: Bryce is not really a “canyon.”  From the National Park Service website, “This area is referred to as an ‘amphitheater’ as it is a bowl-shaped area shaped by the drainage of seasonal rains and melting snow (not truly a canyon, as those are shaped by flowing rivers).”

With amazing scenery, a clear trail, and some challenging elevation changes, this was a MUCH BETTER day than yesterday’s HIKE FROM HELL!