Queens Garden Trail

 

This is a 1.8 mile through hike starting at Sunrise Point and descending over 300 feet into the canyon. The trail is steep in sections but the terrain is even with little to no rocks. The trail winds down the canyon working its way through the Hoodoos and passing through several man-made passages. You eventually reach a side trail leading to the Queens Garden.

The “Garden” is formations of different hoodoos in close proximity to each other and a unique spire that appears to be in the form of Queen Elizabeth.  It is only the top section of this hoodoo and the park service has installed signage at the hoodoo with a photo of a statue that looks just like the top of this hoodoo. I would never have thought to look for this without the sign. The “Queen” on this hoodoo is facing the hoodoo’s that make up the Queens Garden. Be sure to look for this when hiking the trail. There are a number of social trails up and around the hoodoos. I was fortunate to have clear skies which truly highlights the colors of the rock formations. This is a very special place!

Back to the trail and continue on to the intersection with the Navajo Loop Trail. Here you can select from two different ways to ascend back up to Sunset Point, as most people do this as part of a loop hike. I highly recommend this trail. The coloring of the rock formations are not to be missed. Everything seems to glow from the sunlight!