Riggs Spring Loop in Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Hike Riggs Spring Loop Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Class 1 8.9 miles 2100 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Sep 7, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Riggs Spring Loop GPX Track

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The Riggs Spring Loop starts at Rainbow Point, the southernmost end of Bryce Canyon National Park's scenic drive. I decided to do the loop clockwise in order to do the steeper section as an ascent. I checked out Rainbow Point and then started along the Bristlecone Trail, which led to the Below the Rim Trail. The first few miles leads through a burned area, with nice wide views to the east. The trail eventually reaches the base of the cliffs and the foliage is green and living again. There are some decent views of the orange cliffs Bryce is known for, but it's short-lived. Overall, there are only a few hoodoos to be seen along the entirety of the trail. About a mile before and a mile after actual Riggs Spring, the trail becomes forested and not very eventful. Once I reached Riggs Spring, which is also a trail junction, I continued west and began the ascent back to the rim. I also got rained on. The views were really nice once on the rim, the orange cliffs and hoodoos now close-up again. A trail leads back to Rainbow Point.

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View from Rainbow Point.
View from Rainbow Point.
Starting along the rim along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail.
Starting along the rim along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail.
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Descending along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail, clockwise.
Descending along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail, clockwise.
Burn area with some views to the east.
Burn area with some views to the east.
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Continuing along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail through a burn area.
Continuing along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail through a burn area.
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Heading west under the rim.
Heading west under the rim.
I started from up there somewhere.
I started from up there somewhere.
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View back as I continue west along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail.
View back as I continue west along the Riggs Spring Loop Trail.
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The trail then heads south away from the rim, entering the forest.
The trail then heads south away from the rim, entering the forest.
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Junction at Riggs Spring. I headed west along the trail. Going south would lead the wrong direction.
Junction at Riggs Spring. I headed west along the trail. Going south would lead the wrong direction.
Riggs Spring.
Riggs Spring.
It started to rain as I began ascending toward Yovimpa Pass.
It started to rain as I began ascending toward Yovimpa Pass.
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Making progress as I continue up to the rim.
Making progress as I continue up to the rim.
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Yovimpa Pass, back on the rim.
Yovimpa Pass, back on the rim.
The trail continues to gain elevation along the rim as I make my way back to Rainbow Point.
The trail continues to gain elevation along the rim as I make my way back to Rainbow Point.
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Image 27 from gallery
Continuing along the rim along the Riggs Spring Loop, heading northeast.
Continuing along the rim along the Riggs Spring Loop, heading northeast.
Almost back to the trailhead, view back along the rim.
Almost back to the trailhead, view back along the rim.
View of the eroded cliffs along the rim.
View of the eroded cliffs along the rim.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!