Anyone Done Under the Rim?

SKLund

Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2016
Messages
459
...in Bryce that is. I'm interested but it seems awfully close to the main road through the park with attendant hordes and tour buses. Whatcha think?
 
...in Bryce that is. I'm interested but it seems awfully close to the main road through the park with attendant hordes and tour buses. Whatcha think?
You mean overnight? There is a quickie under and around the south end of the peninsula ridge I always thought about doing but haven't yet. Just one night and no doggies so I haven't, yet.
 
You mean overnight? There is a quickie under and around the south end of the peninsula ridge I always thought about doing but haven't yet. Just one night and no doggies so I haven't, yet.

Yes overnight, maybe a couple. Should have clarified that.
 
I took it off my list after hearing more about it. It looks like 90% or more of it is down in the forest, well away from the classic Bryce geology. And the dog thing...
Don't want to dissuade you @SKLund ... once you break out back into the Orange it would be spectacular, especially if you added a day or two of off piste and didn't have dog companions.
 
It's a nice backpack, to be sure, but if you're expecting it to be, well, Bryce Canyon the whole time, you'll be sorely disappointed. There are a couple of really nice spots - Dropping down from Rainbow northward is surreal, Swamp Canyon is amazing, and then up past the Hat Shop to Bryce Point is obviously great. Agua Canyon section is pretty nice as well, some good views over the Monument to the west.

Overall, it's a really nice trip with really easy logistics (there's a bus that goes down to Rainbow Point each morning) and I do highly recommend it. Water isn't really a problem (Iron Spring is just fine, NPS literatue notwithstanding) and you don't have to worry about dirt roads when it's raining.

I've done it over a couple of Memorial Days and haven't had issues with crowds. It's permitted so it's thankfully not a free-for-all.

I will say, that in a couple of spots, you wonder what all your tax dollars are going towards, as the trail is a little bit indistinct/brushy. Not a big deal, just enough to whine and moan about if you kind of have an anti-NPS chip on your shoulder to begin with.
 
Once you're out in the BC, you don't really have issue with the tourist hordes. They tend to stay on the rim, while you're obviously Under the Rim. UTR isn't really that long, so if you're looking for a longer hike, you can always tack on the Riggs Spring loop, and even extend your hike on the north end to some of the classics in the Bryce Ampitheater. But then you'll also run into the crowds.

Bear cans are required, and provided free when you get your permit.
 
The other guys pretty much nailed the description. We did it several years ago. It was ok. It's not spectacular Bryce scenery the whole way. Some ugly burned sections. We hardly saw people which was nice. If you're not looking for the most spectacular hike, go for it. We did the 23 mile version in one night. We weren't certain about the water situation so we cached some the night before our trip near our Right Fork Swamp Camp.
 
The other guys pretty much nailed the description. We did it several years ago. It was ok. It's not spectacular Bryce scenery the whole way. Some ugly burned sections. We hardly saw people which was nice. If you're not looking for the most spectacular hike, go for it. We did the 23 mile version in one night. We weren't certain about the water situation so we cached some the night before our trip near our Right Fork Swamp Camp.
Part of the appeal for me is that it's easy/convenient. You can decide "hey I want to go hike UTR" and be out the door in half an hour. Other than the permit (just get there early in the morning and you'll be fine), there's nothing complicated about it.
 
...in Bryce that is. I'm interested but it seems awfully close to the main road through the park with attendant hordes and tour buses. Whatcha think?
I almost did it a few months ago, but we ended up just hitting some of the main trails instead

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
It's a nice backpack, to be sure, but if you're expecting it to be, well, Bryce Canyon the whole time, you'll be sorely disappointed. There are a couple of really nice spots - Dropping down from Rainbow northward is surreal, Swamp Canyon is amazing, and then up past the Hat Shop to Bryce Point is obviously great. Agua Canyon section is pretty nice as well, some good views over the Monument to the west.

Overall, it's a really nice trip with really easy logistics (there's a bus that goes down to Rainbow Point each morning) and I do highly recommend it. Water isn't really a problem (Iron Spring is just fine, NPS literatue notwithstanding) and you don't have to worry about dirt roads when it's raining.

I've done it over a couple of Memorial Days and haven't had issues with crowds. It's permitted so it's thankfully not a free-for-all.

I will say, that in a couple of spots, you wonder what all your tax dollars are going towards, as the trail is a little bit indistinct/brushy. Not a big deal, just enough to whine and moan about if you kind of have an anti-NPS chip on your shoulder to begin with.

Much help thanks.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Parma Has Anyone Here Done Alta Via 1? Trip Planning 25
ADubs Looking for info from anyone who has done the Egypt loop and exited via 25mile wash (Escalante). Trip Planning 3
uintahiker Hiawaitha Bike Trail- anyone done it? Trip Planning 0
J Anyone done the drive from Vegas to Escalante Utah? Trip Planning 3
P Has anyone had a knee replaced, and still backpacks? General Discussion 10
J Anyone in the Thorofare in the past couple of weeks? Trip Planning 0
Rockskipper @Bob or anyone know why they closed down part of the forest near W. Yellowstone? General Discussion 6
Rockskipper Lunar eclipse shots anyone? Post 'em here. Photography 10
Rockskipper Anyone feel this? 4.2 near Silver Gate General Discussion 4
OwenM Anyone here familiar with North Cascades NP? Trip Planning 9
marquiri Anyone Submit Their Application for Glacier Yesterday? Trip Planning 3
fossana Anyone know what happened to the USGS topo map API? General Discussion 12
Chuck the Mauler Anyone know General Discussion 7
Parma Pssst, don't tell anyone but Canyonlands is opening up General Discussion 3
Perry Anyone Have any Experience with Sierra Designs Nitro 800 0-degree Sleeping Bag Gear 11
Ross Anyone want to do East Fork Fat Man's Misery-Barracks-Labyrinth Falls Oct 15 (tues) Trip Planning 0
NorthwestWanderer Anyone here accidentally stumble upon illegal grow operations? General Discussion 17
DrNed Has Anyone Used The Bivystick? Gear 11
Perry Anyone Have Experience with a Gregory Optic 48? Gear 3
ScienceMom Hello from Vegas! And anyone have advice for helping reluctant-hikers enjoy backpacking more? Noobs: Introduce yourself! 25
kimbur96 Back again, anyone using a teardrop? General Discussion 11
Ross Anyone for Lake Powell canyons (Iceberg,Davis,Willow/Cape Solitude/Canaan Mtn Trip Planning 0
Ross Anyone know if Sleepy Hollow campground, Caineville, exists? Trip Planning 5
Darkstardirewolf Anyone hiked Moran Canyon? General Discussion 0
Perry Backpacking Rain Poncho - Anyone Use One? Gear 14
Rockskipper Has anyone driven the Denali road to Wonder Lake in their own vehicle? General Discussion 11
Perry MSR Trailshot - Anyone Tried One Yet? Gear 11
Kris Hehl Anyone selling their Havasu Lodge/permit/campsite 2017? General Discussion 1
balzaccom Anyone else take this in your FAK? Trip Planning 5
Dave Firewatch, anyone? General Discussion 3
Nanda Anyone going out this weekend? Trip Planning 12
JoshuaDyal Anyone use foot powder Gear 3
D Anyone been to Tatahatso Point, Navajo Nation Trip Planning 1
A Anyone been to Death hollow/ escalante recently? Trip Planning 2
McGimpkins The only backpack anyone should ever buy General Discussion 4
balzaccom Andes Anyone? Backpacking 8
M Anyone Been on the HITR Road lately? Any Springs flowing? Trip Planning 1
Bob Anyone a Runner? General Discussion 0
mike54704 Anyone know how the trail to Conundrum Hot Springs in CO would be the first week of March? Trip Planning 5
J Anyone have experience camping/hiking with young kids? General Discussion 7
Kullaberg63 Anyone know where this petroglyph is located? General Discussion 5
M Anyone been down around Cedar Mesa lately? Trip Planning 5
Dave Anyone in Kanab? Trip Planning 2
Dave Anyone shot with the new Canon 16-35? Photography 44
Laura Anyone know if the rockfall on HWY 89 out of Page has been cleared yet? General Discussion 6
standfast85 Can anyone identify this pack? Gear 0
SirDonB Anyone From the Northeastern NY area Meet Up (Members Only) 0
TrektheWorld Anyone from the Denver area Colorado who would want to meet up this summer for a CO or UT jaunt? Meet Up (Members Only) 1
J Anyone ever seen black widow spiders in Utah? General Discussion 49
J Anyone been through Death Hollow recently? Trip Planning 25

Similar threads

Back
Top