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On seeing the sign on your left (or on your right, if hiking there), you have passed beyond the normal boundaries at the park center of Sunrise and Sunset Points and are heading north to Fairyland Point.
Although Fairyland Point doesn't have the reputation of the southern features of the park, such as Inspiration and Bryce Points, it is beautiful, both as an easy rimwalk and as a vigorous trail back through the canyon. More important, on a crowded day, you'll find fewer people on the trail.
The first page covers the outward bound walk along the rim to Fairyland Point. It's a few miles long and an easy hike, meandering along and only ascending and descending a few hundred feet.
The eleven thumbnails which follow lead to larger images, varying from 30K to 75K.
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Forest hoodoos. The word "hoodoo" is insufficient to describe the many types of the wind- and water-eroded pillars that dominate Bryce. The walls of Bryce are dominated by row after row of hoodoos, but the route to Fairyland is dotted by hoodoos of many different types.
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Anthropomorphic hoodoos. No doubt this is a family cluster.
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A view along the trail north, with a few anthropomorphic hoodoos.
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The formations in Bryce have many windows, or holes. Fairyland may have received its name from the wind whistling through various rock openings, a very eerie cry.
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The first thumbnail showed hoodoos lost in a forest; here we have massive hoodoos that dwarf a tall pine.
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Slope hoodoos. The sands ease down the canyon side, but these hoodoos stand firm.
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Although it was mid-October, the weather was warm (for Bryce!), and a few flowers remained.
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Although Bryce is renown for its rock formations, many lovely meadows can be seen along the walk.
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The trail meanders by autumn colors.
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This is a composite of two photos, showing the valley throughout which one returns to the park center. Toward the right, in the distance, the angular red cliff is known as the "sinking ship."
It is worth noting that throughout most of the hike one has glorious views across the canyon.
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Fencing means a return to civilization. And this is the start of the Fairyland descent.
Photography note: The photos were taken with a Sony F707.
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