Riggs Spring Loop

Hike Name: Riggs Spring Loop Location: southwest UT Length: 8 Submitted by: Aaron Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Utah trail reviews Utah national parks Utah state parks
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Description
This hike originates from Rainbow Point in Bryce Canyon National Park. You must obtain a backcountry permit from the Ranger Station at the park entrance prior to your departure to hike this trail. Permits can be obtained for $5 each. Park entry is $20 per one vehicle unless you use a National Park Pass in which case the entry fee is waived.

The trail is a loop with 3 marked campgrounds along the way. All camping must be done within 100 feet of a designated campground. The Riggs Spring Campground is the one best positioned to make this a light, two-day thru-hike being the closest to a halfway point along the hike. Small black bears have been known to inhabit the area, so be sure to string all food up in a tree or use a bear proof can.

When departing from Rainbow Point, you can take the trail east or southwest. Heading east will give you a longer hike in (aprox 5 miles) to Riggs Spring Campground but is mostly downhill and at a gradual descent. This leaves the hike out a fairly short but strenuous 3 mile ascent to the canyon rim through Yovimpa Pass. If you would rather have a shorter trip in and a more gradual ascent out, you may desire to start out on the trail in the southwesterly direction instead.

This hike affords many spectacular views of the Hoodoos and surrounding vistas from the crests of various ridgelines as well as some very amazing views of the hoodoos (the tall spire formations carved by erosion) from the valley floor. This hike is best done in spring or fall as temperatures near the bottom can reach 100+ in mid-summer during the day. Water is very scarce in this area. Be sure to take plenty of water. Park Service recommends one gallon per person per day. There is one water source (Riggs Spring) at the campground. The spring is barely a trickle and some might be discouraged by the water color (rust colored) and silt present. A good quality filter or purifier will remove most if not all color. My MSR Waterworks II removed all color and flavor from the water but the silt in the water clogged my ceramic filter (easily cleaned by lightly rubbing the silt off the ceramic element) after two 32 oz Nalgene Bottles and a 2 liter water bladder fillup.

Directions to Hike
The trail head can be reached by following the 18 mile Bryce Canyon Road to Rainbow Point where the road ends. The Park can be reached by taking US-89 south from Panguitch, UT to Utah State Road 12 east to Utah State Road 63 south.

Contact Information
Bryce Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 170001

Bryce Canyon, UT
United States
84717
(435) 834-5322

http://www.nps.gov/brca/

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