Hiking Peekaboo Part 1

When Darla mentioned a couple of months ago that she would like to hike the Peekaboo loop I took a look at the map and read the trail description and with all the sincerity I could muster, I said the words that usually make my life easier “yes dear I’d love too.” In the back of my mind I couldn’t help but think about the 5.5 mile loop with an elevation change of 1571 feet and multiple elevation changes. Can I do this? Should I do this? Why did I say I would this? To say I was apprehensive is an understatement. For the next couple weeks I would talk to people that had completed the hike and I found little comfort in their stories of the hike. They all agree it’s a beautiful hike and that the reward is worth the effort.

The day has arrived it’s time to confront my fears, calm my mind and enjoy the beauty that is Peekaboo. As we approach the trail head we were warned that emergency crews were working to remove an injured hiker with a broken ankle from the Peekaboo trail.

 

 

As we start our descent into the canyon we see beautiful aerial views for hundreds of miles. But spectacular is still to come.

 

 

Somewhere around the one mile mark we got our first Peekaboo.

 

 

Just passed our first Peekaboo we encountered the Search and Rescue team evacuating the injured hiker.

 

 

As we continued on the views just got more spectacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Search and Rescue the Secret Hero’s of the National Park.

June 20, 2018

We decided to hike Peekaboo loop, its a 5.5 mile strenuous hike with an elevation change of 1571 feet. Steep trails with many elevation changes, it has beautiful views from the heart of Bryce Canyon National Park. As we approached the parking area for the trail head we were warned by park personnel that emergency crews were working on Peekaboo trail trying to bring up an injured hiker.

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As we hiked down the trail we came upon a relief crew waiting for the 1st crew to bring the injured hiker to them so they could finish hiking the hiker out.

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To watch these men and women do their job was amazing. These are athletes in top physical condition. Watching them ascending the canyon you would think the gurney was on a cloud. The lead persons job is to clear the trail and let the crew behind them know the trail conditions.

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The pace that they were traveling was urgent but that gurney with one wheel was steady as can be.

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Thank you to all the Men and Women that are Search and Rescue.