Golden Wall / Castle Bridge Loop hike

There is not a super well-defined trailhead for this hike! You will only see a large metal sign with arrows pointing towards the Castle Bridge Trail and the Golden Wall Trail. Just past these signs you will cross a wash — a dried up creek bed that flows during flash floods — and then begin on the well-defined trail.

This path winds through sparse ponderosa pines as it slowly ascends the canyon. Soon you will reach a well signed junction, turn left here towards the Castle Bridge Trail. This path switchbacks up then starts to veer right. Soon you will be above almost all the trees and have fantastic views of the canyon. Red cliffs and beautiful hoodoos permeate your entire view!

Unlike many rock formations you will see in the Grand Canyon or Zion Canyon, hoodoos were not totally carved by erosion. They were, in fact, principally caused by the freezing and thawing of snow and ice every winter! The expansion of the ice has carved them out, creating the completely vertical spires that precariously perch themselves on the rock.

After climbing and descending the ridge you will come to another intersection. Turn right here to go along the Golden Wall Trail back to the parking lot. This path once again meanders through absolutely stunning pine trees. Soon you will find yourself back at the wash and your parked car.