| Located within Bryce Canyon National Park, Fairyland Loop Trail is the northernmost hiking loop in the park. It can be accessed from Fairyland Point, North Campground and Sunset Point. The trail leads eight miles from the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, through Fairyland Canyon and into Campbell Canyon. It is considered strenuous by Park Service personnel as it gains 1,000 feet in elevation.Beginning this hike from Fairyland Point hikers will leave the Paunsaugunt Plateau descending steadily into Fairyland Canyon. Approximately one half mile from the trailhead the route turns sharply southward and crosses the head of the drainage. The track parallels the main drainage and crosses another small wash within a quarter mile of the first. Continuing downstream Fairyland Loop Trail remains on the southern bank of the canyon then crosses the mesa between Fairyland and Campbell Canyons.Fairyland Loop Trail reaches 7,500 feet southeast of Boat Mesa before descending into the Campbell Canyon drainage. It crosses four small washes as it winds into the canyon along several switchbacks. At 7,250 feet the track reaches the bottom of Campbell Canyon. In the bottom of the wash is a trail intersection. Turning left at this junction will lead hikers to a viewpoint of Tower Bridge, which is less than a quarter mile down canyon.The main trail leads up canyon through the bottom of the wash for approximately one-quarter mile. After passing a side canyon on the left the trail climbs the southern wall of the drainage, leading westward to the Chinese Wall formation. Fairyland Loop Trail ascends for the next mile, passing Chinese Wall and reaching a trail junction at 8,000 feet. At this junction turn right to continue along the Fairyland Loop.The track levels as it follows the Pink Cliffs northward past North Campground and access to that facility. The trail winds along the eastern edge of the plateau, turning eastward approximately three-quarters of a mile from North Campground. During the next mile and a quarter Fairyland Loop Trail winds northeastward, passing Boat Mesa and ending at Fairyland Point. |
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