What a day! I already knew I loved Bryce Canyon, and now I've seen more of it and I love it even more. The "Under the Rim" trail is whole 'nother experience and worth seeing.
Thank you Spencer for adding the duathlon variant. I was going to use it to do the loop solo, then husband John decided to come along. I couldn't pass up the chance to have expert crewing help (especially with the bike setup including fixing a flat beforehand). He met me at Bryce Point and the bottom of Whiteman Trail for water/food resupply, then at Rainbow Point for the transition to bike. Thank you John!
Based on the wind forecast plus my strong preference for downhill instead of uphill biking, I opted to do the loop in the opposite direction. My trekking time was on the slow side (about 8:20), only partly because of the net uphill on foot. The trails are amazing and in good shape, but they ain't easy. Plenty of up/down, a bit of sand, a few down trees to step over or go around, and occasional rocky sections. Plus lots of great flowy singletrack! And of course, amazing views all over the place.
I started just before 7 am and there were already groups of hikers on the early trails. It was nice getting the crowded section out of the way early. It turned quiet after Bryce Point, although I did see backpackers occasionally. Water was trickling down the standard spots (both forks of Yellow Creek, Swamp Canyon at the highest spot you can reach, and a tiny bit in one of the Ponderosa forks). I didn't go looking for Iron Spring.
I heard thunder all afternoon and expected to get wet but didn't. Clouds were threatening by the time I hauled myself up to Rainbow Point, so it was time for a quick turnaround onto the bike. The ride down was fantastic, mostly gliding along, only ~3 uphills and a couple flatter spots.
Happy to finish in under 10 hours after not hitting any of my trekking split goals and then doing the bike way faster than expected.
Wonderful route, super fun experience!