Queen's/Navajo Combination Loop
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The elevation hovers around 8,000 feet, and the thousand-foot climb out on the Navajo switchbacks will hit harder than you expect if you're coming from sea level. Take it slow and bring more water than you think you need — the dry air and altitude conspire to dehydrate you fast.
In early spring and late fall, the Navajo Loop switchbacks accumulate ice and packed snow that can persist for weeks. Microspikes are essential from roughly November through March — the trail becomes genuinely treacherous without them.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Hike the loop counterclockwise — descend Queen's Garden first, climb Navajo Loop second. The Queen's Garden descent is gentler on your knees, and the Navajo switchbacks are easier going up than down, especially if they're icy or sandy.
Park at Sunrise Point lot early (before 9 AM in summer) or take the free park shuttle, which runs every 12-15 minutes. By mid-morning the lot fills completely and you'll waste 30 minutes circling.
The Wall Street narrows section of the Navajo Loop closes seasonally when rockfall risk is high — check at the visitor center before you start. When it's open, pause at the bottom of Wall Street and look straight up for the most dramatic photo on the trail.
Photos
NPS
