Our trip to Utah wouldn't be complete without
a visit to Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park
does not contain one main canyon,
but rather a dozen smaller ravines eroded into the
east side of a ridge running approximately north-south
at the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in south west Utah.
This erosion has resulted in thousands of bizarre and
fragile rock formations in many subtle shades of
pink, white, yellow and red.
The Park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, a mormon farmer who
was the first modern-day settler in the region.
The Grand Staircase:
The main ridge forms part of the Pink Cliffs, which are the highest
and most geologically recent of a series of escarpments known
as the Grand Staircase stretching across south Utah, formed by erosion
and uplift of differently coloured sandstone rock layers.
The cliffs are named according to the dominant rock colour:
(running northwards, from the Grand Canyon) - Chocolate, Vermilion
(visible most spectacularly around Lees Ferry, AZ), White (which surround Zion Canyon),
Gray and Pink. Most of the Grand Staircase is now contained within the new
Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument.
EROSION:
Water was initially responsible for creating the rock shapes in Bryce Canyon.
Rain and melting snow flowing down
the Pink Cliffs towards the Paria River form ridges, or fins, which subsequently erode into the spires, pinnacles
and other shapes (collectively known as 'Hoodoos') which are left standing.
In time these too erode, and the whole process moves westwards as more of the cliff is gradually worn away.
TRAILS:
The increase in visitation over the last few years has required
a major renovation of the latter stages of the park road,
and has led to the introduction of access restrictions
during the summer; vehicles over 25 feet long are
not allowed beyond Bryce Point, about one third of the way
along the road. A shuttlebus service is provided instead.
However, as with most National Parks, the best way
to appreciate Bryce Canyon is to explore away from
the main roads.
There are various trails both along the rim and down through
the formations, but probably the best is the Fairyland Loop Trail,
an 8 mile, little-used route which descends 900 feet from the
ridge road and winds through many of the fins and spires
giving a more intimate and personal view of the park.
Light: Many of the formations have received official names,
such as Tower Bridge, reached via a short side-track,
which resembles one of the Thames bridges in London.
The park is especially beautiful at sunrise,
when the rapidly changing light and shadows
make the landscape even more magical.
Sunsets are not so good, as the main ridge shields
the park from the west.
As you can see by our pictures, the weather is catching up to us,
so it's time to move on to our last stop...
Lake Powell
Next Stop.....
Lake Powell
"Aura of Indigo"
A Semtimental Rag
By Fred Hoeptner
Performed by John Roache
Last updated on: 19 September, 2009
DIRECTORY
Calgary Stampede
Hot Air Balloon Festival
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