Bryce Canyon National Park

In addition to camping and 50 miles of hiking trails, the park offers stunning geological panoramas along 18 miles of the plateau rim. Ancient sedimentation, uplift and compression related to the formation of the Rocky Mountains deformed the rocks, and eventual erosion has contributed to the Hoodoos seen today in Bryce Canyon.

President Warren G. Harding sign the proclamation making Bryce Canyon a National Monument in 1923. The Park was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who along with his wife settled in the area in 1875 to raise cattle. In 1928 the legeslation passed that changed the name to Bryce Canyon National Park.

It was sooo cold the day we visited (evidenced by the snow to the upper left) that upon leaving the truck I had to hurry, hurry, hurry to take pictures. It was too cold and windy, staying at any overlook for any good length of time was not possible (for us anyway). I still asked Don to stop at every single overlook anyway so I could capture pictures of Bryce Canyon.

Hoodoos are stand alone pillars of natural pink and white limestone rock, usually of fantastic shapes that seem to cast a spell upon those who visit. The limestone's display of rich color has been further stained by minerals, creating a splashy display of light pinks and yellows to deeply hued reds and oranges.

Almost looks like the bust of a person formed on the top of the hoodoo.

In addition to the hoodoos, ponderosa pine, spruce, fir and aspen are also found deep within the Canyon.

It seemed that every look out along the 18 miles was different.

We did find a couple of "arch windows" in the park.

By the time we arrived at Inspiration Point I was already so very cold that I almost did not walk out the the distant platform and would have missed all these unique and awesome hoodoos. By the time I finally did get back to the car I needed a good cup of hot chocolate to warm me.

It is like the choir lined up in order to perform some great aria.

Note we are 8,295 feet above sea level.






I think Bryce Canyon National Park is perhaps one of the most unique and beautiful of the Utah National Parks. I'd go there again.

TTFN, Karen and Don