Bryce Canyon is a small National Park in southwestern Utah. Named after the Mormon Pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, Bryce Canyon became a National Park in 1924.
Besides that quality Bryce is famous for its worldly unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. The erosional force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have shaped the colorful limestone rock of the Claron Formation into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called "hoodoos." Tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name, these whimsically arranged rocks create a wondrous landscape of mazes, offering some of the most exciting and memorable walks and hikes imaginable.
Ponderosa pines, high elevation meadows, and fir-spruce forests border the rim of the plateau and abound with wildlife. This area boasts some of the world's best air quality, offering panoramic views of three states and approaching 200 miles of visibility. This, coupled with the lack of nearby large light sources, creates unparalleled opportunities for stargazing.
While very hot during summer, winters can be frigid with tons of snow. And when the park road is closed to motorized vehicles in the winter, people come here to do cross-country skiing.
Besides of the Grand Canyon this was the biggest experience for me over all the years I have done traveling the United States. And I have a hunch that I will be returning to this place not only once....
We visited the park and as you found it outstanding, unique and special.
ReplyDeleteWe hiked all over the park for 4 days and were amazed to find new "view" after every turn.