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Bryce
Canyon - a stunning US
travel destination
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by: Felicity
Walker
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Bryce
Canyon is not a canyon. It is
the spectacular edge of the
Paunsaugunt Plateau, a place
where intricately carved
towers and archways of stone
shimmer in a dazzling array of
colour under the bright sun.
The state of Utah in the
United States is home to many
beautiful National Parks, and
Bryce Canyon National Park
ranks as one of the most
magnificent and awe inspiring.
15 million years ago the earth
in this region began to shift,
forming a series of plateaus.
The Paunsaugunt is an
extensive plateau, with the
Paria River gradually eroding
away the edge to form Bryce
Canyon.
The rock in Bryce Canyon is
composed of layer after layer
of sediment deposits,
deposited millions of years
ago when the area was at the
bottom of a lake. Now the
Paria River has exposed the
layers, allowing a detailed
history of the lake to be
determined.
The Park itself was
established in 1924, and was
named after an early settler
in the area, Ebenezer Bryce.
He emigrated from Scotland,
married a local girl then
moved southwards in stages,
building sawmills as he went.
In the mid 1870s he reached
the Paria River, where he and
his family settled for a
number of years. It was at
this time that Bryce made his
immortal comment about Bryce
Canyon - he called it
"one hell of a place to
lose a cow".
The area remained basically
undiscovered by European
tourists, the first guest
houses only being constructed
around the time when the park
was officially established.
Luckily this has led to Bryce
Canyon being an area of
largely unspoiled beauty, as
well as the enormous
scientific value of the
historic information trapped
in its pinnacles and spires.
The canyon is by no means a
stagnant place - the rim
recedes by an average of about
a foot every 50 years, and in
this ever changing scene it is
water that plays the most
vital role in the shaping and
eventual destruction of the
magnificent scenery.
Because the rock was laid down
in layers, there is a
variation in the hardness of
the rock formed. When water
runoff trickles across the
rock, some areas erode rapidly
whereas others hold firm.
This variation in erosion
speed causes the formation of
pinnacles, or
"hoodoos" of stable
rock. In some places the water
seeps down through cracks and
eats out holes beneath the
surface. When the side rock
erodes away, an archway is
left behind.
Eventually the arch collapses,
leaving two more pillars to
join the rest. The ever
changing vista of colours,
spires, walls and archways is
spectacular at any season, and
the park is open all year
round.
In the warmer months there are
plenty of trails for the
visitor to explore, ranging
from easy strolls to hard
hikes. Some of the best trails
are located in the Bryce
Amphitheatre, located near the
entry to the park.
Here you can wander through
the Queen's Garden, or gaze up
at Queen Victoria herself
surveying the 'flowers' in her
garden. Some of the most awe
inspiring lookouts are
situated in this area,
including Sunset Point and
Inspiration Point - a must for
any visitor.
Walkers can also follow the
Fairyland, Riggs Spring and
Under-the-Rim trails, which
are longer, but allow more
opportunities to see the
different elements of the park
at close quarters.
Summer months can cause
temperatures in the base of
the canyon to soar, so it is
very important to be prepared
for the heat, and carry plenty
of water.
In winter the roads are opened
between snowfalls, allowing a
totally different perspective
of the park. Snow capped
pinnacles stand out sharply
against the background of
white snow and dark green
trees. The air is also
cleaner, allowing visitors to
see great distances.
For the energetic, it is
possible to cross-country ski
in a number of areas in the
park, and on some trails it is
possible to go snowshoeing
instead of hiking.
If you want a slightly
different view of the park, it
is possible to explore the
park in a 1930 limousine.
Alternatively, you can rent a
horse on an hourly basis to
trek some of the better
trails.
There is plenty of interest to
explore in the park, apart
from the marvellous scenery of
the 'silent city', as the
hoodoos are sometimes called.
The park also contains a large
variety of plants and
wildlife, including meadows
and forests.
Ground squirrels abound near
the viewing areas, and their
antics are almost enough to
distract the visitor's eyes
from the scenery. On quiet
mornings and evenings it is
also possible to see deer, elk
and antelope grazing on the
meadows.
Some bears and mountain lions
also enter the park
occasionally, but are rarely
seen by tourists.
Bryce Canyon is a hidden
jewel, thoroughly deserving to
be as well known as its
southern neighbour, the Grand
Canyon. Include it on your
itinerary, and you definitely
won't be disappointed.
In fact, you may be completely
overwhelmed by the fascinating
and awe inspiring beauty of
Bryce Canyon, just like almost
every other visitor.
About the Author
Travelling the national
parks in the US is one of the
author's favorite things to
do. Check out http://www.travelusinfozone.com
or http://www.travelusinfozone.com/bryce-canyon/
for more information.
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