| Bryce Canyon is not a canyon. It is the | | | | warmer months there are plenty of trails for the |
| spectacular edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, a | | | | visitor to explore, ranging from easy strolls to |
| place where intricately carved towers and | | | | hard hikes. Some of the best trails are located in |
| archways of stone shimmer in a dazzling array of | | | | the Bryce Amphitheatre, located near the entry |
| colour under the bright sun.The state of Utah in | | | | to the park.Here you can wander through the |
| the United States is home to many beautiful | | | | Queen's Garden, or gaze up at Queen Victoria |
| National Parks, and Bryce Canyon National Park | | | | herself surveying the 'flowers' in her garden. |
| ranks as one of the most magnificent and awe | | | | Some of the most awe inspiring lookouts are |
| inspiring.15 million years ago the earth in this region | | | | situated in this area, including Sunset Point and |
| began to shift, forming a series of plateaus. The | | | | Inspiration Point - a must for any visitor.Walkers |
| Paunsaugunt is an extensive plateau, with the | | | | can also follow the Fairyland, Riggs Spring and |
| Paria River gradually eroding away the edge to | | | | Under-the-Rim trails, which are longer, but allow |
| form Bryce Canyon.The rock in Bryce Canyon is | | | | more opportunities to see the different elements |
| composed of layer after layer of sediment | | | | of the park at close quarters.Summer months |
| deposits, deposited millions of years ago when the | | | | can cause temperatures in the base of the |
| area was at the bottom of a lake. Now the Paria | | | | canyon to soar, so it is very important to be |
| River has exposed the layers, allowing a detailed | | | | prepared for the heat, and carry plenty of |
| history of the lake to be determined.The Park | | | | water.In winter the roads are opened between |
| itself was established in 1924, and was named | | | | snowfalls, allowing a totally different perspective |
| after an early settler in the area, Ebenezer Bryce. | | | | of the park. Snow capped pinnacles stand out |
| He emigrated from Scotland, married a local girl | | | | sharply against the background of white snow and |
| then moved southwards in stages, building | | | | dark green trees. The air is also cleaner, allowing |
| sawmills as he went.In the mid 1870s he reached | | | | visitors to see great distances.For the energetic, it |
| the Paria River, where he and his family settled | | | | is possible to cross-country ski in a number of |
| for a number of years. It was at this time that | | | | areas in the park, and on some trails it is possible |
| Bryce made his immortal comment about Bryce | | | | to go snowshoeing instead of hiking.If you want a |
| Canyon - he called it "one hell of a place to lose a | | | | slightly different view of the park, it is possible to |
| cow".The area remained basically undiscovered by | | | | explore the park in a 1930 limousine. Alternatively, |
| European tourists, the first guest houses only | | | | you can rent a horse on an hourly basis to trek |
| being constructed around the time when the park | | | | some of the better trails.There is plenty of |
| was officially established.Luckily this has led to | | | | interest to explore in the park, apart from the |
| Bryce Canyon being an area of largely unspoiled | | | | marvellous scenery of the 'silent city', as the |
| beauty, as well as the enormous scientific value | | | | hoodoos are sometimes called. The park also |
| of the historic information trapped in its pinnacles | | | | contains a large variety of plants and wildlife, |
| and spires.The canyon is by no means a stagnant | | | | including meadows and forests.Ground squirrels |
| place - the rim recedes by an average of about a | | | | abound near the viewing areas, and their antics |
| foot every 50 years, and in this ever changing | | | | are almost enough to distract the visitor's eyes |
| scene it is water that plays the most vital role in | | | | from the scenery. On quiet mornings and |
| the shaping and eventual destruction of the | | | | evenings it is also possible to see deer, elk and |
| magnificent scenery.Because the rock was laid | | | | antelope grazing on the meadows.Some bears |
| down in layers, there is a variation in the hardness | | | | and mountain lions also enter the park |
| of the rock formed. When water runoff trickles | | | | occasionally, but are rarely seen by tourists.Bryce |
| across the rock, some areas erode rapidly | | | | Canyon is a hidden jewel, thoroughly deserving to |
| whereas others hold firm.This variation in erosion | | | | be as well known as its southern neighbour, the |
| speed causes the formation of pinnacles, or | | | | Grand Canyon. Include it on your itinerary, and |
| "hoodoos" of stable rock. In some places the | | | | you definitely won't be disappointed.In fact, you |
| water seeps down through cracks and eats out | | | | may be completely overwhelmed by the |
| holes beneath the surface. When the side rock | | | | fascinating and awe inspiring beauty of Bryce |
| erodes away, an archway is left behind.Eventually | | | | Canyon, just like almost every other |
| the arch collapses, leaving two more pillars to join | | | | visitor.Copyright Felicity Walker 2005Travelling the |
| the rest. The ever changing vista of colours, | | | | national parks in the US is one of the author's |
| spires, walls and archways is spectacular at any | | | | favorite things to do. Check out or for more |
| season, and the park is open all year round.In the | | | | information. |