June 25, 2023

On our spring RV journey by means of western nationwide parks, we visited Bryce Canyon, an odd panorama of sculpted-pillar hoodoos. Positioned in southern Utah, Bryce sits excessive within the sky, averaging 8,000 toes in elevation. Snowbanks stood head excessive alongside among the overlook paths throughout our late April go to, though temps have been delicate.

Bryce Canyon isn’t really a canyon in any respect however an amphitheater. This geological bowl was filigreed by eons of water runoff and snowmelt. A canyon, however, is carved by a river.

Bryce’s well-known hoodoos — pillars of stone sculpted by erosion and helped alongside by the pressures of freeze and thaw — are concentrated right here in higher numbers than wherever else on earth. In the event you squint proper, they’ll appear to be folks.

Erosion additionally creates arches like this one.

The continued subtraction course of always creates new hoodoos alongside the sides of the amphitheater, and present ones collapse. It’s a reasonably momentary panorama within the grand scheme of issues.

Aspen trunks and snow

I needed to snort witnessing this staring contest between an inquisitive turkey and a park customer.

After the hikes at Zion the day earlier than, I discovered Bryce to be extra of an “overlook park.” We drove the size of the rim, stopping at pullouts to admire turret-like views.

The variety of hoodoos is astonishing.

Like clouds, hoodoos assume varied varieties in your creativeness. Crenellated citadel partitions? Test. Throngs of individuals pressed tightly collectively? Yep, I can see that too.

Hoodoos to be

A fallen tree stretches white, weather-sanded limbs towards the sky.

Castles within the air…

…the place sentinel bushes cling tenuously to cliff edges…

…and your eye can roam and roam.
Up subsequent: A go to to beautiful Pink Hills Desert Backyard in St. George, Utah. For a glance again at majestic Zion Nationwide Park, the place we noticed bighorn sheep, click on right here.
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