Trifter

Southern Utah is often refered to by locals as the “Redrock Country” due to the dominant color of the landscape.  The formations are spectacular to view at any distance and angle; the colors seem to change as the day goes on.  It’s a photographer’s dream and is very easy on the eyes.  While all this is possible anywhere here, it’s especially enjoyable at these National Parks, State Parks and National Monuments. 

Arches National Park: Obviously named for the hundreds of arch formations within it; there are other types of formations too.  Near the entrance as you start the drive around the park is a feature known as Balanced Rock.  It looks like a boulder balanced on a pedistal; no one can predict how long before it finally collapses. 

One of the first arch formations you come to is the windows; there are two of them, one north and the other south.  From a distance they look like a pair of spectacles; up close they’re fun to take pictures beneath. 

Nearby is Double Arch.  It consists of two arches which are almost mirror images of each other, share one point for one end each and are almost at a 90 degree angle.  As you continue to follow the road there are a number of other arch formations, each with its own unique story and look.  You can also see where other arches once stood that have long since collapsed and faded into history. 

The most famous arch in the park, and the state’s second most famous symbol, is Delicate Arch.  To reach it you have to park your vehicle and hike a trail almost two miles long.  The arch sits on the edge of a sandstone bowl and a steep redrock hill.  For those who can’t make the hike it can also be viewed from a deck in the parking lot.

Near the end of the park drive is Landscape Arch; a long, thing formation that has a few really thin areas.  It would seem there’s not much time before this one will come crashing to the ground.

These are just a few of the many arches and other formations in this place.

Bryce Canyon National Park:  This place is famous for its erosion features and hiking trails; the pinkish orange sandstone pinnacles are called hoodoos.  Many of these have shapes which have given them names.  The most famous is Thor’s Hammer, which doesn’t really look like a hammer.  Another one is called Tower Bridge since it looks like the famous bridge in London.  Another hoodoo that has a British imitation is Queen Victoria; the top greatly resembles a statue of the 19th Century Monarch.  There are many other funny names for other hoodoos; too many to mention. 

The hiking trails are good exercise and great for snapping pictures; they start and end at places dubbed Inspiration Point, Sunrise Point and Sunset Point to name a few. 

Around the rim are many areas to gaze into the park and drink in the spectacular vistas! You’ll also enjoy the attention from the cute ground squirrels that come up hoping for a snack.

Canyonlands National Park:  This is the biggest park and is in two parts; we’ll look at the north.  Within its boundaries are more spectacular land formations including some arches.  One that stands out is Upheaval Dome.  Theories abound as to whether it was formed from something that came up out of the ground or landed from outer space.  Cateract Canyon, which has the Colorado River running through it is popular for white water rafting.  It’s said some National Parks are overvisited; this one is undervisited so if you like solitude this is the place.

Capitol Reef National Park:  This park got its name from the land features which resemble the domes on capitol buildings and others that look like coral reefs.  The most notable formation here is the Golden Throne.  It’s a bit of a hike to get to it but it makes for a great photograph.  Like Canyonlands, Capitol Reef could also do with more visitors.

Zion National Park:  The most famous and visited of Utah’s National Parks.  During summer natural gas shutle buses run the length of the main road within the park.  There is much to see but we’ll look at just a few of the spectacular sights. 

Near the entrance are three rock formations known as the Patriarchs since they look so similar and stand so close to each other.  Weeping Rock is not to be missed but be prepared to get a little wet.  Angels Landing is a long, grueling hike but the view is wonderful from the top of the trail.  Many cliffs are popular for rock climbing.  A famous feature seen from the road is the Great White Throne.  Another formation on a side road is Checkerboard Mesa. 

Kodachrome Basin State Park:  Named for a brand of film from the Kodak company.  This state park features land formations that are a photographer’s dream; they seem to change color starting at sunrise at noon and at sunset.

Hovenweep National Monument:  Straddling the Colorado border, this is the site of an ancient Anasazi settlement.  Here are ruins of dwellings and storage facilities build from the eighth through the twelvth centuries; the same time Europe was in its Medieval period.  Ironically, the formations somewhat resemble medieval castles. 

Four Corners:  There’s nothing like this place anywhere else on Earth; the corners of four states: Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico all meet at one point.  It’s marked by a monument; in the summer it’s popular for photographs but be aware the temperature and the monument get very hot.  The terrain here isn’t very red; it’s more beige but there are attractive formations in the area.  The local Navajos and other tribes take advantage of the tourism, selling their food and art pieces.