Tuesday, April 2, 2013

A-Z: Bryce Canyon

A-Z: BRYCE CANYON


We love the US National Park Service system and have visited many National Parks and Monuments.  Our Arizona home was in close proximity to several units including Bryce Canyon National Park.

According to Wikipedia:

"Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks."

The area was established as a Monument by President Warren G. Harding on June 8, 1923 at the recommendation of Park Director Stephen Mather.  The U.S. Congress worked to upgrade the Monument and it was deemed a National Park on February 25, 1928.

The first time Dustin and I visited the park we fortunately stopped first at Sunset Point, which in my opinion is the most spectacular viewpoint.  We were drawn to hike down in the the hoodoos and enjoyed the hike very much.  



If you visit Bryce Canyon keep in mind that you enter at the top and have to hike down if you choose to do so, and must be able to physically be able to make it back up.  There is a nice rim overlook trail that is easy that connects Sunrise and Sunset Points if you are not up for a strenuous hike up from the bottom.

Do you know the difference between a National Park and National Monument in the United States?  Generally Parks are designated by Congress and Monuments are designated by the President.



5 comments:

  1. I've never quite understood all the differences, parks, historical sites, monuments, etc. I know a park is supposed to have several different things going for it but sometimes I wonder what they are.

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  2. Didn' t know the difference between a park and a monument...but now I do!!

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Trying to leave a comment again!
    Hi!
    I'm stopping in for the A-Z Challenge! Bryce Canyon is wonderful! Thank you for reminding me of its beauty! Happy A-Zing!
    Alicia from newhousegirl.blogspot.com

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