South West USA
Bryce Canyon

At the top of the vast "Grand Staircase" of Southwest USA is Bryce Canyon - a fragile layer of sedimentary rock that time has eroded into unbelievable shapes. The rock is stained with minerals that yield garish reds, subtler pinks and contrasting whites and greys. The stacks (called 'hoodoos') form where a harder topstone resists erosion and allows the material below it to remain many years after the surrounding rock has gone.

The principal agent of erosion here is frost, which expands to open up hidden cracks. As the ice melts the shards of rock tumble into the gaps and continue the process of reshaping this weird scenery.		Bryce is not really a canyon - there is no river and no gorge. Nor was the 'Bryce' name particularly significant in its long history. Ebenezer Bryce was a Mormon settler who held this land for a while. His recorded comment that "it's a helluver place to lose a cow!" is some indication of the labyrinth that nature has created here.
	You can walk down into the labyrinth and experience the wonder close-up... but don't go down there if you suffer from claustrophobia!
	Bryce is a place you can visit in a half-day, if you're pressed for time. Admission is $20 per vehicle, which allows 7 days admission. There is wildlife to see, and the sights are worth a longer visit if you have time. If you want to follow the trails down through the hoodoos, be sure to wear good walking boots or shoes.
©Derrick Phillips 2004