In 1928 Bryce Canyon was officially named a national park. The majestic local is filled with giant rock formations called Hoodoos, lending the landscape a beautifully eerie feel; in fact, the early European settlers named the rocks after the word voodoo and the native Americans believed that the formations would come to life as giants that threw rocks to ward off intruders. Although called a ‘canyon’ the place is actually an amphitheater and was created from an entirely different process than the normal river erosion. See below for how…
Because of the high altitude of the park (the rim spanning from 8,000 to 9,000 ft above sea level), the area sees freezing temperatures as much as 360 days each year. This has allowed for the magnificent formations to come to life through a unique process of freezing and thawing that breaks the rocks away.
Whether you call Bryce a canyon or an amphitheater, it does not really matter. The geological significance of this site, along with the wide range of sediments that add the myriad of colors to its giant walls, make it an outrageously magnificent place to visit. These photos were from a visit I made there a few weeks ago. After having the pleasure of seeing both sunset and sunrise there, my advice to everyone is to see this place at least once in your life. It is a true national treasure.
