This is our first successful visit to Cedar Breaks National Monument, which is situated at an elevation of 10,500-feet. On the only other occasion that we came here (April 1977) the park's approach road was closed due to snow. There are patches of snow today, both on the short walk from the car park to the Visitor Centre, and amongst the park's rock formations. The park has only recently opened after being closed for the winter.

 

The Visitor Centre is located close to the rim of a large, multi-coloured geological amphitheatre that contains amazing rock formations. A short walk along this rim to Point Supreme provides breathtaking views across the 3-mile wide amphitheatre. We are able to admire the views from the rim, and from the Ramparts Trail where the path is wet and muddy from recently thawed snow.

We drive along another section of the amphitheatre's rim, stopping at Sunset View, Chessman Ridge Overlook (where we walk part of the Alpine Pond Trail) , and North View. We then continue our drive towards Bryce Canyon via Panguitch, stopping at Red Canyon (below) to walk the short, but very steep, Birdseye Trail.

Birdseye Trail in Red Canyon.

On our two previous visits to Bryce Canyon National Park we have stayed within the park at one of its traditional lodges. This year we are staying just outside the park at the Best Western Ruby's Inn. Our large, motel-type room is in the Lakeview Lodge section of the complex, from where we stroll across to the Inn's main section for a buffet style meal that includes salmon (J) and pot roast (D) - just beating the rush from large numbers of coach passengers. Later in the evening we enter the park to view the sunset from Bryce Point.

(6) Tuesday, June 1st: After watching a film (Shadows of Time) at the park's Visitor Centre, we walk along the canyon rim to Sunrise Point, then walk into the canyon following the Garden Trail to the Queen's Garden, then return to Sunrise Point via the Navajo Loop Trail. Although we have seen the amazing scenery of Bryce Canyon on two previous occasions, the incredible shapes and colours of the hoodoos are still awe-inspiring.