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USA: Utah favorites

139 images Created 3 Jun 2015

Favorite Utah state photos by Tom Dempsey:

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  • Pleasure-Way RV at sunrise near Little Wild Horse Canyon in San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Utah, USA. Hike a classic loop from Little Wild Horse Canyon to Bell Canyon. This great walk (an 8.6-mile circuit with 900 feet gain) is a short drive on a paved road from Goblin Valley State Park. The hike via fascinating narrow slot canyons and open mesas requires some scrambling over rocks, possibly through shallow water holes (which were dry for us on Sept 20, 2020 but wet in April 2006). Thanks to the greatest legislative victory in the history of SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance), in 2019, Congress passed the Emery County Public Land Management Act, which declared 663,000 acres of wilderness, including Little Wild Horse Canyon Wilderness, in San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Utah, USA. The Navajo and Wingate sandstone of the San Rafael Reef was uplifted fifty million years ago into a striking bluff which now runs from Price to Hanksville, bisected by Interstate 70 at a breach fifteen miles west of the town of Green River.
    20.10US1-0375.jpg
  • Zebra Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. From Hole-in-the-Rock Road, hike east on a well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip with 450 feet total gain to Zebra Slot. Multiple overlapping photos were stitched to make this panorama.
    20.10US1-0208-219-Pano.jpg
  • Tower Arch, in Klondike Bluffs, in Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-0216.jpg
  • A Datura flower blooms in Dry Fork Coyote Gulch at the entrance to Peekaboo Gulch in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. The Datura genus is in the Potato (Solanaceae) Family, also known as the Deadly Nightshade Family. Its large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom March through November. Corollas are up to 6 inches long, have 5 teeth and are often tinged with purple or lavender around the edges. The flower opens after dusk then usually closes by mid-morning.
    20.10US1-0068.jpg
  • Colorful sandstone patterns are revealed in the slot of Little Wild Horse Canyon. San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Utah, USA. Hike a classic loop from Little Wild Horse Canyon to Bell Canyon, in the San Rafael Reef. This great walk (an 8.6-mile circuit with 900 feet gain) is a short drive on a paved road from Goblin Valley State Park. The hike via fascinating narrow slot canyons and open mesas requires some scrambling over rocks, possibly through shallow water holes (which were dry for us on Sept 20, 2020 but wet in April 2006). Thanks to the greatest legislative victory in the history of SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance), in 2019, Congress passed the Emery County Public Land Management Act, which declared 663,000 acres of wilderness, including Little Wild Horse Canyon Wilderness, in San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Utah, USA. The Navajo and Wingate sandstone of the San Rafael Reef was uplifted fifty million years ago into a striking bluff which now runs from Price to Hanksville, bisected by Interstate 70 at a breach fifteen miles west of the town of Green River.
    20.10US1-0440.jpg
  • Double Arch erodes from Entrada Sandstone in Arches National Park, Utah. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation.
    06UT_3078-Double_Arch.jpg
  • Colorful wavy sandstone layers are revealed in the slot of Little Wild Horse Canyon. San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Utah, USA. Hike a classic loop from Little Wild Horse Canyon to Bell Canyon, in the San Rafael Reef. This great walk (an 8.6-mile circuit with 900 feet gain) is a short drive on a paved road from Goblin Valley State Park. The hike via fascinating narrow slot canyons and open mesas requires some scrambling over rocks, possibly through shallow water holes (which were dry for us on Sept 20, 2020 but wet in April 2006). Thanks to the greatest legislative victory in the history of SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance), in 2019, Congress passed the Emery County Public Land Management Act, which declared 663,000 acres of wilderness, including Little Wild Horse Canyon Wilderness, in San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Utah, USA. The Navajo and Wingate sandstone of the San Rafael Reef was uplifted fifty million years ago into a striking bluff which now runs from Price to Hanksville, bisected by Interstate 70 at a breach fifteen miles west of the town of Green River.
    20.10US1-0424.jpg
  • Druid Arch, in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-0903.jpg
  • The honeycomb weathering on this vertical sandstone wall is a type of tafoni. Hike a classic loop from Little Wild Horse Canyon to Bell Canyon, in the San Rafael Reef, Utah, USA. This great walk (an 8.6-mile circuit with 900 feet gain) is a short drive on a paved road from Goblin Valley State Park. The hike via fascinating narrow slot canyons and open mesas requires some scrambling over rocks, possibly through shallow water holes (which were dry for us on Sept 20, 2020 but wet in April 2006). Thanks to the greatest legislative victory in the history of SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance), in 2019, Congress passed the Emery County Public Land Management Act, which declared 663,000 acres of wilderness, including Little Wild Horse Canyon Wilderness, in San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Utah, USA. The Navajo and Wingate sandstone of the San Rafael Reef was uplifted fifty million years ago into a striking bluff which now runs from Price to Hanksville, bisected by Interstate 70 at a breach fifteen miles west of the town of Green River.
    20.10US1-0398.jpg
  • In Capitol Reef National Park, we hiked impressive sandstone gorges via Chimney Rock Loop trail plus a wonderful side trip down Chimney Rock Canyon as far as Spring Canyon (totalling 7 miles round trip with 1300 ft gain), near Torrey, Utah, USA.
    20.10US1-0291.jpg
  • Zebra Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. From Hole-in-the-Rock Road, hike east on a well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip with 450 feet total gain to Zebra Slot.
    20.10US1-0221.jpg
  • A hiker uses friction to stem over a pool of green water in Zebra Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. From Hole-in-the-Rock Road, hike east on a well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip with 450 feet total gain to Zebra Slot.
    20.10US1-0173.jpg
  • Two natural bridges decorate the entrance of Peekaboo Gulch in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    20.10US1-0031-38-Pano.jpg
  • 60-foot-wide Mexican Hat Rock looks like a Mexican Sombrero (wide-brimmed hat) made of stone. Mexican Hat, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-1151.jpg
  • The Raplee Anticline (Lime Ridge), along San Juan River, Mexican Hat, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-1124.jpg
  • Goosenecks State Park overlooks a deep meander of the San Juan River near Mexican Hat, Utah, USA. Millions of years ago, the Monument Upwarp forced the river to carve meanders over 1,000 feet deep (300 m) as the surrounding landscape slowly rose in elevation. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    1804SW-1101-1107-pano-Edit.jpg
  • Hoodoo arches in Recapture Pocket, on BLM land, near Bluff, Utah, USA. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is part of the United States Department of the Interior.
    1804SW-1033.jpg
  • Rippled brown mud in stream bed near Druid Arch, in Needles District of Canyonlands NP, Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-1001.jpg
  • Druid Arch, in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-0981.jpg
  • Hike from Chesler Park to Druid Arch, in Needles District of Canyonlands NP, Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-0871.jpg
  • Cracked alcove. Hike from Chesler Park to Druid Arch, in Needles District of Canyonlands NP, Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-0850.jpg
  • Hike from Elephant Hill to Chesler Park, in Needles District of Canyonlands NP, Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1804SW-0785.jpg
  • Delicate Arch and La Sal Mountains, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation.
    1804SW-0689.jpg
  • Upheaval Dome. Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Moab, USA. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    1804SW-0556-561-Pano.jpg
  • Turret Arch and La Sal Mountains. The Windows Section of Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation.
    1804SW-0292.jpg
  • Sandstone rock pattern. Courthouse Towers, Park Avenue Trail, in Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA.
    1804SW2-042.jpg
  • A cottonwood tree frames Hunter Arch. Hunter Canyon hiking trail, on BLM land, Moab Kane Creek Blvd, Moab, Utah, USA. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is part of the United States Department of the Interior.
    1804SW-0117.jpg
  • Hunter Canyon hiking trail, on BLM land, Moab Kane Creek Blvd, Moab, Utah, USA. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is part of the United States Department of the Interior.
    1804SW-0003.jpg
  • Displayed at Quarry Exhibit Hall in Dinosaur National Monument, this Allosaurus fragilis skeleton is cast from bones of the Jurassic Period (149 million years ago) dug from the Cleveland-Lloyed Quarry in east-central Utah, USA. Allosaurus was the most common predatory animal in the Morrison Formation's ancient ecosystem. The theropod (meaning "beast-footed") dinosaurs are a diverse group of bipedal saurischian ("lizard-hipped") dinosaurs. Therapods include the largest carnivores ever to have walked the earth. Not all dinosaurs are extinct, since birds are actually the descendants of small nonflying theropods.
    1503SW-2229_Allosaurus-cast-skeleton.jpg
  • Petroglyphs of flute players in Shay Canyon on public BLM land, near Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1503SW-1341_Shay-Canyon-petroglyphs.jpg
  • Petroglyphs in Shay Canyon on public BLM land, near Monticello, Utah, USA.
    1503SW-1311_Shay-Canyon-petroglyphs.jpg
  • A hiker passes through the arch on Peek-a-Boo Trail, in Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA. The Permian rocks of the Needles District formed where red alluvial fans from the east interwove with white dunes from the west, making sandstone spires striped red and white.
    1503SW-1121_Peek-a-Boo-Trail_Canyonl...jpg
  • Sandstone pillars rise above a hiker on Peek-a-Boo Trail, in Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA. The Permian rocks of the Needles District formed where red alluvial fans from the east interwove with white dunes from the west, making spires striped red and white. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    1503SW-1113-14pan_Peek-a-Boo-Trail_C...jpg
  • Desert varnish streaks Sipapu Bridge, in Natural Bridges National Monument, near Blanding, San Juan County, Utah, USA. White Canyon Creek has cut Sipapu Natural Bridge with a span of 225 feet (with a height of 144 feet, width of 41 feet, and thickness of 53 feet, says www.naturalarches.org) through a meander of white Permian sandstone of the Cedar Mesa Formation. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs protected from wind. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. This panorama was stitched from 11 overlapping photos.
    1503SW-0983-93pan_Sipapu-Natural-Bri...jpg
  • Desert varnish streaks Sipapu Bridge, in Natural Bridges National Monument, near Blanding, San Juan County, Utah, USA. White Canyon Creek has cut Sipapu Natural Bridge with a span of 225 feet (with a height of 144 feet, width of 41 feet, and thickness of 53 feet, says www.naturalarches.org) through a meander of white Permian sandstone of the Cedar Mesa Formation. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs protected from wind. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest.
    1503SW-0962_Sipapu-Natural-Bridge.jpg
  • Desert varnish streaks Sipapu Bridge, in Natural Bridges National Monument, near Blanding, San Juan County, Utah, USA. White Canyon Creek has cut Sipapu Natural Bridge with a span of 225 feet (with a height of 144 feet, width of 41 feet, and thickness of 53 feet, says www.naturalarches.org) through a meander of white Permian sandstone of the Cedar Mesa Formation. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs protected from wind. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. This panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.
    1503SW-0954-57pan_Sipapu-Natural-Bri...jpg
  • Kachina Bridge in Natural Bridges National Monument, near Blanding, Utah, USA. White Canyon Creek has cut Kachina Bridge with a span of 192 feet through white Permian sandstone of the Cedar Mesa Formation. Kachina is named for rock art on the bridge that resembles symbols commonly used on kachina dolls. This panorama was stitched from 8 overlapping photos.
    1503SW-0895-902pan_Kachina-Natural-B...jpg
  • An orange sunset illuminates clouds in the blue sky at dusk over our 1999 Volkswagon Eurovan Camper. We camped on BLM land on Blue Notch Canyon Road, a mile west of Highway 95 in White Canyon, near Hite Marina, Utah, USA.
    1503SW-0852_sunset_Volkswagon-Eurova...jpg
  • A hiker explores the elegant slot of Leprechaun Canyon in North Wash, between Hanksville & Hite, Utah, USA. Leprechaun Canyon's sandstone dates from the Triassic-Jurassic Period. Directions: from Hanksville, drive 26 miles south on Highway 95 to the junction with Utah 276 and stay left on H95 for another 2.0 miles across a wash, then park on the left (east) along a short road within the first 100 feet before its sandtrap end. Walk up the wash of Leprechaun Canyon 2 miles round trip to a gorgeous subway which narrows to a tight squeeze. Nearby, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is just 8 miles south on H95.
    1503SW-0834_Leprechaun-Canyon.jpg
  • Explore the elegant subway and slot of Leprechaun Canyon in North Wash, between Hanksville & Hite, Utah, USA. Desert varnish coats the Triassic-Jurassic sandstone. Directions: from Hanksville, drive 26 miles south on Highway 95 to the junction with Utah 276 and stay left on H95 for another 2.0 miles across a wash, then park on the left (east) along a short road within the first 100 feet before its sandtrap end. Walk up the wash of Leprechaun Canyon 2 miles round trip to a subway which narrows to a tight squeeze called Belfast Boulevard.  Nearby, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is just 8 miles south on H95. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs protected from wind. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest.
    1503SW-0811_Leprechaun-Canyon.jpg
  • Explore the elegant subway and slot of Leprechaun Canyon in North Wash, between Hanksville & Hite, Utah, USA. Desert varnish coats the Triassic-Jurassic sandstone. Directions: from Hanksville, drive 26 miles south on Highway 95 to the junction with Utah 276 and stay left on H95 for another 2.0 miles across a wash, then park on the left (east) along a short road within the first 100 feet before its sandtrap end. Walk up the wash of Leprechaun Canyon 2 miles round trip to a subway which narrows to a tight squeeze called Belfast Boulevard.  Nearby, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is just 8 miles south on H95. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs protected from wind. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    1503SW-0807-808pan_Leprechaun-Canyon.jpg
  • Explore the elegant subway and slot of Leprechaun Canyon in North Wash, between Hanksville & Hite, Utah, USA. Leprechaun Canyon's sandstone dates from the Triassic-Jurassic Period. Directions: from Hanksville, drive 26 miles south on Highway 95 to the junction with Utah 276 and stay left on H95 for another 2.0 miles across a wash, then park on the left (east) along a short road within the first 100 feet before its sandtrap end. Walk up the wash of Leprechaun Canyon 2 miles round trip to a gorgeous subway which narrows to a tight squeeze called Belfast Boulevard. Nearby, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is just 8 miles south on H95.
    1503SW-0791_Leprechaun-Canyon.jpg
  • Explore the beautiful slot of Ding Canyon on BLM land in the San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0780_Ding-Canyon.jpg
  • Explore the beautiful slot of Ding Canyon on BLM land in the San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0777_Ding-Canyon.jpg
  • A white and green sandstone rock pattern decorates Ding Canyon on BLM land in the San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0762_green-shite-rock-pattern.jpg
  • Yellow-orange Jurassic sandstone pattern in Wild Horse Canyon, on federal BLM land in the San Rafael Swell (160-175 million years old), Utah, USA. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0749_Jurassic-sandstone-patte...jpg
  • Find fascinating Jurassic sandstone rock patterns in Wild Horse Canyon on federal BLM land in the San Rafael Swell (160-175 million years old), Utah, USA. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0748_Jurassic-sandstone-patte...jpg
  • Find fascinating Jurassic sandstone rock patterns in Wild Horse Canyon on federal BLM land in the San Rafael Swell (160-175 million years old), Utah, USA. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0739_Jurassic-sandstone-patte...jpg
  • Find fascinating Jurassic sandstone rock patterns in Wild Horse  Canyon on federal BLM land in the San Rafael Swell (160-175 million years old), Utah, USA. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0738_Jurassic-sandstone-patte...jpg
  • A hiker explores the beautiful slot of Crack Canyon, on federal BLM land in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0730_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • Explore the cool honeycombed-sandstone slot of Crack Canyon in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0727_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • Explore the cool honeycombed-sandstone slot of Crack Canyon in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0717_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • Intricate honeycombs of weathered sandstone decorate Crack Canyon, on federal BLM land in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. Honeycomb weathering: rainwater soaks into sandstone, dissolves its cement, and redeposits it near the surface as the water evaporates, forming a resistant outer layer, pockmarked with holes into the soft inner layers enlarged by wind and moisture. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW3-107_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • Intricate honeycombs of weathered sandstone decorate Crack Canyon, on federal BLM land in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. Honeycomb weathering: rainwater soaks into sandstone, dissolves its cement, and redeposits it near the surface as the water evaporates, forming a resistant outer layer, pockmarked with holes into the soft inner layers enlarged by wind and moisture. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW3-091_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • A pattern of red and yellow sandstone swirls in Crack Canyon, on federal BLM land in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW3-090_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • A limb of driftwood lodges high in the slot of Crack Canyon, on federal BLM land in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0675_slot-driftwood_Crack-Can...jpg
  • A hiker explores beautiful Crack Canyon on public federal BLM land in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of sandstone, shale, and limestone (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. Honeycomb weathering: rainwater soaks into sandstone, dissolves its cement, and redeposits it near the surface as the water evaporates, forming a resistant outer layer, pockmarked with holes into the soft inner layers enlarged by wind and moisture. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1503SW-0638_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • A white salt crust forms an abstract pattern over orange-red sandstone in Crack Canyon, in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA.
    1503SW3-055_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • Sandstone erodes into honeycomb depressions in Crack Canyon, on federal BLM land in San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah, USA. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands. Honeycomb weathering: rainwater soaks into sandstone, dissolves its cement, and redeposits it near the surface as the water evaporates, forming a resistant outer layer, pockmarked with holes into the soft inner layers enlarged by wind and moisture.
    1503SW-0619_Crack-Canyon_pattern.jpg
  • Sunrise in the Campground at Goblin Valley State Park, San Rafael Swell, Utah, USA. Admire fanciful hoodoos, mushroom shapes, and rock pinnacles in Goblin Valley State Park, in Emery County between the towns of Green River and Hanksville, in central Utah. The Goblin rocks eroded from Entrada Sandstone, which is comprised of alternating layers of sandstone (cross-bedded by former tides), siltstone, and shale debris which were eroded from former highlands and redeposited in beds on a former tidal flat.
    1503SW-0605_Goblin-Valley.jpg
  • A boy in yellow shirt runs through a panorama of hoodoos in Goblin Valley State Park, in central Utah, USA. Admire fanciful hoodoos, mushroom shapes, and rock pinnacles in fascinating Goblin Valley State Park, in Emery County between the towns of Green River and Hanksville. The Goblin rocks eroded from Entrada Sandstone, which is comprised of alternating layers of sandstone (cross-bedded by former tides), siltstone, and shale debris which were eroded from former highlands and redeposited in beds on a former tidal flat. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of rock (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1503SW-0580-82pan_Goblin-Valley.jpg
  • Admire fanciful hoodoos, mushroom shapes, and rock pinnacles in Goblin Valley State Park, in Emery County between the towns of Green River and Hanksville, in central Utah, USA. The Goblin rocks eroded from Entrada Sandstone, which is comprised of alternating layers of sandstone (cross-bedded by former tides), siltstone, and shale debris which were eroded from former highlands and redeposited in beds on a former tidal flat. As part of the Colorado Plateau, the San Rafael Swell is a giant dome-shaped anticline of rock (160-175 million years old) that was pushed up during the Paleocene Laramide Orogeny 60-40 million years ago. Since then, infrequent but powerful flash floods have eroded the sedimentary rocks into valleys, canyons, gorges, mesas, and buttes.
    1503SW-0553_Goblin-Valley.jpg
  • Navajo Sandstone (fossilized cross-bedded sand dune of the Jurassic period) exfoliates into a pattern along Rim Overlook Trail in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Iron oxides (hematite and goethite) bled through the Navajo sandstone layers to paint the rock yellow, orange, and brown. Capitol Reef National Park is centered upon the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, the steep eastern limb of the Circle Cliffs Uplift, raised in Late Cretaceous time, during the Laramide Orogeny. Pressure caused by the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate along the west coast caused several huge folds like this in southeast Utah, USA.
    1503SW-0379_Navajo-sandstone-pattern.jpg
  • Navajo Sandstone (fossilized cross-bedded sand dune of the Jurassic period) exfoliates into a pattern along Rim Overlook Trail in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Iron oxides (hematite and goethite) bled through the Navajo sandstone layers to paint the rock yellow, orange, and brown. Capitol Reef National Park is centered upon the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, the steep eastern limb of the Circle Cliffs Uplift, raised in Late Cretaceous time, during the Laramide Orogeny. Pressure caused by the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate along the west coast caused several huge folds like this in southeast Utah, USA.
    1503SW-0375_Navajo-sandstone-pattern.jpg
  • Navajo Sandstone (fossilized cross-bedded sand dune of the Jurassic period) exfoliates into a pattern along Rim Overlook Trail in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Iron oxides (hematite and goethite) bled through the Navajo sandstone layers to paint the rock yellow, orange, and brown. Capitol Reef National Park is centered upon the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, the steep eastern limb of the Circle Cliffs Uplift, raised in Late Cretaceous time, during the Laramide Orogeny. Pressure caused by the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate along the west coast caused several huge folds like this in southeast Utah, USA.
    1503SW-0364_Navajo-sandstone-pattern.jpg
  • Navajo Sandstone (fossilized cross-bedded sand dune of the Jurassic period) exfoliates into a pattern along Rim Overlook Trail in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Iron oxides (hematite and goethite) bled through the Navajo sandstone layers to paint the rock yellow, orange, and brown. Capitol Reef National Park is centered upon the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, the steep eastern limb of the Circle Cliffs Uplift, raised in Late Cretaceous time, during the Laramide Orogeny. Pressure caused by the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate along the west coast caused several huge folds like this in southeast Utah, USA.
    1503SW-0290_Navajo-sandstone-pattern.jpg
  • Navajo Sandstone (fossilized cross-bedded sand dune of the Jurassic period) exfoliates into a pattern along Rim Overlook Trail in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Iron oxides (hematite and goethite) bled through the Navajo sandstone layers to paint the rock yellow, orange, and brown. Capitol Reef National Park is centered upon the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, the steep eastern limb of the Circle Cliffs Uplift, raised in Late Cretaceous time, during the Laramide Orogeny. Pressure caused by the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate along the west coast caused several huge folds like this in southeast Utah, USA.
    1503SW-0288_Navajo-sandstone-pattern.jpg
  • Navajo Sandstone (fossilized cross-bedded sand dune of the Jurassic period) exfoliates into a pattern along Rim Overlook Trail in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Iron oxides (hematite and goethite) bled through the Navajo sandstone layers to paint the rock yellow, orange, and brown. Capitol Reef National Park is centered upon the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold, the steep eastern limb of the Circle Cliffs Uplift, raised in Late Cretaceous time, during the Laramide Orogeny. Pressure caused by the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate along the west coast caused several huge folds like this in southeast Utah, USA.
    1503SW-0282_Navajo-sandstone-pattern.jpg
  • The majestic Hickman Natural Bridge has a span of 133 feet. The hike is 1.8 miles round trip with 400 feet gain in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    1503SW-0264-69pan_Hickman-Natural-Br...jpg
  • Sunset in Capitol Gorge, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Capitol Gorge was the original route for travelers through Waterpocket Fold before State Route 24 cut along Fremont River.
    1503SW-0204_Capitol-Gorge_Utah.jpg
  • Golden Throne is a sandstone monolith from the Jurassic geologic period. Start this hike from Capitol Gorge Trailhead, in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    1503SW3-016-17pan_Golden-Throne.jpg
  • In early spring, leafless trees and desert varnish frame a royal arch in canyon walls along Lower Calf Creek Falls trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain). Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground.
    1303UT-2275-p1.jpg
  • Desert varnish streaks canyon walls along Lower Calf Creek Falls trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain). Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground.
    1303UT-2261.jpg
  • Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain), in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. The beautiful cascade drops 126 feet (38 meters) from sandstone cliffs stained with fascinating patterns of desert varnish. Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground. More about desert varnish: Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. The panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1303UT-2233-2235pan_Lower-Calf-Creek...jpg
  • Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain), in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. The beautiful cascade drops 126 feet (38 meters) from sandstone cliffs stained with fascinating patterns of desert varnish. Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground. More about desert varnish: Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest. The panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1303UT-2215-2217pan_Calf-Creek-Falls.jpg
  • Hike Lower Calf Creek Falls trail 6 miles round trip (600 feet gain), in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. The beautiful cascade drops 126 feet (38 meters) from sandstone cliffs stained with fascinating patterns of desert varnish. Directions: From the town of Escalante, drive 15 miles east on Scenic Byway 12 to Calf Creek Recreation Area day-use parking and campground. More about desert varnish: Manganese-rich desert varnish requires thousands of years to coat a rock face that is protected from precipitation and wind erosion. The varnish likely originates from airborne dust and external surface runoff, including: clay minerals, oxides and hydroxides of manganese (Mn) and/or iron (Fe), sand grains, trace elements, and usually organic matter. Streaks of black varnish often occur where water cascades over cliffs, but wind doesn't sculpt its shape. Varnish color varies from shades of brown to black. Manganese-poor, iron-rich varnishes are red to orange, and intermediate concentrations are shaded brown. Manganese-oxidizing microbes may explain the unusually high concentration of manganese in black desert varnish, which can be smooth and shiny where densest.
    1303UT-2186.jpg
  • Wavy red, white, and black sandstone patterns decorate Tunnel Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Directions to unmarked trailhead for Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons: From Escalante town, drive 6 miles east on Highway 12, turn right on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, drive 7.8 miles to the third cattle guard and park on west side of road. Hike east on well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip to Zebra Slot, plus an optional 3 miles round trip to Tunnel Slot (750 feet gain over 8 miles), using map from GSENM Visitor Center or canyoneeringusa.com.
    1303UT-2077.jpg
  • Tunnel Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Directions to unmarked trailhead for Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons: From Escalante town, drive 6 miles east on Highway 12, turn right on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, drive 7.8 miles to the third cattle guard and park on west side of road. Hike east on well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip to Zebra Slot, plus an optional 3 miles round trip to Tunnel Slot (750 feet gain over 8 miles), using map from GSENM Visitor Center or canyoneeringusa.com. The panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    1303UT-2065-2070pan_Tunnel-Slot_Gran...jpg
  • Zebra Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Directions to unmarked trailhead for Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons: From Escalante town, drive 6 miles east on Highway 12, turn right on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, drive 7.8 miles to the third cattle guard and park on west side of road. Hike east on well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip to Zebra Slot, plus an optional 3 miles round trip to Tunnel Slot (750 feet gain over 8 miles), using map from GSENM Visitor Center or canyoneeringusa.com. The image was stitched from 2 overlapping photos to increase depth of focus.
    1303UT-2032-2033stit_Zebra-Slot_Gran...jpg
  • A hiker chimneys up the narrow walls of Zebra Slot Canyon, in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA. Directions to unmarked trailhead for Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons: From Escalante town, drive 6 miles east on Highway 12, turn right on Hole-in-the-Rock Road, drive 7.8 miles to the third cattle guard and park on west side of road. Hike east on well-trodden but unmarked path, 5 miles round trip to Zebra Slot, plus an optional 3 miles round trip to Tunnel Slot (750 feet gain over 8 miles), using map from GSENM Visitor Center or canyoneeringusa.com.
    1303UT-2019_Zebra-Slot_Grand-Stairca...jpg
  • Walk the trail behind Lower Emerald Pool waterfall in Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet. The panorama was stitched from 5 overlapping photos.
    1303UT-1236-1240pan_Lower-Emerald-Fa...jpg
  • Ice on branches, Lower Emerald Pool waterfall, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    1303UT-1186.jpg
  • Kolob Terrace Road entrance to Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    1303UT-1121.jpg
  • Deer cross Kolob Terrace Road at entrance to Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    1303UT-1118.jpg
  • Hikers walk a dog along a rock face near Northgate Peaks trail, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    1303UT-1053.jpg
  • Hike Negro Bill Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge, on BLM federal land near Moab, Utah, USA. The Navajo Sandstone of Morning Glory Natural Bridge spans 243 feet, making it the sixth largest rock span in the United States. This panorama was stitched from 7 overlapping photos.
    1403UT-402-08pan_Morning-Glory-Bridg...jpg
  • Corona Arch Trail is spectacular, on BLM federal land near Moab, Utah, USA. Hike 3 miles round trip up Bootlegger Canyon to the half-freestanding Corona Arch, also called Little Rainbow Bridge, which has an impressive opening of 140 feet wide by 105 feet high. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping photos.
    1403UT-286-88pan_Corona-Arch.jpg
  • The sun backlights Corona Arch, on BLM federal land near Moab, Utah, USA. Hike 3 miles round trip up Bootlegger Canyon to the half-freestanding Corona Arch, also called Little Rainbow Bridge, which has an impressive opening of 140 feet wide by 105 feet high. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1403UT-256_Corona-Arch.jpg
  • Bowtie Arch, along Corona Arch Trail, on BLM federal land near Moab, Utah, USA. Hike 3 miles round trip up Bootlegger Canyon to Bowtie Arch and adjacent Corona Arch. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1403UT-253.jpg
  • Corona Arch Trail, on BLM federal land near Moab, Utah, USA. Hike 3 miles round trip up Bootlegger Canyon to the half-freestanding Corona Arch, also called Little Rainbow Bridge, which has an impressive opening of 140 feet wide by 105 feet high. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1403UT-248_Corona-Arch.jpg
  • Partition Arch, Devils Garden Trail, Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation.
    1403UT-194_Partition-Arch_Utah.jpg
  • Partition Arch, Devils Garden Trail, Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation.
    1403UT-193_Partition-Arch_Utah.jpg
  • Partition Arch hikers, Devils Garden Trail, Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation. This panorama was stitched from 2 overlapping photos.
    1403UT-169-170pan_Partition-Arch_Uta...jpg
  • Landscape Arch, on Devils Garden Trail, Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation. This panorama was stitched from 6 overlapping photos.
    1403UT-162-167pan_Landscape-Arch_Uta...jpg
  • Broken Arch is a walk of 1.3 miles round trip from Devils Garden Campground, in Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation. This panorama was stitched from 7 overlapping photos.
    1403UT-112-118pan_Broken-Arch_Utah.jpg
  • Twisted tree silhouette and red rock shadows, in Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, USA. A thick underground salt bed underlies the creation of the park's many arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. Some 300 million years ago, a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated to create the salt bed up to thousands of feet thick. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with debris eroded from the Uncompahgre Uplift to the northeast. During the Early Jurassic (about 210 million years ago) desert conditions deposited the vast Navajo Sandstone. On top of that, about 140 million years ago, the Entrada Sandstone was deposited from stream and windblown sediments. Later, over 5000 feet (1500 m) of younger sediments were deposited and then mostly worn away, leaving the park's arches eroded mostly within the Entrada formation.
    1403UT-102_Arches-NP_Utah.jpg
  • The impressive Fisher Towers are eroded from Cutler sandstone capped with Moenkopi sandstone, on BLM federal land near Moab, Utah, USA. Hike the Fisher Towers Trail 4.5 miles round trip with 800 feet gain. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands.
    1403UT-030_Fisher-Towers_Utah.jpg
  • The impressive Fisher Towers are eroded from Cutler sandstone capped with Moenkopi sandstone, on BLM federal land near Moab, Utah, USA. Hike the Fisher Towers Trail 4.5 miles round trip with 800 feet gain. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior that administers American public lands. The panorama was stitched from 4 overlapping photos.
    1403UT-015-18pan_Fisher-Towers_Utah.jpg
  • Heritage House is an 1895 Queen Anne-style Victorian home in Kanab, Utah, USA. Heritage House, built in 1894 for Henry Bowman by John Rider, has been painstakingly restored to its original splendor and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Kanab Heritage House reflects the prosperity of two of Kanab's early Mormon residents. Henry Bowman built it but lived there only two years before going on a mission. He sold the property to Thomas Chamberlain, who led the Mormons' United Order and cared for his six wives and 55 children. Directions: Go to the corner of East 100 South and South Main Street in Kanab; phone 435-644-3966; free tour in summer. Fact: Kanab is home of the USA's first all-woman town council, elected in 1911, with Mary Woolley Chamberlain as mayor.
    1303UT-4016.jpg
  • A seasonal waterfall plunges from Weeping Rock in Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah, USA. The North Fork of the Virgin River carved spectacular Zion Canyon through reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone up to half a mile (800 m) deep and 15 miles (24 km) long. Uplift associated with the creation of the Colorado Plateaus lifted the region 10,000 feet (3000 m) starting 13 million years ago. Zion and Kolob canyon geology includes 9 formations covering 150 million years of mostly Mesozoic-aged sedimentation, from warm, shallow seas, streams, lakes, vast deserts, and dry near-shore environments. Mormons discovered the canyon in 1858 and settled in the early 1860s. U.S. President Taft declared it Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. In 1918, the name changed to Zion (an ancient Hebrew name for Jerusalem), which became a National Park in 1919. The Kolob section (a 1937 National Monument) was added to Zion National Park in 1956. Unusually diverse plants and animals congregate here where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert meet.
    11UT1-2277_Zion-NP-Utah.jpg
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