National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior The official planner of Bryce Canyon The Hoodoo National Park Park Planner, Hiking & Shuttle Guide Summer 2007

Emergencies Call 911 or 435-676-2411, or contact a park ranger

Visitor Center Hours Summer 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Fall, Spring 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Contact Information Park Headquarters 435-834-5322 Fax 435-834-4102

Web Site www.nps.gov/brca

E-mail [email protected]

Mailing Address PO Box 640201 Bryce, Utah 84764-0201

What’s Inside Accessibility...... 2 Backpacking...... 3 Geology...... 5 Hiking Map...... 7 Invasive Plants ...... 9 Information & Services ...... 2 Lightning...... 8 Natural History Assoc...... 11 Nearby Attractions...... 12 Night Skies...... 10 Park Map...... 6 Park Profile...... 4 Caution Busy Information Prescribed Fire...... 8 Desk Ahead Ranger Programs...... 3 Reduce Safety...... 2 Wait Time Shuttle...... 6 Bring this Trail Guide...... 7 newspaper Volunteers, Partners & Donors...11 Weather...... 9 Wildlife Issues...... 4, 9 ! Ron Warner Death at Information and Services Bryce Canyon How many people die at Bryce? Throughout the park, visitors will find bins for recyclable items. We are currently Fortunately, Bryce averages less than 1 accepting aluminum cans and plastic #1-7. fatality per year. In order of decreasing Bins can be found at the entrance to Sunset abundance, fatalities are caused by: & North Campgrounds, Sunset Point, Bryce •Heart attacks Canyon Lodge, and the General Store. Help do your part to conserve resources and keep •Falling off cliffs the planet clean! •Lightning •Vehicle accidents Unfortunately, hundreds of serious injuries have also needlessly occurred, some out of ignorance, but too many from ignoring park safety warnings.

Top 10 Causes of Bryce Injuries Visitor Center Entrance Fees Lodging #10 Unsafe Driving In summer, open daily 8:00 am - S Private Vehicle: $25 per vehicle, good Bryce Canyon Lodge: Open April 1 - •Speeding (limits are 25, 35 and 45 mph). 8:00 pm. Information, museum, for 7 days in Bryce Canyon National Park. October 31, has cabins, motel rooms and •Failure to wear seat belts. publications, an award-winning film, Individual: $12 per person (pedestrian, suites, a restaurant, and gift shop. For •Passing on a double yellow line. backcountry permits, first aid, and lost-and- bicycle, motorcycle, and organized group), lodging reservations, write to: Xanterra •Auto vs animal. Watch for Wildlife! found services are available here. good for 7 days in Bryce Canyon National Parks and Resorts, Inc., 4001 East Iliff Ave., •Rear-ending. Stop in pullouts, never in road. Park. Suite 600, Aurora, CO 80014, call 888 297- •Not reducing speed on wet or icy roads. Emergencies 2757; or visit www.brycecanyonlodge.com. 24-hour emergency response, call 911 or 435 America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80, #9 Climbing / Sliding down cliffs 676-2411. Garfield Hospital, 435 676-8811, good for one year from date of purchase in Other Lodging: Available near the park all federal fee areas. The rock at Bryce forms crumbly cliffs and and Clinic, 435 676-8842 are in Panguitch. entrance and in Tropic, Cannonville, Bryce steep gravely slopes. Hand and toe holds Bryce Canyon Annual Pass: $30, good Junction, and Panguitch. support nothing heavier than chipmunks. Accessibilty for one year from date of purchase at Bryce Climbing the rocks and sliding on the Restrooms: the Visitor Center, Canyon National Park. Food Services slopes triggers lethal avalanches. Bryce Canyon Lodge: Open April 1 - Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and Commercial Tours: Ask at the entrance General Store are fully accessible. Sunset October 31. Dining room serves breakfast, #8 Feeding Animals station for rates. lunch, and dinner. Dinner reservations are Fed animals become aggressive. Even small Campground has two sites reserved for people with mobility impairments. The America the Beautiful Senior Pass: $10 required; call 435 834-5361. The General animals can inflict bites requiring stitches lifetime pass for U.S. residents 62 or older. and worse yet transmit disease. Watch ½-mile section of Rim Trail between Sunset Store, open April to October, has groceries, wildlife from a distance and discourage and Sunrise points is paved and level. America the Beautiful Access Pass: Free quick meals, and camper supplies. Inquire at the Visitor Center for information lifetime pass for permanently disabled U.S. animals that approach you. Other Food Services: Restaurants are on accessible ranger-led programs, and residents. available near the park entrance and in #7 Ignoring Extreme Weather to obtain an Access Guide and temporary Tropic, Bryce Junction, and Panguitch. At Bryce it is possible for the difference handicapped parking permits. Camping between the daily high and low to be as North Campground: Open all year, Showers & Laundry much as 50° F / 10° C! Lightning is a year- Restrooms 107 campsites. Available first-come, first- round danger -- especially during summer Available year-round at the Visitor served October 1 - May 14. Campsites may be Coin-operated shower and laundry monsoons! Seek the shelter of a building Center, North Campground and Sunset, reserved May 15 - Sept 30 by calling 877 444- facilities are available at the General Store, 6777 or www.recreation.gov. Reservations or your vehicle whenever the “flash-bang Farview, and Rainbow Points. Restrooms open April - October, and outside the park at can be made up to 240 days in advance. interval” (time between lightning and are also available April - October at Bryce some nearby establishments. thunder) is less than 30 seconds. Canyon Lodge, General Store and Sunset Sunset Campground: Open late spring to Bicycles Campground. early fall, 101 campsites. Available first- #6 Dehyrdration come, first-served. Bicycles are restricted to paved Drink 1 quart / liter every 1-2 hours. A well Phones roadways in the park. The nearby Dixie Fees: Camping is $10 a night per campsite hydrated body is better able to regulate Available year-round at the Visitor National Forest has a paved 5-mile bicycle body temperature and is more resistant (half price for America the Beautiful Center. Phones are also available April - path through Red Canyon, and many miles to heat exhaustion. Sunburns also lead Senior and Access pass holders). There October at Bryce Canyon Lodge, General of challenging and spectacular mountain bike to dehyrdation. Wear a hat, sunscreen, is an additional booking fee per advance trails. Grand Staircase-Escalante National and sunglasses to protect from the sun Store, and Sunset Campground. reservation for North Campground. overhead and reflected UV light. Monument has countless miles of dirt roads Pets Group Campsite: One site available by suitable for mountain biking. Contact Dixie Pets are not recommended in the park. reservation only. Group size is limited to #5 Leaving the Trail National Forest, P.O. Box 80, Panguitch, UT If you must bring your pet, be aware that it 7-30 people and 8 vehicles. Cost is $3 per Stay on designated trails and away from 84759, 435 676-9300, www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie; must be on a leash and under control at all person, with a minimum of $30 per night. cliff edges where footing can be tricky. Campsite may be reserved by calling 877 or Garfield County Travel Council, P.O. Box times. Pets are not permitted in buildings, Even on seemingly gentle slopes, it can be 444-6777 or www.recreation.gov 200, Panguitch, UT 84759, 800 444-6689; impossible to keep your footing. Bring the at park viewpoints, or on trails. They are www.brycecanyoncountry.com. maps on page 6 and 7 to avoid getting lost. allowed in campgrounds. Dump Station: No hookups are in the park, but a fee-for-use dump station is available Picnic Areas #4 Over-exertion Horseback Riding seasonally near North Campground. Picnic areas are available year-round Wranglers lead 2-hour and 4-hour horse Park elevations reach 9115 ft (2778 m) Other Campgrounds: For camping at Sunset Point, the General Store, Rainbow and mule rides April - October. For same-day subjecting you to 70% of the oxygen you reservations in nearby National Parks, call Point, and at the south end of North might be used to. Bryce’s trails start at the reservations, inquire at Bryce Canyon Lodge 877 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. Campground April - October. Water faucets top which means all returns will be uphill. or call 435 834-5500. For advance reservations, Public campgrounds are available on US are available seasonally at all of the above Turn back BEFORE you become tired. Know contact: Canyon Trail Rides, P.O. Box 128, Forest Service, BLM, and Utah State Park locations except Rainbow Point. Fire grates and respect your own physical limitations. Tropic, UT 84776; 435 679-8665. Information: lands nearby. Private campgrounds with are available only at the North Campground www.canyonrides.com. showers and hookups are available outside Picnic Area. #3, #2, & #1 Bad Choice of Footwear the park. Wear hiking boots with good ankle support Post Office / ATM / Internet and “lug” traction. Hiking without hiking Recycling Religious Services Ruby’s Inn has a post office open boots is like SCUBA diving without an air Recycling bins are located at the Available in the park during summer Mon-Sat (Bryce, UT 84764), an ATM, and tank. Sport-sandals & “trainers,” are NOT entrance to Sunset & North Campgrounds, months and outside the park year-round. safe hiking footwear. internet services. Personal mail addressed Sunset Point, the General Store and the For more information, inquire at the Visitor to park visitors will not be accepted at Bryce Lodge. Now accepting aluminum cans and Center or the Bryce Canyon Lodge. 2 The Hoodoo Canyon National Park. plastic #1-7. How to Make the Most of Your Time Auto Tour

Where is the best overlook? overlooks feature long-distance, panoramic There are 15 viewpoints along Bryce views across the Grand Staircase-Escalante Canyon’s 18-mile scenic drive (one-way National Monument. distance) and everybody determines his or her favorite for a multitude of reasons. Since all the viewpoints are on the left side Furthermore, for every 15 minutes you of the road as you drive south towards extend your visit, you can see another Rainbow Point, we recommend stopping at overlook. If you stop at all the viewpoints, it the viewpoints as you drive north on your could take as little as 3-4 hours. return trip. This way, each stop will be an easy and safe right turn. Our most famous views are found in Bryce Amphitheater, including Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce Points. The southern

Less Than 4 Hours More Than 4 Hours Backcountry Hiking

Visitor Center Visitor Center, Auto Tour, Short Walk and: Bryce Canyon has two trails designated for The 23-mile Under-the-Rim Trail can be Stop at the Visitor Center for information, Day Hike overnight hiking, the 9-mile Riggs Spring accessed by four different connecting trails museum exhibits, and a 22-minute award- Bryce is best viewed from its trails. Select Loop, and the 23-mile Under-the-Rim Trail. along the park road. The 9-mile Riggs Spring winning orientation film, shown daily 8:30 one of the combination loops from the Backcountry camping is by permit only on Loop Trail begins and ends at Yovimpa a.m. to closing, on the hour and half hour. “Moderate” or “Strenuous” groups in the a first-come, first-served basis. Permits may Point. While the park does not provide Auto Tour of the Overlooks hiking table on page 7. be purchased at the visitor center from 8:00 shuttle service, check the shuttle information a.m. until one hour before the visitor center on page 6 for shuttle options. Ride the shuttle or drive your own vehicle Ranger Program closes. to Bryce, Inspiration, Sunset and Sunrise Attend a free Ranger Program to learn more Stop at the Visitor Center and talk to a points first. If you still have more time, visit about the natural and cultural history of this There are two group sites available with a ranger before making any overnight trip into overlooks in the southern portion of the region. Check at the Visitor Center for the limit of 12 people per site. Campfires are not the backcountry. Maps and information park. current program schedule. allowed in the backcountry. Use a campstove on trails, campsites, water availability, and Short Walk to cook meals. Backcountry water sources backcountry regulations are available at the Horse Ride Hike a short segment of the Rim Trail or are unreliable and should be filtered. Each visitor center. Ask for a free Backcountry Take a horse ride into Bryce Canyon. select one of the other hikes from the “Easy hiker should carry a minimum of one Information brochure to aid in planning Wranglers lead 2-hour and half-day rides to Moderate” group in the hiking table on gallon of water for each day they are in the your trip. daily. Inquire at Bryce Canyon Lodge. page 7. backcountry.

Ranger-led Activities Astronomy Programs Join dark rangers, volunteers, and NASA Solar System Ambassador Patrick Wiggins, to learn about the heavens, We invite you to join rangers to learn more All programs are FREE. Check at the Visitor and view Bryce Canyon’s night skies through telescopes about Bryce Canyon National Park. Rangers Center, Bryce Canyon Lodge, General (weather permitting). Offered at least twice a week. Ask at discuss geology, plants, animals, and human Store, shuttle buses, or campground bulletin the visitor center or look on page 10 for program schedules. history on the various walks and talks offered boards for program topics, locations, and Duration: 2 hours each day. times.

Geology Talk Kids Programs / Family Programs

Hoodoos, ancient lakes and something called frost wedging? All of Bryce Canyon’s ranger programs are family friendly, Geologists have spent years studying the unique story of but these in particular are fun for kids and parents alike. Bryce Canyon. Spend a half hour with a ranger as we discuss Rangers present a wide range of programs appealing to a the current scientific explanation behind Bryce Canyon’s variety of interests. In person reservations required. Sign up unique geologic history. at the visitor center. Duration: 30 minutes Duration: 1 hour

Sunset Walk Geology Hike

Great views, fascinating plant and wildlife stories, a touch Join a park ranger for a hike down into the heart of the of geology, a smattering of cultural history – what more Bryce Amphitheater. Enjoy face to face encounters with could you want? Join a park ranger for an overview of hoodoos. Immerse yourself in a labyrinth of breathtaking Bryce Canyon as you stroll along the rim of the Bryce views and engaging stories about all that surrounds you. Amphitheater. Length: 1.5 to 2 miles Length: 1 mile, Duration: 1.5 hours Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours

Campfire / Auditorium Program Full Moon Hike

Bryce Canyon’s diversity comes to life during slide Hike among moonlit hoodoos. Group size is limited to 30 programs at the campground outdoor theaters, or the people and in-person reservations can only be made at the auditoriums at the visitor center or Bryce Canyon Lodge. visitor center the morning of the intended hike. (Offered two nights each month during the full moon. Check page 10 Auditoriums are wheelchair accessible, as is Sunset for schedule.) Campground campfire circle. North Campground campfire Length: 1.5 to 2 miles circle is not. Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours Duration: 1 hour The Hoodoo 3 Park Profile Help Stop Animal Cruelty

Established Feeding wild animals is a classic example of The act of feeding wildlife can also be Please spread the word. True animal lovers 1923 as Bryce Canyon National Monument how good intentions can unwittingly cause dangerous to people. Rodents are notorious don’t feed wild animals. Help protect your administered by the U.S. Forest Service; serious harm. In fact, feeding wildlife is for transmitting diseases. You put yourself national parks. 1924 as Utah National Park administered actually a form of animal cruelty! in jeopardy every time you get within by the National Park Service flea-jumping distance 6-9 feet (2-3 m) of a 1928 name changed to Bryce Canyon Fed animals frequent roads and parking squirrel or prairie dog. Worse yet, feeding National Park lots where they are much more likely to can cause normally docile animals, like deer, get run over by cars. Furthermore, wild to become aggressive. In one sad instance Significance animals have very strict natural diets and at Yosemite National Park, a young child Established to preserve and protect out- therefore very specific types of digestive was gored and killed by a “spike” deer buck standing scenic and scientific values. Best bacteria. Human food causes the wrong type when he refused to relinquish his sandwich known for the beautiful and bizarre rock of digestive bacteria to become dominant. to the animal. spires called hoodoos and the dark night Soon, fed animals can no longer digest their sky. natural foods and ultimately will starve to Unfortunately, once animals become death with full stomachs. What could be habituated to humans, their behavior often Hoodoo more cruel? leads to management actions that may result [hoo’doo] n. 1. A pinnacle or odd-shaped in their removal from the park. rock left standing by the forces of erosion. Fed animals will even teach their offspring 2. v. To cast a spell or cause bad luck. 3. to beg for food. These young animals may Giving in just once to the big, brown, Do not feed the animals. Voodoo. never learn the necessary skills to find pleading eyes of a cute animal can have Bitte nicht die Tiere füttern. natural foods and grow up totally dependent major consequences. Be responsible. Learn Ne donnez pas à manger aux animaux. Elevation / Size on humans for survival. to be a friend of wildlife by not trying to No dé comida a los animales. Lowest: 6,620 feet (2018 m) Yellow Creek. befriend animals with food. Highest: 9,115 feet (2778 m) at Rainbow Point. 55 square miles (35,835 acres) Threatened: Utah Prairie Dogs Name Ebenezer and Mary Bryce lived in the A year-round inhabitant of Bryce Canyon’s Utah Prairie Dog is an example of the complex area from 1875-1880 and aided in the high plateau meadows is the Utah Prairie web of life that exists in nature. Prairie dogs settlement of southwestern Utah and Dog, Cynomys parvidens. Actually, prairie dig deep burrows. This burrowing provides northern Arizona. dogs are not in the canine family; prairie not only refuge from predators and cold winter dogs are rodents. The Utah Prairie Dog’s temperatures, it also aerates the soil and allows Humans range, limited to the southwestern moisture to penetrate deep to plant roots Ancestral Puebloans, known as the quarter of Utah, is the most restricted which helps the vegetation in the meadows Anasazi, probably lived in the area from of any prairie dog in North America. flourish. Utah Prairie Dogs utilize the 2,000 years ago. They were followed by While the Utah Prairie Dog occurs burrows for protection from numerous the Fremont Culture through the 1200s, on numerous federal, state, and predators—which include badgers, then the Southern Paiutes until 100 years private lands, Bryce Canyon is the coyotes, foxes, bobcats, birds of prey ago. Mormon settlers arrived in the 1870s. only National Park Service unit in such as hawks and eagles, and the Park visitation in 1929 was 22,000. In which it’s found. occasional snake. Some predators, 2006 it reached 1.4 million. after dispatching a Utah Prairie Dog, The Utah Prairie Dog is may then utilize the burrow for Plant Life federally listed and protected shelter or even denning purposes. More than 400 native plant species live in as a threatened species, Utah Prairie Dogs prefer a landscape the park. Pinyon pine and juniper grow having been eradicated from relatively clear of trees, shrubs, and among the hoodoos at low elevations; much of its limited range tall grasses so they can keep an eye ponderosa pine forests dominate the in southwest Utah through out for danger. The natural process plateau top; and spruce, fir, and aspen poisoning, disease, habitat of fire enhances the viability of thrive at the highest elevations. Bristlecone loss, and natural cycles such as prairie dogs by eliminating the trees, pines, some more than 1,600 years old, drought. Utah Prairie Dogs were shrubs and tall grasses that may be live at elevations throughout the park. eradicated from Bryce Canyon encroaching into meadow habitat in the 1950’s. The park began a and therefore decreasing their ability Animal Life re-establishment program with the to detect predators. Fire also returns Utah prairie dogs, a threatened species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and nutrients to the soil, which in turn can be seen in open meadows. Mule Utah Division of Wildlife Resources enhances the edible crop of native grasses deer and Pronghorn (mistakingly known in 1974 with Utah Prairie Dog and forbs for the Utah Prairie Dog. as Antelope) are the most common large transplants to meadows within the park. mammals seen. Mountain lions and black This program continued through 1988. In short, Utah prairie dogs fill a crucial role bears live in the park, but are rarely seen. Throughout its range, there are fewer than in the ecosystem at Bryce Canyon National About 170 species of birds visit Bryce. 5,000 Utah Prairie Dogs remaining. Within Kevin Doxstater Park, as well as throughout the remainder of the park, Utah Prairie Dog numbers are their native range, by serving as prey, creating Bryce Canyon Lodge approximately 200 individuals in roughly 10 potential habitat for other animals, and Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood colonies that are monitored by the National maintaining healthy meadow ecosystems. Enjoy and built in 1925, it is a National Historic Park Service. These colonies also include viewing these social animals from a distance! Landmark. Of the four original lodges in adjacent US Forest colonies. the Union Pacific Loop Tour (Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Zion, and Grand Canyon- North Rim), the Bryce Canyon Lodge is the only one still standing.

4 The Hoodoo How Was Bryce Canyon Created? Erosion: Hoodoo’s Creator The striking scenery that makes Bryce Canyon has been carved from the eastern Small rivulets of water periodically run Canyon unique, has been created by the rim of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The down the sloping eastern escarpment of the and Executioner! forces of nature sculpting the brilliantly- Paunsaugunt Fault, which separates these plateau, forming gullies (A). As gullies are cut colored Claron Formation into a series of two plateaus, initiated the sculpting process deeper, narrow walls of rock known as fins beautiful and unusual erosional features. by breaking the surrounding rock with begin to emerge (B). Fins eventually develop vertical mini-fractures called joints. A series holes known as windows (C). Windows Bryce Canyon’s beginnings take us back of perpendicular joints were also created by grow larger until their roofs collapse, to the end of the earth’s tumultuous another earthquake zone called the Ruby’s creating hoodoos (D). As old hoodoos Cretaceous Period, 65 million years ago. Inn Over-thrust Fault. Earthquakes along collapse, new ones are being born. It was a time that brought cataclysmic these two faults left a checkerboard pattern changes worldwide, including the extinction of fractures, priming Bryce Canyon for the The conditions and processes at work here of the dinosaurs. forces of weathering and erosion. are not unique, but the distinctive way in which all of the elements operate together Deposition Weathering & Erosion results in the fantastic scenery that makes The creation of this unique landscape can be Although Bryce Canyon receives a meager Bryce Canyon worldly unique. traced back to a network of braided rivers 18 inches of precipitation annually, it’s and streams which transported a variety of amazing what this little bit of water can do sediments into a large freshwater lake that under the right circumstances! once covered southwestern Utah. Colorful A minerals such as iron (yellow and red) and Sub-freezing nighttime temperatures and manganese (pink and violet) mixed with relatively warm days result in over 200 dissolved calcium carbonate to create this freeze-thaw cycles annually. During the unusually colorful limestone. Over time, afternoon, snow and ice will melt, and the water disappeared, leaving behind the water seeps into the joints of the Claron Kristin Legg multicolored Claron Formation from which Formation. Once the sun sets, tempera- Bryce Canyon’s unusual scenery is carved. tures plummet and the water re-freezes, A large rockfall has closed the upper half of Wall expanding up to 9% as it becomes ice. Street on the Navajo Loop to through traffic. Uplift & Faulting Exerting tremendous force on the adjacent About 10-15 million years ago, a period rock, this process, known as frost wedging, Bryce Canyon is famous for its erosion. of uplift began in the large region of the shatters and pries the weak rock apart. Ironically, the same forces that create southwest known as the Colorado Plateau. Bryce Canyon’s spectacular scenery, also Such tremendous stress on the earth’s At the same time, rain water, which is destroy it. crust led to a period of faulting, stretching naturally acidic, is slowly dissolving away B and fracturing, thereby creating a series of the limestone, rounding off the edges of On May 23, 2006, a huge rockfall smaller plateaus. these fractured rocks, and washing away occurred in the Wall Street section the debris. The plateau continues to erode of the Navajo Loop Trail. While there The highest of these plateaus, the Table westward in a process called headward were people in the vicinity at the time, Cliff, is visible to the east of Bryce. Bryce erosion. thankfully, no one was injured. The rock debris, estimated at 400-500 tons, covers an area roughly 60 feet long, 15 feet deep and 15 feet wide. Some rocks are as large as cars! Paunsaugunt Fault System The current plan is to reopen the trail by constructing a trail over the rock debris. This will allow visitors to see the natural process of erosion as it happens at C Bryce. Trail crews will begin construction Table Cliff of this trail in Summer of 2007, hopefully, to be completed by early Fall.

While work is under way to open Paunsaugunt this trail, visitors are still able to Plateau complete a loop between Sunset and Sunrise points.

By first descending the Queens Garden Trail all the way to the Navajo Loop Table Cliff Junction, you can walk into the lower end of Wall Street to see the huge Douglas-fir trees and the rockfall. Then D you must double back to the junction Bryce Canyon and return up to Sunset Point on the National Park Thors Hammer/Two Bridges side of the Navajo Loop. This 3-mile, moderately- strenuous trail is our most popular canyon hike. Consult the map and trail guide on page 7 for more information.

Paria River The Hoodoo 5 Touring the Park Bryce Canyon Shuttle BryceBryce Canyon Canyon National National Park Park

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o the shuttle reduces traffic, conserves fuel, saves F t

s Sunrise Point Visitor Center a 7200 ft time, money, and the planet! Shuttle buses are fully E 2I95 m Visitor Center Bryce Canyon Lodge accessible. Pets are not allowed. Sunset Sunset Point North No trailers Inspiration Point Season of Operation: Late May - September south of Sunset R Bryce Point Campground im GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE Sunrise Point T 2 mi rail NATIONAL MONUMENT 3 km Hours of Operation: 3 mi 833I ft 2539 m 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time 5 km Paria low Cr Bryce Lodge View Yel eek Sunset Point Swamp Bus Interval: King Sunset Point 7855 ft Canyon Creek 2394 m 12 - 15 min Loop Swamp Under Sunset Canyon the Last Bus ENTERS Park: Rim Sunset 7998 ft Trail 5:40 pm 2438 m Inspiration Point Tropic Reservior Last Bus EXITS Park: Creek ep 6:20 pm he 3 mi DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST S 5 km * Park entrance fee required to ride the shuttle Paved Road (not plowed in winter) Shuttle Route & Stop PAUNSAUGUNT PLATEAUUnder Unpaved Road Bryce Point Whiteman the Unpaved Road Rim Scenic Overlook Scenic Overlook Bench Trail 3 mi 3 mi 5 km Distance Indicator 5 km Distance Indicator Whiteman Hiking Trail Hiking Trail Bench Connecting Horse Trail Horse Trail Ruby’s Ruby’s Inn Rainbow Point Tour Trail Piracy Ski Trail (not groomed) Horse & Hiking Trail Ruby’s Additional Fee Required Point North 88I9 ft Ski Trail (groomed) Nature Trail 2688 m North Ski Trailhead Recycling Bryce Lodge This lesser-visited section of Bryce Canyon Farview Point Nature Trail Auditorium or Bryce Lodge features spectacular cliffs and long-distance Outdoor Theater Sunset Grocery Store Showers & Laundry views across the Grand Staircase-Escalante Natural Willis CreeAuditoriumk or Sunset GRAND STAIRCASE - ESCALANTE National Monument. Bridge NATIONAL MONUMENT Campfire Circle Emergency Telephone Showers & Laundry Campground (car) 9 mi DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST I4 km Emergency Telephone Season of Operation: Late May - September Agua Campsite (backpack) Canyon DIXIE NATIONALAgua FOREST Campground (car) Swamp Canyon Canyon Connecting Tour Includes: Trail Campsite (backpack)

E 3½-hour narrated tour to Rainbow Point; stops at a Horse s Under t Mountain F the o 7563 ft seven viewpoints r Whiteman Bench k Rim 2305 m S e Trail v i e r Departure Times: R Ponderosa Bull orge i Valley G v Rainbow & e r Canyon Farview Point 10:00 am & 2:00 pm Yovimpa Points Black Bristlecone Birch Loop Trail Natural Bridge Backpackers Welcome! Canyon 9 I I5 ft 2778 m Agua Canyon Tickets & Reservations: Call 435-834-5290 Riggs Spring Ponderosa Cyn Loop North Trail 7480 ft Bryce Canyon Scenic Tours & Shuttle 2257 m Rainbow & Yovimpa Points For additional tours / taxi service in the Bryce 0 0.5 I Kilometer

6 The Hoodoo Canyon area call 435-834-5200 or 800-432-5383. 0 0.5 I Mile 4 mi 6 km

I2

To 89 I I mi I8 km Hiking the Park Bryce AmphitheaterAmphitheater Region Region Day-Hiking Trail Guide

Ruby’s Inn ) 6821 ft Where’s a Good Hike?

m 2079m k Bryce Canyon has 8 different day-hiking trails. Because many of these trails are

6 I2 . 0 i ( interconnected, our most popular hikes are combinations of two or more of these m .4 basic trails. If you can only do one hike, the Queen’s / Navajo Combination itch 0 Tropic D Loop might be the best choice. Take this page with you while hiking. Mossy Cave Trail Name / Round Elevation Description Starting Point Trip Change Ruby’s Campground Shuttle Boarding Area Easy to Moderate Hikes (gentle grades & minimal elevation change)

May ‘06 rockfall has MOSSY CAVE 0.8 mi 200 ft Streamside walk up to a North end of Bryce along 1.3 km 62 m mossy overhang and small CLOSED Wall Street Hwy 12 1 hour 200 ft waterfall. (Waterfall flows to through traffic. (not a loop) 62 m May-October.) 63 Trail crews will be working to reopen RIM TRAIL 1.0-11.0 mi 34-1734 ft Outstanding views of this trail in late 2007. Anywhere along rim (not 1.6-17.7 km 10-535 m hoodoos from above. Trail a loop) (you pick start 34-1734 ft is paved and fairly level 2 mi and end points) between Sunset and Sunrise 3 km 10-535 m Points. Kristin Legg BRISTLECONE LOOP 1.0 mi 150 ft Hike through spruce-fir Rainbow Point 1.6 km 45 m forests to cliffs with I mi Fairyland Point Sinking 1 hour 150 ft bristlecone pines and 2 km 7758 ft F A Ship 45 m expansive vistas. I R 2365m Y L 7405 ft Entrance A N D C A N 2257m QUEENS GARDEN 1.8 mi 320 ft The least difficult trail into Sign Y O N Sunrise Point 2.9 km 98 m the canyon. See Queen il ra B O T A (not a loop) 1-2 hours 320 ft Victoria at the end of a short T 4 m .0 i M 98 m spur trail. R E m S i Entrance A ( mpbell W 6 a ash Fee Station .4 C Moderate Hikes (steep grades with “down & back” elevation change) I mi km) Visitor Center 2 km N NAVAJO TRAIL 1.3 mi 550 ft The upper half of the km) O .0 Y i (4 Fairyland N Sunset Point 2.2 km 167 m Wall Street side of trail is 5 m A 2. Loop C (not a loop) CLOSED! Thors Hammer and L 1-2 hours 550 ft L E Two Bridges side of trail is B 167 m 7894 ft P North M open all the way to canyon 2406m A Campground ) C floor. km .4 Trailer Drop-off & (2 Tower i Bristlecone QUEENS/NAVAJO 2.9 mi 580 ft Combine the two trails Shuttle Parking m Bridge 5 I. Point COMBINATION LOOP 4.6 km 177 m described above. Hike 7787 ft Sunset or Sunrise Point 2-3 hours 580 ft the Rim Trail back to your 2373m 177 m starting point. 2 mi Horse Trail General Store 3 km (horse only) TOWER BRIDGE 3.0 mi 950 ft See bristlecone pines and the High Plateaus Sunrise Point Small segment of the 4.8 km 290 m China Wall. A shady 1/4-mile Institute larger Fairyland Loop 2-3 hours 950 ft spur trail leads to the bridge. km) Corral 0.9 mi ( I.4 yce (not a loop) ) Horse Trail Br Cre 290 m m ek k (horse only) 7200 ft 8 . Queens 2I95m HAT SHOP 4.0 mi 1336 ft Descend Under-the-Rim Trail Bryce Canyon Lodge 0 ) ( QUEEN Garden km i .9 i (2 Bryce Point 6.4 km 407 m to see a cluster of balanced-

m VICTORIA Trail 0 I.8 m 5 . .

8 To 0 (not a loop) 3-4 hours 1336 ft rock hoodoos. THORS m Tropic

Sunset Point 0 HAMMER i 407 m

. ( 5 mi

6 I

. m 3

i 8 km

(I. k 0 m (steep grades with MULTIPLE elevation changes)

0 WALL km Strenuous Hikes . ) ) BRYCE AMPHITHEATER Paved Road PAUNSAUGUNT PLATEAU 7 STREET Navajo (not plowed in winter) Shuttle Route & Stop m CLOSED Loop FAIRYLAND LOOP 8.0 mi 2309 ft See the China Wall, i 0 ( .7 ) m m Unpaved Road Sunset I. Fairyland Point or 12.9 km 704 m Tower Bridge and Unpaved Road 2 i (I.I k Campground k Scenic Overlook m north of Sunrise Point 4-5 hours 2309 ft tall hoodoos on this Scenic Overlook I.3 ) Inspiration m 3 mi 3 mi 704 m less-crowded trail. i ( 5 km Distance Indicator 5 km Distance Indicator 2 Point . Peekaboo I

Loop k Hiking Trail m

Hiking Trail Trailer Turn Around (horse & hiker) ) Horse Trail I PEEKABOO LOOP 5.5 mi 1555 ft Steep but spectacular hike Horse Trail No trailers south of .7 m I .I Bryce Point 8.8 km 473 m through the heart of Bryce Ski Trail (not groomed) Sunset Campground i m Horse & Hiking Trail ( i 2 ( I ) 3-4 hours Amphitheater. See the Wall . .8 km 1555 ft Ski Trail (groomed) R 7 Nature Trail im k of Windows. T m 473 m Ski Trailhead ra ) Recycling il Bryce Point Nature Trail Auditorium or I.5 2 mi mi Outdoor Theater 3 km (2.4 NAVAJO/PEEKABOO 4.9 mi 1755 ft Combine Navajo and Grocery Store km) COMBINATION LOOP 7.8 km 535 m Peekaboo Loop Trails. (The Showers & Laundry 833I ft Auditorium or 2539m Under Sunset Point 3-4 hours 1755 ft upper half of the Wall Campfire Circle Emergency Telephone 2 the Street side of Navajo Trail .0 535 m Showers & Laundry m Rim Campground (car) i ( is CLOSED!) 3.8 km Trail Emergency Telephone Campsite (backpack) To Rainbow Point ) Hat Shop THE ‘FIGURE 8’ 6.4 mi 1785 ft Combine Queens Garden, I 3 mi (NAVAJO/PEEKABOO/ 10.2 km 544 m Navajo Trail and Peekaboo Campground (car) 20 km QUEENS GARDEN 4-5 hours Loop into one ultimate hike! Campsite (backpack) Paria 1785 ft

KPOE KPOE COMBINATION) 544 m (Overachievers may start at I Kilometer View North 0 0.5 Sunrise or Sunset Point Bryce Point)

0 0.5 I Mile Stay on maintained trail. Do not take short cuts. Hiking Reminders... Do not feed the wildlife. Wear hiking boots with good traction. Do not throw anything, anywhere, at any time. Carry plenty of water; drink a gallon a day. Be respectful of others; keep noise levels down—no yelling. Park elevations reach over 9115 feet (2778 m). Even mild exertion may leave you Pack out all trash including tissue paper and cigarette butts feeling light-headed and nauseated. Know and respect your own physical Pets are not permitted on the trails limitations. Uphill hikers have the right of way Trails with this symbol are used by horses April-October. Horses have Remember, you are entering a wild setting. Ultimately, you are right-of-way. Stand on uphill side of trail to let horses pass. Give them warning of responsible for your safety and the safety of those around you. Take what you bring; leave what you find. your presence. Talk, don’t yell. The Hoodoo 7 Fire On The Plateau

Lightning-sparked fires have been an essential part of park ecosystems for thousands of years. Where there’s smoke there’s fire and that may not be a bad thing. In fact, fires were once a common occurrence throughout the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Before human settlement increased in the late 1800s, lightning frequently started fires which rejuvenated plant growth, recycled soil nutrients, and increased wildlife habitat diversity. Grazing, fire suppression and other land Gary Becker management practices have altered this natural cycle and created an unhealthy forest with dangerous accumulations A bolt of lightning contains about a billion volts and can reach 50,000 of downed trees and dense underbrush in some areas of the degrees Fahrenheit! This photo was taken from Sunset Point. park. Piles of thinned understory gathered to reduce risks in the developed area. Bringing Fire Back A primary mission of the National Park Service is In some areas of the park, especially near developed zones, it Lightning Safety preservation of dynamic natural processes. Fire has been an may not be feasible to reintroduce fire. The area where park essential and natural part of Bryce Canyon’s ecosystems for lands meet developed zones is referred to as the “wildland- Take Lightning Seriously thousands of years. Research in fire ecology indicates many urban interface.” In partnership with other federal, state Summer storms at Bryce Canyon bring lightning, a plants and animals have evolved with and actually benefit and local agencies, as well as with responsible private powerful force which can and does kill. Take a look from the effects of fire. Without fire, forests would not be landowners, park managers are implementing strategies to along the canyon’s edge, and you’ll soon spot one of the able to support the diverse habitats required by many plant, reduce the risk of wildfire in these areas. Landowners can countless trees that have been struck. Don’t let that be bird and mammal species. The reintroduction of fire after reduce their risks considerably through clearing a defensible you! a century of absence, will help restore these fire adapted space around their buildings. ecosystems within this Park. Here at Bryce Canyon, lightning has claimed the lives of Using chain saws and hand tools, park crews remove three visitors in the past 18 years. Six other visitors have Forest Health Care dead and downed woody been seriously injured by lightning strikes. Much like a doctor would materials and thin closely prescribe a specific medical spaced live trees to create In the state of Utah, Bryce Canyon is the second most treatment for a sick patient, fuel breaks. Some dead common place for lightning fatalities and injuries, behind fire managers prescribe a standing trees and downed the Uinta Mountains. Considering that the park is much planned course of action material remains in place smaller in area, Bryce Canyon is the highest lightning to remedy unhealthy forest for use as wildlife habitat. hazard density in the state! conditions. Prescribed fires Some of the wood from these are intentionally ignited thinning projects is hauled Where is it Safe? under predetermined away and may be burned in The safest place to be is in an enclosed building with walls, environmental conditions another location or utilized roof, and floor (such as the visitor center). The next best to meet a variety of park for various purposes. The place is in an enclosed vehicle. management objectives. remaining material is piled to “Wildland fire use” is the dry and burned on site when If you can’t get to a safe location, avoid the most term used to describe natural conditions permit. dangerous places and activities, including higher lightning ignited fires that elevations, wide-open areas, tall isolated objects, water- are allowed to burn under Fire Suppression and related activities and open vehicles. Do not go under specific conditions within Prevention trees to keep dry during thunderstorms! predetermined areas. When Public and firefighter acceptable temperature, safety are always the Drip-torch being used to ignite a prescribed fire, under proper conditions. How Do I Plan for Safety? humidity, wind and other highest priority in all fire In this area, thunderstorms usually occur in the afternoon conditions occur, fire management activities. during July and August. If possible, plan your outdoor managers may use prescribed fires or allow lightning-caused Fires that threaten life and property will continue to be suppressed. Fire suppression crews from Bryce Canyon activities for the early part of the day. Learn and practice fires to burn for resource benefit. National Park and partnering agencies provide the first the 30/30 Rule (see below). Fire-Adapted Ecosystems line of defense from unwanted wildfire. Fire prevention is every citizen’s responsibility, so please use caution with all When is it Time to Seek Shelter? The ponderosa pine, with thick fire resistant bark, is an campfires and smoking materials during your visit to the Begin counting as soon as you see a flash of lightning. If excellent example of a fire-adapted species. Some of the park. you CANNOT count to 30 (i.e., 30 seconds) between the larger trees show evidence of scars from past fire activity and flash and hearing its thunder, it is unsafe to be outdoors. demonstrate that fire rarely destroys everything in its path. Healthier Forests on the Horizon You should seek shelter immediately. More typically, fire creates an important mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation. Regularly occurring lower- Park staff also work in conjunction with state air quality officials to ensure that smoke impacts are kept to a minimum, When is it Safe to Go Back Outside? intensity fire naturally thins the forest, creates meadows, however you may encounter slight inconveniences during It is not safe to be outdoors until at least 30 minutes after you recycles nutrients and releases seeds for new plant growth; your visit. Smoke from prescribed fires may temporarily hear the last thunderclap or see the last flash of lightning. all critical factors in maintaining forest health and natural cycles of growth and decomposition. obscure a vista, but also signals that healthier forests are on Don’t be fooled by the bright sunshine overhead! Lightning the horizon. can strike away from the dark clouds. Be alert to new storms developing in the area. For more information, visit these websites: www.nps.gov/brca Bryce Canyon NP-click on Fire Remember, your safety is YOUR Management responsibility. Learn the signs of an www.nps.gov/fire National Park Service Fire Management impending lightning storm. Be willing to Activities alter your visit to make the safe choice. Practice the 30/30 rule. www.nifc.gov National Interagency Fire Center and Nationwide Fire Updates Bruce Fields www.firewise.org Steps you can take to protect your 8 The Hoodoo Low-intensity fire contributes to healthy Ponderosa forests property from the threat of wildfire Is This Weather Normal? Weather at MONTH Bryce Canyon J F M A M J J A S O N D TEMPERATURE (0F) Normal Daily Maximum 39 41 46 56 66 76 83 80 74 63 51 42 Normal Daily Minimum 9 13 17 25 31 38 47 45 37 29 19 11 Extreme High 62 66 76 82 89 96 97 94 91 85 75 67 Extreme Low -30 -29 -13 -5 5 20 25 17 17 -2 -20 -23 Avg. # of Days that rise above 90 0F 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Golden-mantled Avg. # of Days that drop below 32 F 31 28 31 20 20 6 0 9 9 22 29 31 Ground Squirrel Precipitation (inches) What Animals Live Normal 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.2 0.8 0.6 1.4 2.2 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.6 Maximum 9.2 6.8 6.8 3.8 2.3 2.7 3.8 4.8 4.2 4.5 5.4 6.2 Here? Maximum 24 hr. Precipitation 2.3 1.5 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.7 1.8 3.8 3.4 1.7 1.5 3.2 For a small park, Bryce Canyon has several types of Maximum Snowfall 63 75 75 62 18 6 T T 4 22 22 49 habitat which support a diversity of wildlife. While you Days with Measurable Precipitation 7 7 8 6 5 3 5 6 4 4 5 6 may not see lots of any one species, you will see a variety Average # of Thunderstorms 0 0 0 1 5 6 14 19 7 2 0 0 of animals if you know when and where to look. Main habitat: Sagebrush, Meadow, Forest, Canyon, All habitats Sunshine / cloudiness Season: W=Fall/Winter, S=Spring/Summer, A=all seasons Number of Clear Days 9 7 9 10 12 17 16 16 18 17 11 10 Best time to look: d=day, t=twilight, b=both day and twilight Number of Partly Cloudy Days 8 8 8 9 10 8 10 10 8 7 8 8 Difficulty in finding: e=easy, h=hard, u=unlikely Number of Cloudy Days 14 13 14 11 9 5 5 5 4 7 8 13 Mammals: Reptiles/Amphibians: % Possible Sunshine 56 64 60 68 74 83 77 79 80 75 63 60 Mule Deer A,b,e Black Bear A,b,u GB. Spadefoot Toad S,d,u Pronghorn A,d,h Mtn. Lion A,b,u N. Leopard Frog S,d,h Elk W,t,h Jackrabbit A,b,e Short Horned Lizard S,d,e Prairie Dog S,d,e Cottontail A,b,e Sagebrush Lizard S,d,h A Weed By Any Other Name... Coyote A,b,h squirrels S,d,e Gophersnake S,d,u Gray Fox A,b,h chipmunks S,d,e W. Rattlesnake S,b,h As you drive along Bryce Canyon’s scenic roadways or hike Once identified, exotic species are eradicated using a number Ringtail A,t,h any of the trails, you may see Bryce Canyon’s revegetation of techniques, including manual (hand-pulling and chopping), Birds: crew and volunteers hard at work. They’re identifying and mechanical (chainsaw), fire, and—as a last resort—chemical Turkey Vulture S,d,e C. Nighthawk S,t,e documenting information such as species, location, and size means. Sometimes a combination of techniques is utilized Golden Eagle A,d,h C. Raven A,d,e of exotic vegetation infestations; manually pulling non-native such as in the case of tamarisk, Tamarix ramosissima. Small Red-tailed Hawk S,d,h Clarks Nutcracker A,d,e plants; conducting erosion control measures on steep slopes; tamarisk plants can be pulled by hand if care is taken to Peregrine Falcon S,d,u Stellers Jay A,d,e and revegetating disturbed soils. remove the entire taproot. However, larger trees must be Wild Turkey A,d,h Dark-eyed Junco A,d,e cut with a chainsaw, and the stumps treated with chemical Blue Grouse A,d,h Violet-green Swallow S,d,h Bryce Canyon has currently documented 73 exotic plant herbicides to prevent resprouting. Tamarisk favors fragile Mourning Dove A,d,h W. & Mtn. Bluebirds S,d,h species that have been in the park at one time. How did these riparian areas and outcompetes native species due to its rapid Great Horned Owl A,b,u Western Tanager S,d,e “weeds” become established here? Wildlife may have played a growth rate, deep taproots, and salt secretions that create a N. Saw-whet Owl A,t,u Pygmy Nuthatch A,d,h small role. Animals with large ranges such as mule deer, black hostile environment for native plants. Do NOT approach or attempt to feed any wild animal! bears, and mountain lions can bring in exotic plant seeds embedded in their fur. Birds may eat berries and seeds that, Along the park’s roadsides, our crew is planting and reseeding when passed through their digestive systems and excreted, soils with native plants. To prevent roadside weeds from can sprout exotics. Rodents may cache seeds for winter use in becoming established, the crew will reseed with native seeds various locations, thus spreading the seed base. Probably more and transplant native shrubs, trees, and grasses. Seeds gathered significant, though, is the role that humans play in this cycle. from grasses and forbs native to the Paunsaugunt Plateau were For instance, the revegetation crew is working to ensure that sent to a nursery in Meeker, Colorado, in order to produce the soils disturbed by road construction activities are repopulated number of seeds needed for the area of coverage. with native, rather than exotic invasive species. Clothing and boot soles carry and spread non-native seeds into the Erosion control has also been undertaken along the road. backcountry, and vehicles do the same along roadways. How You may have seen the “waddles” (straw-filled, net-covered can you help prevent the loss of native plant diversity to cylinders that are certified weed free) staked into the bare invasive species at Bryce Canyon? Scraping boots and cleaning hillsides. Waddles prevent topsoil from sloughing downhill the undercarriages of vehicles prior to entering the park will or being washed down drainage ditches until roots from the help. reseeding efforts take hold and naturally bind the soil.

Pronghorn, once roaming the plains of North America in numbers second only to Bison, can easily be found at Bryce Canyon National Park. They are the fastest land mammal on the continent and only the second fastest mammalian runner in the whole world, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph!

They can be seen in the meadow areas inside and around the park. However, because these animals are so fast, they are more safely viewed from inside your car.

When driving, stay alert for park employees working along the roadsides. Give Spotted knapweed is one of 73 exotic plant species in the park. them a brake! The Hoodoo 9 Protecting Park Resources

Earth at night. Researchers estimate less than half the residents of the Northern Hemisphere can see the Milky Way.

Astronomy Program Schedule Full Moon Hike Schedule Losing (Most Wednesdays & Fridays) (Two days near the full moon) Afraid of^the Dark? April 18 July 13 May 1 July 29 April 21 July 18 May 2 July 30 Some people are afraid of the dark. Behold, the Milky Way! This stellar strip of July 20 Interestingly, Bryce Canyon’s park rangers light is only a portion of our galaxy, which May 4 July 25 May 30 August 27 are scared of the light! Perhaps you’d be contains 200 billlion stars. May 9 May 31 August 28 fearful, too, if it was your job to protect some May 11 August 3 of the best dark left in the world. In most places it’s never dark enough to see, May 16 August 8 June 29 September 26 but at Bryce, only hours after sunset, your May 18 August 10 June 30 September 27 Preserving darkness isn’t easy. Education eyes will be able to see 2.2 million light years May 23 August 12 is our best tool, as Bryce Canyon’s biggest to the Andromeda Galaxy. Near the hind May 25 August 15 Always check at the Visitor Center for program threats to darkness come from outside its legs of the constellation Pegasus you will August 17 location and start time. This is only a partial list. boundaries. Protecting the dark requires discover this fuzzy cloud that astronomers June 6 August 22 using light wisely. Light that shines down is know as M31. Andromeda is simultaneously June 8 August 31 The Bryce Canyon astronomy team will be often necessary; however, light that escapes the largest and most distant object you will June 13 - 16 Festival giving astronomy programs at other locations in sideways or upward only pollutes the night ever see with your unaided eye, measuring June 20 September 5 the local area on Saturday evenings. Check at and dims the stars. Many municipalities have 110,000 light years in diameter! June 22 September 7 the Visitor Center for details. found that by switching to shielded light September 12 Stargazing is weather permitting and can be fixtures, they can more effectively illuminate At Bryce, the Andromeda Galaxy is just the July 4 September 14 very cold. Bring warm clothes. Temperatures September 19 neighborhoods with less electricity. This beginning. From the vantage point of this July 6 may dip down as low as 40° F / 4° C! not only reduces light pollution, but their sanctuary of darkness, a universe of stellar July 11 September 21 residents’ tax burden, as well. wonders await. Join park rangers for one of our popular astronomy programs where you Being far from civilization, Bryce’s night can marvel at all the heavens have to offer. skies are not only dark, but our high desert Before being veiled by the light pollution of location makes our thin air very easy to see the modern world, these deep sky objects through. Consequently, this is a phenomenal were once visible everywhere. Now over place for stargazing. With a limiting much of the planet they are hard to detect. It magnitude rating of 7.4, Bryce’s sky is as is estimated that less than half of the residents dark as world class astronomical research of the northern hemisphere can even see any locations. By comparison, a moonless of the Milky Way! night in a small town setting rates at a 6.0 magnitude, where 2500 individual stars can It is easy to feel insignificant underneath be seen twinkling in the void. But here at such vastness, yet ironically, it is within an Bryce, 7500 are visible to the unaided eye! individual’s power to help preserve such a view. Close your blinds at night and replace As darkness falls, the first star may actually porch lights with motion sensor security be the planet Venus, shining so brightly at lights. Become involved in local efforts Bryce it will cast your shadow. Venus is soon to establish good lighting. Who knows? followed by Vega, Arcturus, and other bright Perhaps your home town has the potential stars. When the transition from light to dark for Bryce Canyon quality stargazing. In most is complete, look for the combined light of places, all it takes to restore the heavens is a billions of stars all so distant they appear shared passion for the dark and the unified as one long cloud stretching across the sky. responsible management of light. Park rangers and volunteers offer astronomy programs twice a week in summer. These popular programs include an indoor 10 The Hoodoo multimedia presentation followed by telescope viewing of the heavens (weather permitting). Bryce Canyon Natural History Association Thank You to PO Box 640051, Bryce, UT 84764-0051 435-834-4601 Fax 435-834-4606 www.brycecanyon.org Our Donors &

Established in 1961, Bryce Canyon Natural History Partners Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest Bryce Canyon National Park wants to in furthering their scientific, educational, historical, and thank its generous donors and park interpretive activities. This is accomplished, in part, by making partners for helping to improve programs educational publications and materials available for sale and services here at the park. and/or free distribution, and supporting existing interpretive activities, like the Junior Ranger Program. The Bryce Canyon Natural History Association provides the park with Every purchase from a Bryce Canyon Natural History booklets and badges for the Junior Association bookstore helps support our mission. Ranger program, printing costs for this Hoodoo newspaper and other publications, and housing for Volunteers and interns. The Association also funds As a Natural History Association member, you can help us: a full time Education/Outreach Specialist for the park. • Publish nearly a half million pieces of free literature for park visitors each year. • Support resource management research activities. The donation box in the lobby of the visitor center has funded interpretive • Support educational outreach programs to schools in southern Utah and beyond. equipment that directly benefits the • Continue National Park Service research projects that document the natural and human visiting public. A “state of the art” history of Bryce Canyon National Park. projector for the visitor center auditorium will be purchased in 2007. • Support the Junior Ranger Program. • Help publish interpretive books, maps, posters, and audio-visual products that educate Two Geoscientist-in-Parks interns have visitors about Bryce Canyon National Park and Dixie National Forest. been granted by the Geologic Society of America. These interns will assist • Support the Bryce Canyon Interpretation Division of the National Park Service. with research, present public geology • Provide scholarships to deserving students and universities. programs throughout the summer, and provide training for park staff on the geology of the Colorado Plateau. Our Natural History Association is also helping A membership with Bryce Canyon Natural History Association to fund these two positions. includes these benefits: The Bryce Canyon Lodge and Ruby’s • 15% discount on all books, maps, posters, and other products sold by Bryce Canyon Inn Resort have implemented a Dollar Natural History Association in our stores, by phone (888 362-2642), or online Check-Off Program. Guests at their hotels Become a personal (www.brycecanyon.org). have the option of donating a dollar per night of their visit. These programs • 10% discount at the Bryce Canyon Lodge gift shop operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts partner with Bryce Canyon have funded seasonal employees for (you must present your membership card to receive discount). National Park to help interpretation and the trail crew. • Discounts to hundreds of other stores operated by more than 60 nonprofit cooperating preserve and protect the associations at numerous national parks and other public lands throughout the United A hearty “thanks” to our generous States (you must present your membership card to receive discount). donors and park partners. We couldn’t do wonder and resources for it without you! • Bryce Canyon Natural History Association members receive a discount on most High this and future generations Plateaus Institute courses. These courses offer in-depth outdoor education to visitors. Call or check our website for listings.

High Plateaus Institute V.I.P.s (Volunteer-In-Parks)

Last year, more than 280 volunteers donated over 28,000 hours to Bryce Canyon National Park! If you’ve got time and talents to share, why not become a High Plateaus Institute, Bryce Canyon National Park Volunteer-In-Park (V.I.P.)? In the spring of 2004, the Bryce Canyon Many exciting programs will be offered Natural History Association and Bryce through the HPI during the 2007 season. For more information, log on to: www. Canyon National Park, in collaboration Some examples include: educational nps.gov/brca (click on volunteer) or www. with the local business community, school programs in geology, astronomy, plants, volunteer.gov/gov. officials, universities, and city, county, state wildlife, cultural history (ranching and and federal government entities, initiated cowboy poetry) and photography. The HPI To learn more about our astronomy efforts to facilitate the inaugural year of the plays host to a variety of researchers each volunteer program, log on to: High Plateaus Institute (HPI). This exciting year, as well as provides a location for ranger- www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/ educational endeavor provides researchers, led programs for kids and families. astronomyvolunteer.htm. students, teachers, local residents, and visitors with expanded opportunities for For further information, contact the (Acting)

Many of the photos used in this publication were courtesy exploration, discovery, and science-based HPI Director at (435) 834-4603 or email of Ron Warmer. learning. [email protected]. The Hoodoo 11 Manti- 6 La Sal 6 191 How do I drive to...? Nephi NF .%6!$! 89 Price 54!( 132 Manti- La Sal 10 15 28 NF Ephraim Grand 6 Manti 6 Delta Manti- Jct. Gunnison La Sal 191 50 Scipio NF #/,/2!$/ 6 50 89 50 50 Green River Baker 6 10 54!( Salina Great Aurora Basin Fillmore 70 Garrison Arches NP NP 257 Fish Richfield 128 Lake 191 15 NF 24 Fish Lake Driving Distances Fish Goblin 24 21 70 NF Miles Hours Lake Valley SP Moab Fremont NF Milford Canyonlands NP Dead Arches NP (via I-15) ...... 270 6 Indian 89 Loa Village 24 Hanksville Horse Boulder (Anasazi SP) ...... 80 2 Koosharem Bicknell Beaver SP 24 Point Capitol Reef NP (via UT-12) . . . . . I20 3 62 SP Cedar Breaks NM ...... 56 I ½ Junction Otter Torrey 62 Creek SP 95 Cedar City ...... 80 I ¾ Dixie 12 Capitol Reef NP Manti-La Sal NF Escalante ...... 50 I ½ 130 Circleville Cedar 22 NF Anasazi Grand Canyon NP (North Rim) . . I60 3 ½ 20 Dixie 191 Breaks Antimony Indian 5 ½ NM Parowan NF Monticello Grand Canyon NP (South Rim) . . 300 89 Boulder Village Hite SP Cortez, CO (thru Page) ...... 357 8 Dixie Panguitch Calf Creek Falls 491 Kanab ...... 80 I ½ Cedar City NF Red Canyon Petrified Forest SP Natural Kodachrome Basin SP ...... 25 ¾ 12 276 Bridges 14 143 Escalante Blanding 3 Tropic NM Lake Powell (Page, AZ) ...... I50 18 56 Hatch Henrieville Glen Edge of the 95 Las Vegas ...... 270 4 ½ Cannonville Canyon Bullfrog Cedars SP 14 Kodachrome SP Ferry Panguitch ...... 25 ½ NRA Crossing 276 Dixie NF Kolob Cyn 191 89 Grosvenor Arch Cortez 160 Salt Lake City ...... 260 4 ½ 15 Bryce Halls Crossing Glendale Grand Tropic ...... I I ½ Snow Zion NP Canyon Bluff Hovenweep NM Mesa Mt. Staircase Canyon 17 NP Escalante NM Verde Zion NP (East Entrance) ...... 78 I ½ 9 Carmel Towaoc NP SP 18 Mexican 162 Jct. Big Rainbow Hat UTE MOUNTAIN St.George Hurricane Springdale Kanab 89 Water 191 Coral Pink Bridge NM RESERVATION Sand Dunes SP 160 Monument 160 Colorado Page Navajo Mtn. 389 Fredonia Valley TP City 163 64 Mesquite Pipe Antelope Slot Navajo 89 NM 191 Shiprock Spring Canyon TP 160 NM Jacob Lake 89A Kayenta .%7 Hwy 67 98 NAVAJO NATION 15 Kaibab Vermilion Closed NF Cliffs NM !2):/.! Grand Canyon- Nov-April 67 491 Parashant Valley NM Las fo Fire Chinle Grand Canyon NP 160 -%8)#/ SP North Tuba Canyon Vegas Lake HAVASUPAI Rim De Chelly Mead RESERVATION 89 City NM NRA Tuweep HOPI RESERVATION South 191 Rim Kaibab 264 NF Ganado 64 Cameron Hubbell 264 93 HUALAPAI 89 Trading Grand Post NHS 191 Gallup Canyon RESERVATION 95 Skywalk Wupatki NM 40 180

Laughlin 64 Sunset Crater NM Petrified 68 Flagstaff Forest NP Bullhead 40 Kingman Williams City Winslow 40 0 80 160 Walnut 191 Needles km 17 Canyon NM miles Holbrook 0 50 100 180

Capitol Reef National Park Cedar Breaks National Monument Grand Staircase-Escalante Nat’l Monument Red Canyon / National Scenic Byway 12 121 miles northeast via Utah 12 & 24 83 miles west via Utah 12, US 89 & Utah 14 South and east via Utah 12 & US 89 124-mile route between US 89 & Utah 24

The Waterpocket Fold, a giant wrinkle in At 10,350 feet (3155 m), Cedar Breaks is Administered by the Bureau of Land National Scenic Byway 12 stretches 124 Earth’s crust, features a jumble of colorful the highest Park Service unit and features Management, this 1.9 million acre area miles from Red Canyon to Capitol Reef cliffs, massive domes, soaring spires, a spectacular amphitheater of walls, fins, features diverse and ruggedly beautiful National Park and provides breathtaking twisting canyons, and graceful arches. spires, and columns eroded out of colorful landscapes. Utah 12 and US 89 skirt the views across the Grand Staircase and into Ancient rock art and historic orchards tell Claron limestone. Forests of pine, spruce, fir, fringes of the monument and offer numerous the Escalante Canyons. The Federal Highway of the park’s cultural history. Orchards are and aspen are separated by alpine meadows scenic pull-outs. All of the roads in the Administration designated this route an “All- open June - October for “self-serve picking” ablaze with brilliant summer wildflowers. monument’s interior are unpaved, and many American Road,” making it a “destination of cherries, pears, apricots, peaches, and Temperatures are usually cool. require 4-wheel drive. unto itself.” Ask for a Byway 12 Route Guide apples. Visitor Center: 435-425-3791 Headquarters: 435-586-9451 Escalante Visitor Center: 435-826-5499 at any visitor center along the way. www.nps.gov/care www.nps.gov/cebr Cannonville Visitor Center: 435-679-8981 Printed on recycled paper. Kanab Headquarters: 435-644-4600 Printed with Please recycle again. 12 The Hoodoo www.ut.blm.gov/monument SOY INK 05-2007 205K