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Being a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park

Sunrise out my window
Being a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon, some days start early.

The candelabra tree, Ponderosa Pine
I might lead a nature walk.

Or give a geology talk.

Converse with Raven.

5-legged long-horned beetle
Rescue a bug.

Aspen fire on Walhalla Plateau
Talk about fire.

Prepare for a campfire.

Today I’ll be out on the Walhalla Plateau talking about geology at Cape Royal.

Unkar delta on Colorado River
And archeology at the Walhalla overlook.

Some days run late.
Rangers get paid in sunsets.
Grand Canyon National Park, Park Ranger 26 Comments

Cedar Breaks National Monument a chilly second day

Columbine Ridge and Lavender Canyon Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahColumbine Ridge and Lavender Canyon
My second day (first day) at Cedar Breaks National Monument I drove the 5-mile (8 km) park road to the farthest viewpoint called North View at 10435 feet (3180.5 meters) where it was cold (mid 40s F) and so windy (gusts up to 50mph). I was sure every photo would be blurry as I could barely hold on to the camera and stand upright. Sure glad it wasn’t blowing towards the canyon.
Brian Head from Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahOpposite the canyon to the northeast stands Brian Head Peak, 11315 feet (3448.8 meters).
Junior Ranger yurt Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahThe Jr. Ranger yurt complete with skylight and woodstove
Next stop was the Alpine Pond trail head and although it’s only a .5 mile (.8 km) trail I was too cold to go that far. If there had been a fire and Jr. Ranger program going on in the yurt I’d have been there.
Elderberries Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahI wonder if these elderberries will ever ripen at this elevation and short growing season.
Big view Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahJericho Ridge, Arch Creek drainage, Bristlecone and Chessmen Ridges
Just down the road at the Chessmen Ridge Overlook the scene changed again.
Thistle Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahSome kind of thistle
The Southern Paiute who first lived in the area called Cedar Breaks u-map-wich, meaning the place where the rocks slide down all the time.
Sunset view overlook Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahSunset View overlook west into Arch Creek drainage towards Cedar City
Later, American settlers named the area Cedar Breaks; Cedar for the misnamed juniper trees, and Breaks which is a term for badlands.
Fleabane Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahFleabane
Back at Point Supreme where the visitor center is located was a little protected from the fierce wind.
Cedar Breaks National Monument Utah
I watched in awe as cloud shadows flowed across the canyon. Yet it was cold and still windy so I headed home.
Cedar Breaks National Monument, National Parks and Monuments, Utah 35 Comments

Cedar Breaks National Monument the first day

Road to Cedar Breaks National Monument Utah Much like driving up to the North Rim of Grand Canyon through spruce-fir forest and subalpine meadows dotted with wildflowers, it’s hard to believe there could be anything called the Cedar Breaks National Monument Amphitheater.
Historic Visitor Center Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahBuilt in 1937 by the CCC
First stop, the visitor center to get my Jr. Ranger book. I collect badges and always promise to do all the activities. (By different ages, kids usually only do a few pages.) I attended an excellent Ranger program about our first impressions of wildlife, specifically the Golden Marmot (which I saw briefly) and a weasel.
View West Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahView west towards Cedar City, Utah
Then I walked .8 mile (1.3 km) out to Point Supreme, elevation 10,350 feet (3155 meters).  And even though it’s a short and level trail I could feel the thin air. The amphitheater is more than 2,000 feet (610 meters) deep and at least 3 miles (4.8 km) in diameter.
View Northwest Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahView northwest
Magnificent! I leaned on the smooth wood rail to absorb the view of stone spires and columns in layers of colors from the iron and manganese in the limestone deposited about 70 million years ago in a lake bed.  I wondered what the environment looked like then.
Looking into Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahWhat a pleasant surprise when Gary settled in next me. He and wife Sue were my neighbors in 2008 on the North Rim and now he works at Cedar Breaks. He pointed out this arch.
Arch in canyon Cedar Breaks National Monument UtahI spotted this arch, can you?
I didn’t get any farther into Cedar Breaks National Monument but returned the next day.
Cedar Breaks National Monument, National Parks and Monuments, Utah 37 Comments

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