Anyone been to Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah? Is it worth a side trip while I'm out that way this summer?
Posted by Howard Cihak on June 17, 2012 at 3:13 PM
I visited Cedar Breaks a lot of years ago, but I doubt it's changed much. It's an interesting sight, but my recollection was that the photo ops were pretty limited. If I were an the area, and could spare the time without impacting the rest of my itinerary, I'd drop by again, but not otherwise.
Posted by Monika Chace on June 17, 2012 at 3:43 PM
Bob,
My husband & I were there for the annular solar eclipse. It's the other side of the formations that make up Bryce (mostly west facing), but the park itself is very small. There really isn't any hiking down into the formations. But it is high & much cooler than, say, Zion e.g. Zion was going to be about 30 degrees hotter than Cedar Breaks for the eclipse. West of Bryce is Red Canyon, with lots of 4x4 backcountry roads that can get you close to/into some very beautiful canyons. You would need a very detailed map if you don't want to just cruise around & explore. Also in the Panguitch to Cedar City & east area are a lot of volcanic areas, which could yield nice compositions of black rock & green trees. Escalante Grand Staircase would yield much more in the way of photographic possibilities (but also be very hot). Round Valley Draw, down the Cottonwood road is a slot that might be cool enough (about 3 hour walk RT).
Hi from California. You might want to watch the weather and flex a bit with Cedar Breaks. A few years back when the thunder clouds were piling up the sunset was really dramatic. Since it is West exposure it is pretty good for evening photography. There is a killer trail that goes along the Southern side of the Rim that allows you to take some shots back toward the East. Not too long, but starts at over 10,000 feet as I recall. Hard to . . . . breath . . . for us . . . flatlanders.
Discussion
5 repliesMy husband & I were there for the annular solar eclipse. It's the other side of the formations that make up Bryce (mostly west facing), but the park itself is very small. There really isn't any hiking down into the formations. But it is high & much cooler than, say, Zion e.g. Zion was going to be about 30 degrees hotter than Cedar Breaks for the eclipse. West of Bryce is Red Canyon, with lots of 4x4 backcountry roads that can get you close to/into some very beautiful canyons. You would need a very detailed map if you don't want to just cruise around & explore. Also in the Panguitch to Cedar City & east area are a lot of volcanic areas, which could yield nice compositions of black rock & green trees. Escalante Grand Staircase would yield much more in the way of photographic possibilities (but also be very hot). Round Valley Draw, down the Cottonwood road is a slot that might be cool enough (about 3 hour walk RT).