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Show Friday, July 19, 1927 rN 7. vs h THE OGDEN DOST Cedar City; Gateway to Wonderlands of Southern Utah v, ft:'''l?V Courtwy Zion Studio "The Habitate of the Godsd, Cedar Break. Cedar Breaks, The Battlements of the Gods, and Zion Canyon, Land of Majestic Crags and Temples MYRTLE DECKER JANSON Former Head of the English Department, Branch Agricultural College We gaxe and turn away, and know On the homeward journey from ' not where, the Breaks, only two or three miles Daisied and drank with beauty, till west of Midway where the mountain the heart dugway decends the Markagnut plaReels with its fullness; there for teau is unfolded the most magnificent ever there panaroma of the entire tour of Cedar Chained to the chariot of triumphal mountains. It is the inimitable birds Art, eye view of the entire Dixie country, We stand as captives, and would not extending to he hazy purple peaks bedepart." yond the Colorado river. . LORD BYRON. A precipitous drop of about 2,000 feet down the heavily wooded mounCedhr Breaks and Zion National tain side would bring an adventurous Park are the outstanding scenic re- hiker to a wide sweep of terraced sources of this section of the country. plateau covered with aspens, pines, They furnish places of recreation and and firs. Beyond is the Kolob plateau inspiration holy places where we from the green forests of which blaze come nearer God not only for us, but forth the white and pink topped tern also for the tourists of the entire pies and towers of Zion, the grand nation. These natural wonders togeth- West Temple or Steamboat Mountain er with Bryce Canyon, the Grand dominating the scene. Beyond the Canyon of the Colorado, Kaibab For- fiery tops of Little Zion are barely est, and the mountain views between discernible the white, pink and verthese ' points, 'constitute' 'the1 grandest milion cliffs, the misty arch of Kaibab, scenic tour America affords. and the mazy dome of Navajo mounCedar Breaks, only twenty-thre- e tain the other side of. the Colorado. miles from Cedar City by an excellent People from the east particularly are turnpike road leading through the ma- astounded at 'the immense range of jestic gorges of Coal Creek canyon, visibility in this arid, terraced, plateau is the highest of Utahs gorgeously region; it is one of the strong atcolored amphitheatres. In fact, it is tractions of Western a series of seven great amphitheatres Though it is a glorious panorama, view of Zion canyon at eroded to a depth of 2,000 feet into a birds-ey- e miles by the Pink Cliff formation of Blowhaid the distance of twenty-fiv- e mountain. The rim of this highly air, is only a stimulation to the highmiles from Cedar City. tinted abyss stands at an elevation of way sixty-foNo wonder the early settlers of 10,300 feet. At a little distance to the north, the volcanic crest of Brian Head Utah gave the name of Zion to the rises to a height of 11,200 feet, afford majestic crags and the temples of the ing a vast panorama of most of south- Mukuntuweap. No one can step withern Utah, Nevada, and Northern Ari in the portals of Guardian Angel, pass without feeling the presence of his zona. This blazing chasm is reached Maker. Mukuntuweap, according to through groves of aspens and forests one of the translations by Major of stately pines and firs, without warnPowell, means place of the gods so ing. The contrast between the green that even the Indians reverenced little mountains and the gigantic fiery Zion canyon as sacred ground, and furnace apparently in the bowels of placed their sacrifices of fruit and the earth, is to many flesh at the foot of the sacred crags Hen as well as women have sobbed of tbe darkly crimson temple of like babies at the breath-takin- g No Indians would spend the flame of color that flashed into their eyes night in the shadows of its darkening from the myraids of fantastic shapes towers. . with the of the colossal scraps soaring Gigantic feet. at their pit Cedar Breaks displays a wilder, biblical titles of Court of the Patriloftier beauty on a much vaster scale archs, Angels Landing, Altar of Sacthan Bryce canyon, though the two rifice, Great White Thorne, the Great smphitheatres resemble each other in Organ, East Temple, West Temple,reli-to general outline, coloring, and a sand- gether with the hallowed peace, stone formation.. Both are master- gious serenity, and superb natural pieces of the marvelous sculptor and grandeur of the canyon, impress us rcnitect, erosion. Both are mon- more convincingly than any church strous abysmal Basins with serrated ritual can, with the power and suBoors and millions of of God. grotesque archi- blimity The enormous towers and temples tectural designs. But Cedar Breaks is carved on larger proportions; it lacks of Zion canyon have been nortli the lacy fretwork, the intricate maze the Mukuntuweap rivr (the of architecture, the limitless labyrin- fork of the Virgin river) from the Koths and grottos of Bryce, but exhibits lob plateau through more than 3,000 t01 terraces, with precipitous allu-ft- feet of jurassic standstone of the at the base, more massive white and vermilion cliffs and into the tatthic walls, and Egyptian Sphynx-hk- e lower beds of mauve sandstone and statues. purple and maroon shales. Most of At present comparatively few view- the cliffs stand from two to three ers of the Breaks follow a guide down thousand feet above the river bottom, the uncertain trails of the ' scalloped and many stand alone as individual beauty uPes into the midst of the columns, gigantic buttes of surpassing at the and majesty. Among these, s, eemdors, painted buttresses, the across and river the bend of or-tn great natural bridges, stairways, stands s: Jabaster shrines, altars, sculp-iro- d canyon from Angles Landing, of and massive imperial most the figures of fauns, satyrs, eagles, Great the .White entire group, jwns, Christian m&rtyrs, Gothic ca- the thedrals, and Grecian temples. Only Throne. True to its royal title, it the bottom can impress one stands crowned with white which S..Llp the full immensity, variety, and catches all the diamonds, pearls, yith grandeur of the Cedar Breaks. But rubies, sapphires, topazes, emeralds, and garnets the suns brilliance can me the most inspiring views are bedeck n om Point Perfection it with. Evenr hour of the day and Point new gems of color, and light flashes me which the the rim from t- over the ivory surface, of and shade, flung bastions, buttresses, towers The lower portion dome. parapets and craggy spires are not this regal colossal butte is unscalable, his of de?tin the symphony of color the maroon. or lightful pink and white of the terraces a deep red Angles Landing across the stream jhingled with tints of orange, yellow, to the north, is the delight of all hike.r Purple, ivory, ruby and acin all their intermediate shad-- ? ers who enter Zion. It is easily horse excellent an of means cessible by One is reminded of ancient "fccce and Rome by the glorified tem-an- d trail from camp to within a few rods narrow neck in of the landing itself. The demoldering acropolises of cliff with perpendicular walls roY marbled ruins. on both bottom river the to scending Mar Breaks, with its glorious trail leads to the n s'des of the narrow down through Landing giving the zest Angels gorge, Coal Creek canyon, and dizzy who love those to Fros the desert to the westward, with of adventure From this isolated heights. grotesque wildness of its etchings is obtained a glorious panorama setting sun warms the various point , of the surrounding cliffs res into living, glowing fantasy and the beauti.Peerless color, is a vision that ivory, pink, and buff, green with aspens 'hmi us to "triumphal Art; we stand ful river bottom cottonwoods. and Ftives and would not junipers, dapart. - sight-seein- g. ur . over-whelmin- g. Sin-awa- ps colon-naae- ver-Jhili-on pah-stretchi- ng Ash-ww- dan-gero- us i The same trail leading to Angels' Landing turns to the north and extends a mile or two farther to the West rim, from which one can look down on Angels' landing as a comparatively small peak, From this altitude the canyon assumes the wierd foreign atmosphere of a strange land of giants living in solemn dragon's blood towers and mosques and worand d shipping in their pink tinted temples. The .nigh pinnacles, the deep gorges are awe-in- spiring, and with the general effort of the glorious panorama with its ever shifting color and light effects, the spectacle is not only enchanting, but sublime. Those who are sure footed and not inclined to dizziness on perilous heights, may enjoy the hike up Lady mountain more than any other, but white-cappe- I prefer the four-mil- e tramp to the East rim. The wide horse trail enables us to climb and drink in the incomparable beauty at the aame time. The great chasm 3,000 feet below with its tiny serpentine river bordered in green, takes our breath as we wind around the dizzy curves of the highest accessible point along the gorge. The scenery every step of the long climb is marvelous from the narrow rock walled tidy gorge we pass through near the bottom of the trail to the. winding, breath-takin- g dugways at the top of the world. The gorges open their dragon throats and perpendicular rock temples loom into space with aweinspiring dignity. The main gorge yawns deeper than from the West rim and a larger panorama is visible. The river itself sparkles for twelve miles, winding its delicate course like a blue ribbon joining dazzling gems of. ruby, amethyst, garnet, topaz, and blooiid- stone, as one after another of Zion's temples assume these various colors in their myriads of tints and blend ings. Like a great emerald brooch, the trees o Springdale decorate the throat of - little Zion. Words are futile in expressing the magic of this most impressive, most inspiring view I ever beheld. People who ride into Zion and straight out again as many do, are likely to be disappointed, for the beauty of Zion canyon is like the beauty of great art or great literature. It must be lived; it must be seen again and again for the mind to grasp its full glory and harmony; It must have time to sink deep into ones soul. The person - who sits and gazes long as at a gallery of famous paintings, is going to be benefited far more by the beauty of Zion than one who rushes madly from one scene to another. To see Zion properly one should have at least a week at his disposal to wander at will and revel in the delights of sumptuous beauty. Still those who have only a half day to spend in the canyon can be well paid for their trip. Almost any hike can be made in four or five hours by rushing, but if less strenuous g is desired, an automo bile can be taken to within a mile or so of the Narrows. From here a foot trail leads as far up the constantly narrowing gulch, as the water permits. On the way a refreshing little nook, is encountered called "Zion Stadium, and the performers make the high walls echo with their music. They are a company of silver frogs that live in the emerald pool of this stad'um when they are not skipping over the silver gray boulders at its ox-blo- 1 sight-seein- edge. As the journey continues up the canyon, the precipitous dark red and mahogany walls grow closer, higher and more imposing. Then the path has to give way to the river, and only those who wish to ride hones can go farther. For adventurous spirits there are eight miles more of the canyon much of it so narrow that the outspread arms can touch the wide walls, and the cliffs shut out the light of day and occasionally ven the light of the stars. But most of us are not eager to venture into rushing torrents in the dark. On the return trip we have to stop and gaze rn wondr at the master tainting of Little Zion The Great White Throne seen through a vista be ween the reat Orran ar.d Angels landing. It s a superb piece of art. Near the great bend in the river we come to Weeping Rock which presents one of the most fantastic views of the park. From the constant dripping a recess has been formed. In this little cavern spectators may sit perfectly dry and watch the falling waters over-hangi- ng Cnurtmy Zion Canyon Narrows, One of a 1000 Beauty Spots. Roads in Scenic Southwest Utah all-ye- By II. V, RICHARDS, Statistician, State Road Commission. The scenic beauty and geologic interest of the National Parks of Southern Utah are so remarkable that they continue to command a large amount of space in the metropolitan newspapers throughout the United States, and in the magazines devoted to tour-i- s travel and the scenic resources of the nation. Since good roads are primarily responsible for the success attained thus far, so will the future development of this region depend upon an adequate road building program. That everyone connected with roadbuilding activities recognizes the importance of this statement is evidenced by the road projects recently completed or under way for the accommodation of the heavy tourist traffic that will inevitably result as the .fame of Utah attractions continues to grow. with the The state in federal bureau 'of public roads and forest service, has improved to a high standard 190 miles of road in the region which includes Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks and Bryce Can-cost to date of $2,000, yon at a 000, and chiefly from allotments' of federal funds. This is exclusive of the notable work performed by the national parks service in the construction of highways and trails within the environs of Zion National Park, the mileage and costs of which are not reported to this office. Extensive surveys have been comZion pleted on. the proposed Park-M- L Carmel .connection. When completed this road will effect a saving of 100 miles over existing, routes in travelling from Cedar Breaks to Zion Park and thence to Bryce Canyon. As a scenic loop for tourist travel during the summer months from Cedar City over the Cedar- - Long Valley rOad to Bryce Canyon and returning via Zion Park to Cedar City, there will be a reduction of approximately 130 miles as compared, with present routes. It will also provide an economic commercial connection - 1 25-mi- for Kannk with the ruilroml at Cedar City mid an route, the summit elevation on the proposed road being 6500 feet, which is some 3500 feet lower than that over the (Vdur-l-on- g Valley mad. Thu importance of this connection link hua long been recognized but its great cost, on account of the rugged rountry traversed has delayed its construction pending the improvement of tho existing mads in this region and their interstate connections. The most expensive portion of this roadway will be the eight miles lying within the park boundaries. It will surmount the east rim of Zion Canyon with a maximum grade of 5 per rent. Thu rood will be recessed over a portion of its length within tho sheer precipices of the canyon wall, displaying from its winding galleries, views of unexamplThis eight miles of ed magnificence. spectacular highway will cost, it is estimated, in excess of $la0(X),000. It will be financed by tho National Parks Service and constructed by the Bureau of Public llouds. The remaining 17 miles, all in Kane county, wiH be built by the state, with the federal government participating in its financing. The estimated cost is $300, 000. The state is ready to proceed with its portion of the construction and it is believed that the road will bo completed throughout its entire length and opened to traffic within two years. Within Washington an I Iron counties is comprised most of the mileage designated for improvement under tho Federal Aid law in the scenic region. Tho projects completed to date by tho state within these two counties with federal aid with mileage and costs are as follows: 33 miles ...Iron County: Cedar-Lun0.5 Buckhorn $334,300; Flat, gravel, miles gravel, $68,500; 12 miles gravel, $99,400; Parowan-Win- n Hollow, 9.6 miles gravel, $91,- 300; Cedar City Concrete, 1.1 miles, le from the cliffs above! From the brink of the mofintain comes a waterfall which spreads in a veil of spray splashing and refreshing the ferns, mosses, and flowers about the spot The distant rosy buttes and cliffs seen through that mist lend to the scene the air of enchantment. We ask ourselves if we have accidently fallen into Alices Wonder Land. Then there is the Grotto, another nook only a fifteen minutes fairy-lik- e walk south of camp. Here we should enjoy gazing indefinitely. The shim-of mering waterfall from the top another vertical cliff sends a shower into the sparkling stream on the rocks below. A charming little amphitheatre with the stage set and decorated for a grand oratorio stands waiting for the festival About a mile west of camp In the direction of Lady mountain are the Emerald pools, limpid as crystal but with a greenish tinge from the reflection of light effects in the water. Here, too, delightful and fantastic veils of spray shimmer bewitchingly from the high peak into the pools beneath, causplays of ing the most phantom-lik- e changing color. A vertlable paradise for fairies and elves as well as for deer that bide their young behind blankets of spray! At last when all the enchanting nooks of the river bottom have been enjoyed, when Lady mountain. Cable mountain, and Angels' Landing have been scaled and the glories of Little Zion have been viewed from the East and West rim, and you are still eager for new visions, perhaps you can find a way to scale the west temple of the Gfeat White Throne whose heights have never known human foot step. Or rhans you can solve the mystery of Mystery mountain and learn on which side of its delicate pink and white cone flows the Mukuntuweap river. It is a lofty peak near the Narrows, of such "suprising symmetry, delicate and ethereal tints that the beholder exclaims in admiration. ar d, Cedar-Kanarr- a, plus citys portion, $10,000; Kanarra to Washington county line, 4.5 miles gravel estimated to cost $38,0Q0 is under construction, Washington County: Andersons Ranch-As- h Creek, 7.3 miles gravel with four concrete bridges, $149,000; Ash Creek to Iron county line with 130-f'clear span concrete arch bridge across Ash Creek, $189,000; Ander$32,400, L son's Ranch-Toquervill- gravel with $50,000; e, 160-f- t. Rockville-Zio- n gravel, $119,000; St. 2.8 miles concrete bridge, Park, 6.4 miles George-IIarris-bu- rg Bench, 8.9 miles gravel with tunnel, $172,000. 235-f- t. Rockville-Dal-to- n Wash, 7.6 miles gravel estimated cost $110,000 is under construction. In Garfield and Kane counties, forest projects completed by the Bureau of Public Roads, financed by the Forest Service with local or state cooperation in part are: Circleville Canyon, 4.5 miles graded, $64,000; Bryce Canyon, 5 miles gravel, $28,000; Red Canyon, 7.6 miles gravel, $115,000; 13.5 Garfield county miles part surfaced, $103,900; 2.9 miles graded, $50,000. The Cedar-Lon- g Valley road via Cedar Breaks and Navajo Lake, 42 miles, also a forest project, surfaced in part, cost $368,000. The spur to Cedar Breaks, 4.1 miles long, will be built on a relocation at an estimated eost of $38,000, the new road to be a marked improvement in grade and alignment. Miscellaneous state projects in the last two years without federal aid in the four counties have cost $33,000. Roth Federal Aid and Forest projects when completed are taken over for maintenance by the state with funds derived from the Gasoline Tax. It is axiomatic that the heavy expenditure of public funds as above outlined, should be efficiently conserved. Evidence of the improvement in this direction is apparent from the line-Glenda- le, Bryce-Tropi- c, fact that whereas the average expenditure for gravel road maintenance prior to the enactment of the gaso line tax law was $88 per mile each year, the average rate is now $210. This includes the additions of new material to the travelled way, in re placing the surface losses resulting from the wear and tear of traffic. It. also includes much closer attention to the riding qualities of the road than was formerly possible with the very limited funds available. The patrol syr.tem of maintenance has been adopted on all main routes, 7. Urn HI wild supplemented by flunting gangs that are equipped to make such repairs as require several men and special equipment. The work of the putrol-me- n is to keep the road surface up to standard, ditches and culverts open shoulders graded, weeds cut, etc. Work performed by the gangs consists in the removal of breakages and slides, hauling and placing renewals to gravel surfaces. The upkeep of structures requires that repairs be made to guard railing and timber bridges, that steel bridges bo repainted, bolts tightened, channels cleared, etc. Upon tho completion of Federal Aid reject No.' 11, Lund to Cedar City, Iron county provided for its continuous repair and upkeep by a system of patrols, this being before the days of the gasoline tax, and furnished the state with its first example of a rend maintained by the patrol system. It proved so effective that its adoption throughout the state was general. In 1924 the State Road Commission undertook a share of the costs of maintenance of state roads with funds made available by the gasoline tax. In 1925, fiftcy per cent of such maintenance costs were lairne by the state and in 1926 the statu relieved the counties of all obligation under this head on the state road system. It now costs approximately $700,-00- 0 annually to maintain the state roads of Utah and these costs are rising with the steady increase in traffic. The use of the roads for travel during the winter months is increasingly popular and snow removal on many of our roads Is an Important and expensive item in the annuul budget In our thinly populated state, 70 per cent of its area being still a part of the public domain, merely to keep our extensive mileage of splendid roads to standard and to pay the interval and sinking fund charges on road bonds outstanding will continue to be a heavy tax on our resources. Future improvements must depend, to a large extent upon financial assistance from the general government Federal Aid in Utah, exclusive of forest road construction, will continue to the amount of $850,000 each year to the close of the fiscal year 1929. There is no assurance that it will continue beyond that period. It is of paramount importance to the development of thia state and its scenic resources that federal aid in highway construction remain a fact on the statute books until our total of 1684 miles of road in the federal aid system has been improved to the required standard. There is no other section of the country where more is to be gained by highway improvement than in the Public Land states and, as a consequence, no other section in which the per capita expenditure for highways is equalled. Within a very few years, if our present rate of progress can be continued, every mile of our principal highways will be satisfactorily improved and accommodating as never before the local and interstate traffic and the tourist travel from adjoining and distant states. , on Tt i I yy i. ir- . I I. b: ! ! .. it V J'; '..? Angels IVV! I.;'. Courts? Zln Studio Pathway." On Highway tq Cedar Breaks. ' : |