Show V www al R a till MASTER CARIER ER the elements at work since the beginning of time have carved this gigantic trough in the grand canyon of colorado river one of nature natures s most spectacular sights he the canyon Is miles in length a mile deep and at some places IS 18 miles wide flA NATURES TURES masterpieces erosion carves stupendous spectacles in three aln ee canyons features from the beginning of time wind and water have corn com bained to carve the earths surface in a small section of north ern arizona and southern utah into three of the most dous spectacles in the world the grand canyon of river zion canyon of virgin river and the great horseshoe shaped amphitheater known as bryce canyon each area in this scenic triumvirate is now a national and as such belongs to the people of the united states parks may be counted among the incomparable jewels in the national treasure to be enjoyed by us today and to be held in trust for the benefit of generations of americans yet to come grand canyon national park in northern arizona Is the largest of the three parks con national parks taming acres fifth zion national in a series park in utah Is second in size with 94 acres and bryce canyon nation al park also in utah is the smallest with 36 acres in 1946 more than people visited these parks grand canyon is miles in length a mile deep and in some places 18 miles wide mighty moun bains rising thousands of feet from the depths of the gorge are dwarfed by the enormous proportions of this titanic trough from the rim of the canyon the visitor may look down on the summits of these moun bains wave on wave they reach to the horizon garnet purple topaz like a stormy sea on fire and a thousand feet down real storm clouds may lash these mountains lightning may sparkle and thunder may reverberate from wall to wall while above the sun shines in a cloudless sky 0 BRYCE CANYON presents a sharp contrast to grand canyon here the vis tor enters a fairyland of pink white red and lemon yel el low a land of minarets and towers a land of castles and cathedral domes a dreamland of goblins and grotesque shapes there are 30 miles of pink cl effs carved and sculptured the main amphitheater three miles long and about two miles wide is crammed with fantastic fig ures and kaleidoscopic color trails lead to such places as sunrise point fairy castle queens garden peek a boo canyon and silent city AGAIN IN SHARP contrast zion canyon is like a vast cathedral the dom of heaven seems to rest on its sheer stone walls considered by many people the most satisfying of ell all national parks zion by the splendor of its scene invariably commands silence from all who en ter approaching by mount car mel highway the first view is from the wall of the canyon through win dows in the highway tunnel from the south the visitor enters along the course of virgin river passing between the huge rock masses called the east and the west temples once inside these gates the traveler stands in a level valley enclosed by almost lar walls which rise more than half a mile above him side canyons cut these walls into tremendous blocks which rise from a blood red base changing to jit adish brown and two thirds up C to gleaming white tinted with buffs grays and reds bathe A q the visitor proceeds along this rafol lou valley he passes the sentinel ithe the mountain of the sun the cowl of the patriarchs the great W whytt atit throne angels land ing the weeping rock and the temple of this mystical amphitheater is I 1 completely surrounded by stone rock walls the level floor is green with trees and in early bright with blossoms in the ot of the circle stand two large stone pillars the larger one Is called the altar and the smaller one is known as the pulpit the visitor instinctively listens for the sermon and waits for the sacrifice the ear ly pioneers deeply religious mor mons were so impressed by the solemnity of the scene that they the named the canyon little zion THESE THREE national parks are readily accessible by paved highways but the roads on the bortt side of grand canyon are closed by snow from october 15 to may 15 accommodations of all types in eluding hotels lodges cabin camps and cafeterias are found on the south rim of grand canyon lodges and cabin camps also are available at the north rim and in both zion and bryce free campsites toi fox motorists bringing their own equip ment are maintained in all of the parks by national park service excellent paved highways within the parks make it possible for all travelers without physical exertion to see many of the principal won ders of each park for hardier per sons there are miles of foot trails and the adventurously inclined may explore more distantly on horse back it is possible to cross on foot by mule or horse from the south rim to the north rim of grand canyon but this trip and all trips down into the canyon should be tak en only by persons in excellent phys ical condition in each park ranger naturalists give frequent talks and in the eve rungs lungs they conduct entertaining pro grams around the campfires 7 1 le V av A kl VERITABLE FAIRYLAND fantastic figures and lo 10 color prevail fix bryce canyon national park in utah |