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Show Cedar Breaks amphitheater near both Cedar. Parowan Cedar Breaks National Monument is a 10 mile square area 14 miles southwest south-west of Parowan and 23 miles northeast of Cedar City. A gigantic multicolored amphitheater is here being slowly scooped from the western edge of the rolling green alpine meadows atop southern Utah's high country. Within the steep-walled ravines of the natural amphitheater, am-phitheater, rain and wind, snow and ice have eroded the limestone into many fantastic shapes. Added to this are sweeping vistas of forests and mountain wildflowers. The name "Cedar Breaks" is derived from the early settler's use of the term "breaks" for badlands and their erroneous use of "cedar" for the junipers growing near the base of the cliffs. Rock layers that compose the amphitheater walls originated some 55 million years ago as limy ooze deposited in shallow freshwater fresh-water lakes near sea level. During the last 13 million years, the area was slowly uplifted to the present elevation of more than 3,000 meters (10,000 feetK This produced the steep westward-facing escarpment of limestone that is exposed to the e elements of erosion. Gradually water, aided by frost and wind, eroded softer parts of the limestone. The more resistant parts remain as spires and ridges of countless shapes. Lifting of the land was accompanied by volcanic eruptions. Lava from more recent eruptions may be seen along the road between Cedar Breaks and U.S. 89. Many of these lava beds stil do support vegetation. PLANTS The wildflower display begins as soon as the snow melts and reaches its peak during July and early August. The monument contains majestic stands of pine, fir, spruce, and quaking aspen, interspersed with mountain meadows. Bristlecone pine is of special interest. ' ' ' " |