Show AA 0 K k WWW THE MASTER CARVER the elements at work since the beginning of time have carved this gigantic trough in the grand canyon of colorado river one of natures most spectacular sights the canyon Qs miles in length a mile deep and at some places IS miles wide NATURES masterpieces erosion carves stupendous spectacles I 1 Vecta 1 cles in three canyons wi iu features from the beginning of time wind and water have com tined to carve the earths surface in a small section of north rn arizona and southern utah into three of the most stupendous spectacles in the world the grand canyon of colorado liver iver zion canyon of virgin river and the great horseshoe amphitheater known as bryce canyon each area in this scenic triumvirate is now a national park ind as such belongs to the people of the united states these arks may be counted among the me jewels in the national basure to be enjoyed by us today nd to be held in trust for the benefit f generations ot of americans yet to ome grand canyon national park i northern arizona Is the largest of the three p a r k s con national parks ip acres fifth zion national in a series park P in utah is second in size with acres and bryce canyon nation I 1 park also in utah is the smallest rith acres in 1946 more than people visited these parks grand canyon is miles in math a mile deep and in some laces 18 miles wide mighty moun gins ains rising thousands ot of feet from he depths of the gorge are dwarfed y the enormous proportions ot of this trough from the rim of he canyon the visitor may look own ourn on the summits of these moun gins ains wave on wave they reach 0 the horizon garnet purple topaz lice eke a stormy sea on fire and a housand feet down real storm louds may lash these mountains lightning ight ning may sparkle and thunder nay reverberate from wall to wall chile above therun shines in a cloudless loud less sky BRYCE CANYON CANYO presents a harp contrast to grand canyon lere fere the visitor enters a fairyland if pink white red and lemon yel ow a land of minarets mina and towers i land ot of castles and cathedral lomes a dreamland of goblins and grotesque ro tesque shapes there are 30 niles of pink cliffs carved and scigal ial ared the main amphitheater three niles long and about two miles vide is crammed with fantastic fig tres ires and kaleidoscopic color trails ead to such places Ps s sunrise point fairy castle queens garden eek ec a boo ab canyon aryl silent city AGAIN IN SHARP contrast zion lanyon anyon is like a vast cathedral the lome of heaven teems seems to test rest on ts is sheer stone considered by pany nany people the ast most satisfying of ill national parks zion by the fp elendor lendor pl endor of its scene invariably commands tom mands silence from all who ar approaching by mount carnel highway high vay the first view is from lie he wall of the canyon through win lows bows in the highway tunnel from te he south the visitor enters along he ourse of virgin river passing between et the huge rock masses called it at east and the west temples once inside these gates the traveler stands in a level valley enclosed by almost perpendicular walls which rise more than half a mile above him side canyons cut these walls wails into tremendous blocks blacks which rise from a blood red base changing to reddish brown and two thirds up P to gleaming gleam lne white hite tinted with buns buffs grays and reds As the visitor proceeds along this um valley he passes the sentinel bentine 1 the mountain of the sun 1 he ae court of the patriarchs the reat white throne angels land ing the weeping rock and finally the temple ot of this mystical amphitheater la 13 completely surrounded by stone ston rock walls the level floor is green with trees and in early summed suimei bright with blossoms in the center 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 walts waits for the sacrifice the ear ly pioneers deeply religious mor mons were so impressed by the solemnity of the scene that they named the canyon little zion I 1 0 0 a THESE THREE national parks are readily accessible by paved highways but the roads on the north side ot of grand canyon are closed by snow from october 15 to may 15 accommodations of all types t apes including including 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 for motorists bringing their own equipment are maintained in all ot of the parks by national park service excellent paved highways within the parks make it possible for al travelers without physical exertion to see many of the principal wonders af t each park for hardier persons there are miles of foot trails and the adventurously inclined may explore more distantly on horseback it is possible to cross of oi 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 taken only by persons in excellent excelle nt physical condition in each park ranger naturalists give frequent talks and in the evenings they conduct entertaining programs around the campfires camp fires VP A VERITABLE FAIRYLAND fantastic Fantas lio figures and kaleidoscopic color prevail in bryce canyon national park in utah |