Show NATURES masterpieces MASTEn PIECES ar erosion carves stupendous ou S spectacles in three canyons features from the beginning of time wind and water have combined to carve the earths surface in a small section of northern arizona and southern utah into three of the most stupendous spectacles in the world the grand canyon of colorado river zion calison canyon of virgin river and the great hors horseshoe esho e shaped amphitheater known as bryce canyon each area in this scenic triumvirate is now a national park and as such belongs to the people of the united states these parks may be counted among the incomparable jewels in the national nat lopal iopal treas treasure ure to be enjoyed by us today and t to 0 be he held I 1 d in trust for the benefit of generations ot of americans yet to come grand canyon national park in northern arizona Is the largest of the three p parks a r k containing national parks a acres c r e fifth zion national nation in a series park in utah is seco second d in size with 94 acres and bryee bryce canyon nati national park also in utah is the smallest with acres in 1948 1946 more than people visited these parks grand canyon is miles in length a mile deep and in some places 18 miles wide mighty im mountains oun rising thousands of feet fee from the depths of the gorge are dwarfed by the enormous proportions of this titanic trough from the rim of the canyon the visitor ma may y look down on the summits of these mountains 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 m y lash these mountains lightning may sparkle and thunder may reverberate from wall to wall while above the sun shines in a cloud cloudless le ss sky BRYCE CANYON presents sharp contrast to grand c canyon anyon here the visitor enters a fairyland fa ryland ot of pink white red and lemon yellow a land of minarets mina and towers a land of castles and cathedral domes a dreamland amland ot of goblins and grotesque shapes there are 30 miles of pink cliffs carved an and I 1 sculptured the 4 main amphitheater three miles long and about two miles wide Is crammed with fantastic figures 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 HR contrast zion canyon is like a vast cathedral the dome of heaven seems to rest on its sheer stone walls considered by many people the most satisfying of all national parks zion by the splendor of its scene invariably commands silence from all who enter approaching by mount carmel highway the first view is from the wall of the canyon through windows in the highway tunnel from the ithe south the visitor enters along 0 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 perpendicular walls which rise more than half a mile above him side canyons out ont these walls into tremendous blocks which rise from a blood red base changing to reddish brown and two thirds up to gleaming glea ming white tinted t with buffs buffa grays and reds As the visitor proceeds along this monumental valley he passes passe s the sentinel the mountain of the surl sun the court of the patriarchs the great white throne angels land ing the weeping rock and snail finally the temple of this mystical amphitheater li it completely surrounded by atom rock walls the level floor Is green with trees and in early summer bright with blossoms in the center of the circle stand two large stone ston pillars the larger one are la is called the altar and the smaller one Is ii known si as the pulpit the visitor instinctively listens for the sermon and waits for the sacr idee the ear ly pioneers deeply religious mor mons were so impressed by the th solemnity of the scene that thea 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 hi snow from october 15 to may 15 accommodations of all types in eluding hotels lodges cabin camps campi and cafeterias are found on the th south rim of grand canyon lodges lodged and cabin camps also are available at the north rim and in both zion and bryce free campsites for foi motorists bringing their own equip ment are maintained in all of th parks by national park service excellent paved highways within the parks make it possible tor 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 horseback 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 taken only by persons in excellent physical condition in each park ranger range rna naturalists tura lists give frequent talks and in the eve bings they conduct entertaining programs around the campfires camp Bres fires 77 77 J K i e 7 W RIM x VERITABLE FAIRYLAND Fanta stio fig ares and fo color prevail in bryce canyon national park in utah |