Hoodoos-Grottos-Narrows....don't worry, its all English!

Natural Bridge Formation
see all photos »

So with horseshoe shaped amphitheaters that one can get lost within...to myriad colors and unique rock formations that demand your awe...from  breathtaking view points named aptly as Sunrise, Sunset and my very favorite - Inspiration Point...to elevations that span a range of 3000 feet... Bryce offers an unparalleled evocative landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see, and goes beyond your every single imagination. Taking all this beauty in...was the biggest challenge...alas we had just a pair of eyes to do it with!

Grottos seen at Bryce Point
see all photos »

the science and geology behind the not-so-english-sounding words!

What can I write here that could come close to what I saw and experienced at this national park? What could I say, that could make you want to go there...and what could I give to go there again? One thing I could do, is to feel extremely fortunate that in my lifetime, I got to witness this pure magnificence.

Perhaps another time, a week here might be just what the doctor ordered...however, on this mini-grand circle trip, we spent 2 days at the park.

Hoodoos...totem-pole rock formations.
see all photos »

Now for some science and geology...to understand what those not-so-english-sounding words mean!!

• A Hoodoo (interesting name isn't it?) is a tall skinny spire rising from the park basin, that is shaped by the constant erosional patterns of alternating hard and soft rock layers.The name given to the rock layer that forms hoodoos at Bryce Canyon is the Claron Formation.  No where are hoodoos more predominant than in the northern section of Bryce Canyon National Park. A famous named Hoodoo at Bryce is the Thor's Hammer (see photo)

  ---

• Grottos are the result of erosion of softer pockets of the upper White Member of the Claron Formation. Excellent grotto formations can be seen all around from Bryce Point (see inset photo).

  ---

• Walls or fins are narrow walls of rock, bound by joints or fractures on either side. As weathering and erosion open the cracks wider and wider they form narrows or slot canyons. A good example of this can be seen on the Navajo trail (see photo)

  ---

• Windows or arches are natural holes that form along cracks and weak spots in thin walls of rock called "fins." The distinction between the two is that bridges are carved by flowing water, whereas arches can be carved by everything else except flowing water. A great example of this is Natural Bridge (see photo)

  ---

Walls or Narrows seen along Navajo Trail
see all photos »

Our vocabulary saw a sharp rise during and after our visit to Bryce. Understanding how and why these interesting and unique shapes were carved out of rock and sandstone, millions of years ago...and knowing that the process continues as we speak...helped us really get personal with Bryce, its science and its characteristic geology.

TIP: There are excelled park ranger guided nature talks offered at the park. Check the visitor center for timings and ito see if you can take advantage of these. You learn so much about whats around you, and how it came to be!