Brake for Cedar Breaks National Monument

Southern Utah is a treasure trove of geologic wonders.  Included in this crown of jewels is Cedar Breaks National Monument.   It is located 23 miles east of Cedar City and three miles south of Brian Head Resort. 

According to Wikipedia, “Cedar Breaks is a natural amphitheater, stretching across 3 miles, with a depth of over 2,000 feet.  The elevation of the rim of the amphitheater is over 10,000 feet above sea level.”

After our visit to the Parowan Petroglyphs, we drive south on UT-143 and enter Cedar Breaks National Monument from its north entrance.  

NPS Park Map

Entrance Sign

The Scenic Drive through the Park is open from late May until the first heavy snowfall, usually in mid-November.  No worries about snow today because our early October visit is under blue skies and temperatures are in the 60’s F. 

Just inside the park is our first overlook (North View – elevation 10,435').  It provides us with a glimpse of the exciting scenery to come.

North View Scenery

We stop at Chessmen Ridge Overlook (elevation 10,460') for a slightly different view of the canyon.  The name Chessmen comes from the amazing rock formations resembling chess pieces. 

Chessmen Ridge Overlook

The Visitor Center is near the Point Supreme Overlook (elevation 10,350').  The view from here encompasses nearly the entire monument.  The Native Americans eloquently describe this area as the "Circle of Painted Cliffs."

Point Supreme Overlook

The National Park Service (NPS) describes the area as, “Shaped like a huge coliseum, stone spires stand like statues in a gallery alongside columns, arches, and canyons.  Varying combinations of iron and manganese give the rock its different reds, yellows, and purples.” 

For those of us who aren’t rockin’ it in the geology department and need a simplistic explanation on how the landscape was formed, the NPS offers this statement.  “The geology of Cedar Breaks started around 60 million years ago.  The amphitheater one can see from various viewpoints today was created through three geological events: deposition, uplift, and erosion.”

There are three hiking trails within the park boundaries.  They are:  the easy one-mile Campground Trail; the one or two mile loop Alpine Pond Nature Trail; and the Spectra Point (2 miles round trip)/Ramparts Overlook Trail (four miles round trip). 

After a picnic dinner, we begin hiking to Spectra Point.  If you have the time, I recommend doing this hike.  The views are spectacular but the chance to see the ancient bristlecone pine is an opportunity not to be missed.

The Trail Begins ...

The trail is described as: “This trail provides a unique perspective of high-altitude life.  Low-growing cushion plants cling to exposed limestone; playful marmots sun themselves outside their burrows; old bristlecone pines stretch their gnarled branches into the sky.  Near Spectra Point is a magnificent grove of bristlecone pine trees.  One of the world’s longest-living organisms, these trees thrive in poor limestone soils.”

Hiking the Trail to Spectra Point

Scenery Along the Trail

When we arrive at Spectra Point, the late afternoon sun is coloring the canyon rocks in vibrant shades of reds and oranges and creating shadows that highlight its textures and layers. 

Views from Spectra Point Overlook

View from Spectra Point Overlook

As promised, we see a small grove of bristlecone pine.  Their twisted roots and gnarled limbs are bathed in the warm colors of the setting sun.  

Bristlecone Pine

According to Wikipedia, “The bristlecone pine, a species of tree that probably lives longer than any other single organism, can also be found in the high country, with some local specimens known to be more than 1600 years old. “

Bristlecone Pine at the Edge of the Rim

Bristlecone Pine Tree Trunk

During our visit, we had Spectra Point to ourselves.  It was a quiet and beautiful place to be at sunset.   

It is twilight time when we begin walking the mile trail back to the parking lot.

Another cool feature about Cedar Breaks is its dark skies (great for star gazing).  It is one of only a handful of dark sky parks in the world.  We leave Cedar Breaks National Monument under starry skies. A waning gibbous moon rises in the eastern sky changing from a golden color to yellow to white as it rises higher into the night sky.

Now, we need to find a place to stay for the night.  I am a planner but my Hubby likes to be spontaneous.  Tonight was one of those times that spontaneity was not a good idea.  After several failed attempts to find a hotel room, we are told the town of Kanab has several national chain hotels and a number of "Mom & Pop" establishments.  

Upon our arrival in Kanab, we are greeted by "no vacancy" signs.  One hotel clerk says "I think the Rodeway Inn about two blocks from here has one smoking room left".  She calls them and they hold the room for us.  When we enter the lobby, the desk clerk tells us “it’s a good thing you called because someone else just came in looking for a room.”  Apparently all hotels within an 80 mile radius are full tonight (tour buses are parked at every hotel with more than 20 rooms). I think we literally got the last room in town.  Meanwhile, we see other people desperately looking for a place to stay.  So, the moral to the story is – it’s better to be safe than sorry - book your hotel rooms ahead of time especially if the tour buses are in town. 

Food and lodging services are not available at Cedar Breaks National Monument, but can be found in the surrounding areas.

Brian Head (population 86 in 2013) is about 3 miles away and offers a few lodging options and limited places to eat.           
Cedar City (population 29,162 in 2013) is about 20.5 miles away and offers a wide variety of lodging and dining choices.

Springdale (population 548 in 2013) has a limited lodging and dining options.

Kanab (population 4,468 in 2013) is about 68 miles away and has numerous lodging and dining establishments.

Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews.  

If you enjoy camping, there are 25 campsites within Cedar Breaks National Monument at the Point Supreme Campground.  There is also a picnic area with tables and restrooms (during the summer season).

CONTACT INFORMATION:  Cedar Breaks National Monument, 2390 West Highway 56, Suite #11, Cedar City, Utah (USA)

Phone:  (435) 586-9451 x4420

GENERAL INFORMATION:  This 9,617 square mile national monument was established by President Franklin Roosevelt on August 22, 1933.  Even though the Park is open year-round, winter access may be limited due to its high elevation and wintry conditions.

An entrance fee is required for Cedar Breaks National Monument.   If you don’t have a park pass, the fee can be paid at the station at Point Supreme.  

For information and photos on nearby places we visited, I invite you to view my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Plane Your Visit - Bryce Canyon NP

Plan Your Visit - Zion NP

A Boo-tiful Spot for a Ghost Town - Grafton Utah

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To start planning your memorable trip to Cedar Breaks National Monument click on the “Plan Your Visit” link below:

Plan Your Visit - Cedar Break NM