Sunset from the Spectra Point Trail
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Utah
September 9, 2012
Cedar Breaks National Monument is about 15 miles as the crow flies from Cedar City, Utah. The upper rim of the monument sits at 10,350 feet. Cedar City sits 4,550 feet lower at the intersection of the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin.
The geologic history of Cedar Breaks began about 60 million years ago when sediments were deposited into ancient Lake Claron. As algae living in the lake died, it cemented the particles together, creating limestone.
About 10 million years ago, the Hurricane Fault became active just east of today's Cedar City. It uplifted the eastern side of the fault, creating the Markagunt Plateau.
The uplifted plateau became susceptible to the forces of wind, water and chemical erosion.
Today, we see an ever evolving amphitheatre of limestone towers and magnificently colored cliffs.
The Spectra Trail follows about 2 miles of the amphitheatre's rim, giving you many amazing vistas of the 6 mile wide bowl.
Visit the Cedar Breaks National Monument website