Zion and Cedar Breaks

There must be a law in Utah that says you are required to go 5 to 15 miles an hour below the speed limit, especially in the hills. The number of cars behind you doesn't matter. If they want to go faster (like maybe the speed limit), they have to pass, but only in the very short passing zones, if there is no traffic. And rule number one, you must NEVER pull over to let anyone pass.

Or, you go 5 to 15 miles per hour faster than the posted limit and force others to pull over to let you by before you ram their back bumper.

End of rant.

Tuesday, I went to Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons. I did the short hike at the end of the road to the overlook. Looking at the canyon from that level was overwhelming. The beauty was breathtaking and not just because of the altitude.

I spent an hour getting to the top and back (I walk very slowly) and then drove to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Zion Kolob Canyon is 20 miles south of Cedar City (where I am right now) and Cedar Breaks is 25 miles northwest.

A year ago (right after I got my camera), I had made plans to visit Colorado in time for the color changes in the aspen trees. I cancelled that trip because of the flooding in Colorado at that time. I guess I wasn't looking in the right place.

The altitude at the visitor center at Cedar Breaks is 10,500 feet above sea level. Talk about breathtaking. This time is was the altitude.

But a big part of it was looking over the railing at the visitor center and seeing the surrounding area. OMG, it was scary looking over, but the view was even more taking-away-my-breath and it wasn't just the altitude.

But back to the aspens. At the altitude of Cedar Breaks and the pass leading up to it, I was at the "subalpine" tree level, which includes aspens. 

The green, reddish, orangish and golden colors of the aspens at this altitude were absolutely incredible. I couldn't take enough pictures. But I did take enough to realize I don't need to go to Colorado to see the trees.

I had to leave Cedar Breaks fairly quickly because I couldn't breath at that altitude. But it was a great side trip, nonetheless.