Hike the Spectra Point and Rampart Overlook Trails

Started the hike at the visitor center. The walk is fairly level and there is not much altitude gain. There are very good views of the park and in the summer there is a profusion of wildflowers. At the beginning of the trail the different wildflowers are labeled. 

To call this place "breathtaking" would not do it justice. The rusty red, orange, purple colors of million-year-old rock erosion are otherworldly, something you'd imagine on Mars. The Indians named Cedar Breaks the "Circle of Painted Cliffs," and when you see this brilliantly colored coliseum you will understand why. For photographers and nature-lovers alike, this is your spot.THE TRAIL:Rampart...

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a gorgeous multi-colored limestone amphitheater that many consider to be more beautiful than Bryce Canyon National Park given its greater depth over a shorter distance and higher elevation. It is far less traveled than its neighbors of Zion and Bryce. The Sunset Trail is a recently-built, 1-mile (2-mile out-and-back) trail that runs along the eastern rim of the...

Drive to the peak on county road 47 to the parking area. Hike around the peak and admire the beautiful views of the mountains and the resort below. Be sure to take pictures of the abundant wildflowers around the peak. The drive to the peak is very scenic.

Hiked the cascades trail from the parking lot through a forest of spruce trees and many interesting wildflowers.  The trail has good views of the National Forest and Zion National Park in the distance. The trail has some elevation gain but not too bad. The waterfall is rather small but a refreshing sight in the desert. 

Hoodoo's are unique rock formations formed over many years by erosion.  In this region, the hoodoos are formed through a process called frost wedging.  This is the process of repeated freeze thaw cycles.  As snow melts the water seeps between the cracks in the rocks then freezes at night when the temperatures drop.  The water expands as it freezes slowly widening the cracks.  This region can ha...