the wandering chick
...Grand Staircase - Escalante Natl Monument
Five stairs of sedimentary rock
On Arizona's Highway 89a north of Jacob Lake is the Le Fevre Overlook. It offers wonderful views of the Grand Staircase in the far distance.
This is about a mile or two into the Cottonwood Canyon Road from Highway 89, the south end. It only gets better.
Kodachrome Basin State Park got its name in 1948 when a group of National Geographic explorers visited the area, naming it, obviously, because of the colors of kodachrome film that had just been released. The park has 67 spires, called pipes, that range from 6 to 170 feet tall. The park has a small gift shop, a campground, picnic tables and numerous hiking trails.
Had we started our day two hours earlier, we would have also been able to visit Bryce Canyon, which is very close to Kodachrome SP. But, because it gets dark so early, we headed back on the same road. Which wasn't bad....you get a whole new perspective from a different angle.

If you're interested, please check out more Utah locations.

 

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My travel partner and I both looked at this rock formation at the same time and saw some soft of creature, but we couldn't figure out exactly what it might be. We see short, curled horns, two eyes, two nostrils, a downcast mouth with an overbite and very puffy cheeks. That's some imagination, and if you see it, too, feel free to give it a name.
The Grosvener Arch is about a mile off the Cottonwood Canyon Road and is well marked. It's a splendid double arch named after Gilbert Grosvenor, a National Geographic Magazine editor.
A westerm bluebird spotted at Kodachrome Basin State Park
The Pariah River meanders for awhile alongside the canyon road.

For years I never understood exactly what the term "grand staircase -escalante" meant. I only knew it was another of Utah's magnificent land masses known for its remoteness and beauty. Now it all makes sense, especially after seeing the photos of the "staircase."

Grand Staircase refers to five layers of sedimentary rock in the form of plateaus and buttes that descend from Bryce Canyon in Utah to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. When viewed from a distance, the layers are distinct. They're also named, based on their color: The Chocolate Cliffs, the Vermilion Cliffs, the White Cliffs, the Gray Cliffs and the Pink Cliffs.

Due to their vastness, not all layers, or colors, can be seen in one area. But as one travels the distance between Bryce and the Grand Canyon, the rock colors become apparent.

The GSNME may be 1.9 million acres of wilderness, but scenic drives and hiking abilities abound. One such drive is the Cottonwood Canyon Road that travels 46 miles north-south between Bryce Canyon and Utah's Highway 89. That's where the photos on this page were taken, though we started at the south end, on Highway 89.

Escalante refers to the river that runs through the area, a tributary of the Colorado River that empties into nearby Lake Powell.

Please note these words of caution: If it's raining, or if there is any chance of rain, do not attempt to drive this route. The steepness and curves mixed with muddy conditions are extremely dangerous. Start out with a full tank of gas, and high-clearance vehicles are advised.