Sunset View ~ Cedar Breaks National Monument

A definitive example of life elevated is the Cedar Breaks National Monument, which happens to be over 10,000 feet above sea level. The temperature in the two mile high range is usually 30ºF cooler than the elevations below the one mile levcel, so Cedar Breaks definitely is a place to beat the extreme heat of summer! On the flip-side, snow storms in the high elevations can delay the opening day for Cedar Breaks, so travel plans may have to be adjusted. The snow pack can be so deep on top of the mountain that  Cedar Breaks may not open till after the spring season is over. For this reason, it pays to do a little bit of research ahead of time to check on the conditions before setting sail. 

The photos of Cedar Breaks were taken in late May about two days after gates opened and there was still plenty of snow in the ground. Photos of the snow capped eroded red rock amphitheater canyon do add a dramatic visual effect that western landscape painters and photographers dream of capturing. The cool crisp mountain air is invigorating and the rapidly changing high altitude weather conditions makes Cedar Breaks an exciting place to experience. 

Cedar Breaks is a vast amphitheater canyon that was created by frost erosion over eons of time. The views of the bright red and orange color sandstone bluffs and hoodoos are nothing less than spectacular to see. The visual effect of the Cedar Breaks canyon can be described as a being a mountainside of exploding red cedar. The jagged sandstone rock formations sure do create a dramatic visual effect, especially when the long western sunset hours approach. 

There are three scenic overlooks at Cedar Breaks and there are hiking trails in the lower elevations of the Dixie National Forest that lead to the mouth of the canyon. The Point Supreme Overlook is located on the southwestern edge of the canyon, where unobstructed views of the red rock amphitheater with Brian Head Mountain in the background can be found. The Sunset View  overlook is located on the middle of the canyon rim, so the full spectacle of the exploding red cedar effect can be seen from this viewing area. Cedar Breaks looks like no other place on earth and it is very easy to spend hours gazing into this brilliantly colorful abyss!