Cedar Breaks

I've been consistently visiting Cedar Breaks at least once a year for the past several years. I find this canyon breathtaking. It's a lot like Bryce, but in many ways it's its own canyon. Kevin and I decided to do a little hiking down the rim of the trail to the Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook, about 4 miles round trip. This is a relatively easy, well-marked trail, and the scenery is gorgeous as we walked through pine forests almost always in sight of the gaping canyon. My only disappointment was that after walking in about 1/3 to 1/2 mile, we were within easy distance and view of the highway. After that, the trail takes a turn toward the canyon and leads out to Spectra point, providing a clear view of the canyon, Cedar Mountian, and in the distance Cedar City. Still remaining on the rim, the trail to Ramparts Overlook heads into a beautiful strand of pine trees, including bristlecones. It takes a decline through this forest out to a dry desert point, where even the twisted trees struggle to produce green needles.