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Ponderosa Canyon Scenic Beauty October 12, 2023
A beautiful scenic view from Ponderosa Canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park of the cliffs below with forest decorated mountains and valley beyond to the horizon. Ponderosa Canyon is so named because of the huge Ponderosa Pines on the canyon floor. Some of these trees measure more than 5 ft. in diameter and exceed heights of 150 ft. However from high above at the viewpoint you would never know this. In fact many are confused by the name, not expecting to find themselves surrounded by a forest of Engelmann spruce and Douglas-fir. Certain types of vegetation grow in certain environments according to conditions such as moisture and temperature. These conditions are strongly controlled by elevation. Forests, therefore, are divided into zones or forest types according to elevation, because a forest's dominant tree species varies with these changes in elevation. The Bryce Canyon National Park (35,835 acres) lies on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in south central Utah. It is known for its unique "hoodoos" that are the largest collection in the world. The hoodoos reddish colored layer patterns and clusters are aesthetically appealing and visually striking. The national park also encompasses three forest types from the lowest elevations below the rim of the canyon to the upper elevations in the southernmost end of the park. At the bottom is the Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Belt, dominated by the Pinyon Pine and the Utah Juniper. The rim of the canyon in the northern end of the park is dominated by the Ponderosa Pine, and is thus classified as the Ponderosa Pine Forest. At the highest elevations, like at Ponderosa Point, Engelmann Spruce, Douglas-fir and White Fir are the most common tree species, indicative of a Mixed Conifer Forest. Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. National Park Service photo. Larger Image > Facebook | Flickr More U.S. National Parks Photos | U.S. National Park Service Americans | I Am An American! | We The People | America's Destiny | Give Thanks | Love and Pride of USA | National Will God and Country | One Nation Under God | America's Symbol | Old Glory | Hooray USA! | America, My Home! Our Valiant Troops | I Am The One | Answering The Call | Brave Young | Brave Blue | Our Heroes, America's Best Veterans | Citizens Like Us | Vietnam War Veterans | Spouses Serve Too Honoring The Fallen | Don't Weep For Me | Remember The Fallen | Tears For Your Fallen | Our Wounded |
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