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Places, Earth |
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Throughout the country, state parks, historic sites, homes, buildings, museums, and similar institutions are struggling to continue operating. Because of general financial problems, many of these institutions are operating on a reduced schedule or in danger of closing. Some are being forced to sell off artifacts and property. Many will not weather these hard times without your help. Places Earth urges everyone to support these vital and important public resources any way you can. Please donate your treasure, time, and talent. Write to your governor and other elected officials telling them to find a way to keep state parks open. It will be your loss. Public Service Announcement | Test space for future ad if donations don't increase. |
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Natural Bridges National Monument
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2008 - 2012.|
Natural Bridges National Monument is small by Utah standards, but contains three natural bridges within easy reach. The bridges were formed when a winding river cut a canyon. In time, some of the houseshoe bends connected before the wall above could erode away, leaving these short tunnels through the rock. The difference between an arch and a bridge is that an arch was carved by wind and errosion without the aid of the river, while a bridge actually has water flowing under. Technically one of the bridges has become an arch because the river cut a new path bypassing it, leaving Owachomo Bridge above and beside the river. A Bridge View Drive allows easy access to view points and trails allow a closer look. The Loop Trail connects to Bridge View Drive at Sipapu Bridge and Owachomo Bridge and follows the river past all three bridges while a trail at Kachina Bridge connects the mid-point of the Loop Trail to Bridge View Drive. A short side trail allows views of Horsecollar Ruins, a cliff dwelling in one of the small side canyons. Sipapu Bridge is the second largest natural bridge in the world, second only to Rainbow Bridge in Glen Canyon a few hundred miles away. In Hopi mythology, sipspu is a gateway through which souls may pass to the spirit world. The trail to Pipapu Bridge is the speedest in the park requiering stairs nad ladders. Kachina Bridge is thought to be the youngest of the three. It is often missed when first viewed fro mthe overlook because of its size, orientation, and camoflage, then suddenly pops into view. Ther is a pile of bolders at the far end resultng from a 4,000 ton rock fall in June 1992. Kachina dancers play a central role in Hopi religious tradition. Owachomo Bridge seems to be the oldest of the three. The Tuwa creek no longer flows under and its delicate structure suggests age. The Owachomo Bridge trail may be the easiest of the three and leads to the Loop Trail at the water's edge. Owachomo means "rock mound" in Hopi and the bridge takes its name from a rock formation on top of the southeast end. At the edge of White Canyon can be seen Horsecollar Ruins with two granaries. Each granaries has a door shaped like a horsecollar, hence the name. Adjacent to the granaries is a kiva. A Visitor Center near the park entrance provides information about the bridges and services. The Monument occupies a section of Cedar Mesa at 6,500 feet above sea level. From several places around the park, The Bear's Ears can be seen. These are twin buttes on the near horizon. The original road into the park passed between these buttes ending at the old Visitor Center opposite Owachomo Bridge. The park has the distinction of being solar powered. A photovoltaic array covering an acre of land near the Visitor Center produces up to 50 kilowatts of power to provide electricity for the small housing area, visitor center and other facilities. The park is open year-round. The Visitor Center is open daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Extended hours in summer. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. Natural Bridge National Monument is easily reached by a short drive (UT 275) off Highway 95. The park is 38 miles west of Blaning, Utah. |
 | Entry sign. |
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| The road into the park once passed between the 'Bear Ears'. | |
 White Canyon. |
 Sipapu Bridge, the first bridge on the loop. |
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| Sipapu Bridge. | |
 Near Sipapu Bridge. |
 White Canyon. |
 Sign near cliff edge warning to stay away during electrical stormes. |
 White Canyon. |
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| Anasazi cliff dwellings in White Canyon. | |
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| Anasazi cliff dwellings in White Canyon. | |
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| The name, Horsecollar Ruins, derived from the hoursecollar shaped entrances to the twin granaries at right in left image. | |
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| Horsecollar Ruins. | |
 Canyon near Horsecollar. |
 Trail Horsecollar Ruins. |
 Rounded rock atop one of the meanders. |
 The river that carved two of the three bridges. |
 Cactus flower. |
 Vegetation and puddle at the top of a cliff. |
 vegetation. |
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| Kachina Bridge. On the left side, Armstrong Canyon joins with White Canyon. | |
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| Near Kachina Bridge. | |
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| Kachina Bridge. | |
 Near Kachina Bridge. |
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| Kachina Bridge. | |
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| Owachomo Bridge is the easiest to reach. | |
 Near Owachomo Bridge. |
 Owachomo Bridge. |
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| Owachomo Bridge. | |
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| Owachomo Bridge. | |
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| Owachomo Bridge. | |
| Owachomo Bridge. |
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| Below Owachomo Bridge, looking up. | |
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| The new river bank on the other side of the Owachomo Bridge. | |
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| Because the river shifted from below the bridge, it is technically now an arch. | |
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| The back side of the arch. From the road turn-off, the trail leads under the arch to the new river bed. | |
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| The back side of the Owachomo Bridge from the side of the river. | |
 The Owachomo Bridge trail. |
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| San Juan County Main Page |
This page last updated: Sunday, 29-Aug-2010 00:26:03 EDT
| Note: This is not the official site for any of the places shown in Places Earth. Places Earth is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, exhibits, and sometimes locations are subject to change without notice. |
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This web site started because of my love for Architecture and interest in History. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. I don't allow paid advertising. This site is supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer and there haven' been many this year. I sell art at www.klimages.com. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ... | ||
 You can buy candles from my wife. |
 Or donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page. |
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This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson. Copyright © 2004 - 2012, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved. Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website. |
| This site is a non-commercial alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com. |
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