Nearby Things to See & Do - Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks - page 108

theater. The view here is reminiscent of Bryce Canyon's Queen's Garden, with its
stately statues frozen in time.
Sports & Activities
HIKING The fairly easy 2-mile round-trip Alpine Pond Nature Trail loop leads
through woodlands of bristlecone pines to a picturesque forest glade and a pond
surrounded by wildflowers, offering panoramic views of the amphitheater along
the way. A trail guide pamphlet is available at the trail head.
A somewhat more challenging hike, the 4-mile round-trip SpectraPoint/Ram-
partsOverlookTrail follows the rim more closely than the Alpine Pond Trail, of-
fering changing views of the colorful rock formations. It also takes you through
fields of wildflowers and by bristlecone pines that are more than 1,600 years old.
You'll need to be especially careful of your footing along the exposed cliff edges,
and allow yourself some time to rest—there are lots of ups and downs along the
way.
The 1-mile round-trip Campground Trail connects the campground with the
visitor center, providing views of the amphitheater along the way. It is the only
trail in the monument where pets are permitted.
There are no trails from the rim to the bottom of the amphitheater completely with-
in the monument, but there are trails just outside the monument that go into the
amphitheater. Check with the visitor center for details and directions.
The Summer Wildflowers of Cedar Breaks
During its brief summer season, Cedar Breaks makes the most of the warmth and moisture in the
air with a spectacular wildflower show. The rim comes alive in a blaze of color—truly a sight to be-
hold. The dazzling display begins practically as soon as the snow melts and reaches its peak in
mid-July. The annual 2-week Wildflower Festival, which celebrates the colorful display, starts the
weekend closest to Independence Day. Watch for mountain bluebells, spring beauty, beard tongue,
and fleabane early in the season; those beauties then make way for columbine, larkspur, Indian
paintbrush, wild roses, and other flowers.
WILDLIFE-WATCHING Because of its relative remoteness, Cedar Breaks is a good
place for spotting wildlife. You're likely to see mule deer grazing in the meadows
along the road early and late in the day. Marmots make their dens near the rim and
are often seen along the Spectra Point Trail. You'll spot ground squirrels, red squir-
rels, and chipmunks everywhere. Pikas, which are related to rabbits, are here, too,
but it's unlikely you'll see one. They're small, with short ears and stubby tails, and
prefer the high, rocky slopes.