Editing Cedar Breaks National Monument

{{Short description|National monument in Iron County, Utah, United States}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Cedar Breaks  National Monument
| iucn_category = V
| photo = Utah, Cedar Breaks National Monument, amphitheater.jpg
| photo_caption = Cedar Breaks amphitheater
| map = Utah#USA
| relief = 1
| coordinates = {{Coord|37.6424776|-112.8488318|format=dms|display=inline, title}}
| location = [[Iron County, Utah|Iron County]], [[Utah]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| area_acre = 6155
| area_ref = <ref name="area">{{NPS area |year=2011 |accessdate=2012-12-30}}</ref>
| created = {{Start date|1933|08|22}}
| visitation_num = 688,644
| visitation_year = 2022
| visitation_ref = <ref>{{NPS Visitation|access-date=October 16, 2023}}</ref>
| governing_body =  [[National Park Service]]
| website = [https://www.nps.gov/cebr Cedar Breaks National Monument]
}}
'''Cedar Breaks National Monument''' is a [[U.S. National Monument]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Utah]] near [[Cedar City, Utah|Cedar City]]. Cedar Breaks is a natural [[amphitheater]], stretching across {{convert|3|mi}}, with a depth of over {{convert|2000|ft}}. The elevation of the rim of the amphitheater is over {{convert|10000|ft}} above [[sea level]].  Rising above the rim is the prominent [[Brian Head (mountain)|Brian Head]], the peak of which lies a short distance outside of the National Monument boundary.

The rock of the amphitheater is more eroded than, but otherwise similar to, formations at nearby [[Bryce Canyon National Park]], Red Canyon in [[Dixie National Forest]], and select areas of Cedar Mountain (SR-14). Because of its elevation, snow often makes parts of the park inaccessible to vehicles from October through May. Its rim visitor center is open from June through October. Several hundred thousand people visit the monument annually. The monument area is the headwaters of [[Mammoth Creek (Utah)|Mammoth Creek]], a tributary of the [[Sevier River]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=http://www.sevierriver.org/about/faq/ |publisher=SevierRiver.org |access-date=2010-10-26}}</ref>

== Flora and fauna ==
Wildlife can often be seen in this high-altitude setting. [[Mule deer]] and [[porcupine]]s are common, as are rodents and similar animals such as [[marmot]]s, [[golden-mantled ground squirrel]]s, [[pocket gopher]]s, and [[chipmunk]]s. [[Mountain lion]]s and other larger animals live in the area but are seldom seen. Common birds include the [[Clark's nutcracker]], [[violet-green swallow]]s, and the [[common raven]].<ref>{{cite web| url =https://www.nps.gov/cebr/learn/nature/animals.htm| title = Cedar Breaks National Monument - Animals|publisher = National Park Service|access-date = 2018-05-02 }}</ref>

[[Image:cedar breaks-flower2.JPG|thumb|upright|left|A [[Delphinium|Larkspur]] wildflower near the rim of Cedar Breaks.]]

The [[bristlecone pine]], a species of tree that is known as the longest living single organism, can also be found in the high country, with some local specimens known to be more than 1600 years old. Subalpine meadows dot the canyon rim in such areas as Alpine Pond, which is an easy hike from the road along a clear trail. [[Aspen]], [[Engelmann spruce]], [[subalpine fir]] trees, and [[limber pine]] also grow here.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nps.gov/cebr/learn/nature/treesandshrubs.htm| title = Cedar Breaks National Monument - Trees and Shrubs| publisher = National Park Service| access-date = 2018-05-02}}</ref>

Spring begins in June at this elevation, when wildflowers cover the canyon rim. Wildflowers bloom all during the short growing season, and visitors can enjoy [[Aquilegia coerulea|Colorado columbine]], [[Castilleja miniata|scarlet paintbrush]], [[Delphinium occidentale|subalpine larkspur]], [[Dodecatheon pulchellum|pretty shooting star]], [[Dugaldia hoopesii|orange sneezeweed]], [https://www.nps.gov/cebr/learn/nature/panguitch-buckwheat.htm Panguitch buckwheat], [[Geum triflorum|prairie smoke]], [[Lupinus argenteus|silvery lupin]], [[Oenothera flava|yellow evening primrose]], [[Potentilla fruticosa|shrubby cinquefoil]], [[Primula parryi|Parry primrose]], [[Ranunculus alismifolius|plantainleaf buttercup]], and two species of ''[[Penstemon]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/cebr/wildflowers.htm |title=Cedar Breaks National Monument - Wildflowers |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref>

== History and geology ==
[[Image:Cedar Breaks National Monument partially.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[hoodoo (geology)|Hoodoos]] in Cedar Breaks]]

The amphitheater, located near the west end of the [[Colorado Plateau]], covers the west side of the [[Markagunt Plateau]], the same plateau that forms parts of [[Zion National Park]]. Uplift and erosion formed the canyon over millions of years, raising and then wearing away the [[shale]], [[limestone]], and [[sandstone]] that were deposited at the bottom of an ancient lake {{convert|70|x|250|mi}}, known as [[Claron Formation|Lake Claron]], about 60 million years ago. It continues to erode at a pace of about {{convert|2|in|-1}} every 5 years. Atop the plateau, much of the area is covered by volcanic rock known as [[tuff]], formed during cataclysmic eruptions around 35 million years ago.<ref name=NPSGeology>{{cite web| url =https://www.nps.gov/cebr/learn/nature/geologicformations.htm| title = Cedar Breaks National Monument - Geologic Formations| publisher = National Park Service|access-date = 2018-05-02}}</ref>

The rocks of the eroded canyon contain [[iron]] and [[manganese]] in various combinations, providing brilliant colors that led Indians to call it the ''Circle of Painted Cliffs''.  Iron oxides provide the reds, oranges and yellows, while manganese oxides provide shades of purple. The color of the rock is soft and subtle compared to the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon.

The area is a form of [[badlands]]&mdash;canyons, spires, walls, and cliffs so steep and confusing that the land, while of great aesthetic value, is of little utilitarian worth. Early settlers called them ''badlands'' or ''breaks'' and created the current name by combining ''breaks'' with ''cedar'' for the many [[juniper]] trees (often incorrectly called [[cedrus|cedars]]) that grow in the area.

Cedar Breaks National Monument was established in 1933. A small lodge designed by [[Gilbert Stanley Underwood]] and built and operated by the [[Utah Parks Company]] once existed near the south end of the monument, but it was razed in 1972. The Cedar Breaks Lodge was the smallest of the park lodges in the Southwest. It was deemed "uneconomical to operate" by the Park Service, but protests associated with its demolition caused the Park Service to re-examine its policies concerning lodges in other parks, contributing to their preservation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/cebr/learn/historyculture/cedar-breaks-historic-lodge.htm|title=Cedar Breaks Historic Lodge|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2018-05-02}}</ref>

==Climate==

According to the [[Köppen climate classification]], the area has a dry-summer [[subalpine climate]] (''Dsc'').

{{Weather box
|location = Blowhard Mountain Radar, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, 1964-2020 extremes: 10694ft (3260m)
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 55
|Feb record high F = 54
|Mar record high F = 65
|Apr record high F = 65
|May record high F = 79
|Jun record high F = 80
|Jul record high F = 90
|Aug record high F = 82
|Sep record high F = 75
|Oct record high F = 74
|Nov record high F = 63
|Dec record high F = 54
|year record high F =

|Jan high F = 31.1
|Feb high F = 31.1
|Mar high F = 34.5
|Apr high F = 38.1
|May high F = 46.8
|Jun high F = 60.3
|Jul high F = 67.6
|Aug high F = 66.1
|Sep high F = 57.8
|Oct high F = 47.8
|Nov high F = 38.1
|Dec high F = 29.7
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 22.7
|Feb mean F = 24.2
|Mar mean F = 27.5
|Apr mean F = 30.4
|May mean F = 39.7
|Jun mean F = 50.9
|Jul mean F = 59.2
|Aug mean F = 56.9
|Sep mean F = 49.9
|Oct mean F = 39.6
|Nov mean F = 29.7
|Dec mean F = 22.3
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 14.3
|Feb low F = 17.4
|Mar low F = 20.4
|Apr low F = 22.7
|May low F = 32.5
|Jun low F = 41.5
|Jul low F = 50.8
|Aug low F = 47.8
|Sep low F = 42.0
|Oct low F = 31.5
|Nov low F = 21.2
|Dec low F = 14.8
|year low F =

|Jan record low F = −20
|Feb record low F = −18
|Mar record low F = −13
|Apr record low F = -4
|May record low F = -1
|Jun record low F = 16
|Jul record low F = 29
|Aug record low F = 23
|Sep record low F = 13
|Oct record low F = -3
|Nov record low F = -11
|Dec record low F = −23
|year record low F =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.87
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.55
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.07
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.55
|May precipitation inch = 1.46
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.70
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.56
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.76
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.76
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.05
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.46
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.52
|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 37.50
|Feb snow inch = 40.10
|Mar snow inch = 44.60
|Apr snow inch = 28.10
|May snow inch = 11.70
|Jun snow inch = 3.40
|Jul snow inch = 0.00
|Aug snow inch = 0.00
|Sep snow inch = 2.00
|Oct snow inch = 15.70
|Nov snow inch = 30.90
|Dec snow inch = 32.60
|year snow inch =

|source 1 = NOAA (1981-2010 precipitation & snowfall)<ref name = NOAA1>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00420757&format=pdf
|title = Blowhard Mountain Radar, Utah 1991-2020 Monthly Normals 
|access-date = November 14, 2023
}}
</ref><ref name = NOAA2>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00420757&format=pdf
|title = Blowhard Mountain Radar, Utah 1981-2010 Monthly Normals 
|access-date = November 14, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = XMACIS2 (records & monthly max/mins)<ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS
|access-date = November 14, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

== Attractions ==
There are two well-advertised [[hiking]] trails in the monument, and a campsite near the canyon rim. Trails<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mailing Address |first1=Cedar Breaks National Monument: Administrative Office 2460 West Highway 56 Suite #6 Cedar City |last2=UT |first2=84720 Phone:435-986-7120 |title=Hike a Trail - Cedar Breaks National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/cebr/planyourvisit/hike-a-trail.htm |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref> range from .6 to 5 miles from easy to moderately strenuous.

== National park proposal ==
In 2006, [[Iron County, Utah|Iron County]] officials considered a proposal for legislation to expand the monument and rename it Cedar Breaks National Park.  The new park would include the adjacent [[Ashdown Gorge Wilderness]], some private land and nearby Flanigan Arch.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3603213&itype=NGPSID| title = Cedar Breaks might become national park| publisher = [[Salt Lake Tribune]]| access-date = 2008-09-23|date=2006-03-15}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery caption="Cedar Breaks" widths="140px" heights="160px" perrow="4">

Image:Cedar Breaks, panoramic view from the canyon rim.jpg | Panoramic view from the canyon rim
Image:Cedar breaks NM.JPG | View from the canyon rim.
Image:Cebr view northeast.jpg | Cedar Breaks looking northeast from the canyon rim.
Image:Cedar breaks Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel.JPG|[[Golden-mantled ground squirrel]] on the [[limestone]] canyon rim
Image:CedarBrVisitorCenter wb.jpg | The canyon-rim visitor center at {{convert|10350|ft}} is open 5 months of the year.
Image:Cedar breaks NM-Point Supreme.JPG | Point Supreme
Image:Cedar-breaks.jpg | Cloudy day in September 2008
Image:Cedar Breaks Panorama.jpg | Panorama of Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Image:Cedar Breaks Panorama 1.jpg | Panoramic view of Cedar Breaks National Monument to the north during sunset.
Image:Cedar_Breaks_from_Point_Supreme_at_sunset.jpg | Cedar Breaks from Point Supreme at sunset
Image:Hoodoos_at_Cedar_Breaks_at_sunset.jpg| Hoodoos at Cedar Breaks from Point Supreme at sunset

</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[List of national monuments of the United States]]
* [[Panguitch Lake]]
* [[Dixie National Forest]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}
* Cedar Breaks 1987 park brochure
* Alpine Trail brochure
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Cedar Breaks National Monument}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [http://www.nps.gov/cebr/ NPS: official '''Cedar Breaks National Monument''' website]

{{Clear}}
{{UT Parks}}
{{National Monuments of the United States}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cedar Breaks National Monument| ]]
[[Category:Rock formations of Utah]]
[[Category:Landforms of Iron County, Utah]]
[[Category:Badlands of the United States]]