Located in Washington, Iron and Kane Counties in Southwestern Utah, Zion National Park encompasses some of the most scenic canyon country in the United States. The park is characterized by high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep sandstone canyons and striking rock towers and mesas. Zion National Park is a showcase of geology. Geologic processes have played an important role in shaping Zion. The arid climate and sparse vegetation allow the exposure of large expanses of bare rock and reveal the park’s geologic history.
This year, Zion National Park will continue to keep popular climbing routes on cliffs used by nesting peregrine falcons open one month longer than in the past. These areas will remain open to climbing through February 28, 2009. They will close to climbing on March 1, 2009. The closing date is based on analysis of information collected from 2001-2008 regarding the peregrines’ arrival time to their nesting cliffs in the park.
LA Times Photos
National Park Service
more on nesting peregrine falcons
