Chimney Rock, tallest of the “pipes” of sedimentary rock at Kodachrome State Park. We visited the Park on a perfect day…bright blue sky, punctuated with puffy white clouds.
APRIL 19, 2014
DAY TRIP TO KODACHROME. Kodachrome Basin State Park is just a short drive from Cannonville, where our campground is located…part of the scenic Bryce Valley. Best known for the 67 towering sand pipes that dominate the desert landscape, this colorful park has a well-deserved reputation as a photographer’s paradise. In fact, the multi-colored monoliths nestled beneath brilliant blue skies inspired National Geographic Society photographers to nickname the area Kodachrome Flat during a 1948 photography expedition. Although the park was initially named Chimney Rock State Park in 1962, the Kodak Corporation later gave permission to use the name of its popular brand of film, and the park was officially renamed Kodachrome Basin State Park.
UNIQUE LANDSCAPE. Kodachrome Basin State Park’s unique landscape once resembled that of Yellowstone National Park. The sand pipes, or chimney rocks, are believed to be remnants of solidified sediment that filled the ancient geysers that dominated the landscape. Red, brown, white, and yellow layers of sediment became exposed as outer layers of Entrada sandstone eroded. Today, these multi-colored sand pipes range in height from six feet to 170 feet, and the colors seem ever-changing with the day’s shifting light and shadows.
No, I didn’t go off-road here. There are plenty of places where it’s permitted.
There are lots of cattle ranches in the area.
These cows made lots of noise when we stopped. I guess they hoped we were there to feed them. Cow number 35 was really hopeful! (Click on the picture to see.)
