Published in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association, this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated trailside reference describes more than 270 plants and animals plus geology of an area that includes nine national parks and monuments in the Southwest. A Naturalist's Guide to Canyon Country is the essential tool for exploring the northern Colorado Plateau, that vast province that encompasses eastern Utah, far western Colorado, and sections of northern Arizona and New Mexico. With this fully updated and revised guide in hand, you will gain a sympathetic understanding of the desert ecosystems that make up the region.

Published in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association, this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated trailside reference describes more than 270 plants and animals plus geology of an area that includes nine national parks and monuments in the Southwest. A Naturalist's Guide to Canyon Country is the essential tool for exploring the northern Colorado Plateau, that vast province that encompasses eastern Utah, far western Colorado, and sections of northern Arizona and New Mexico. With this fully updated and revised guide in hand, you will gain a sympathetic understanding of the desert ecosystems that make up the region.

Comprehensive and beautifully illustrated trailside refernce to plants, animals, and geology of an area that includes nine national parks and monuments

Published in cooperation with Canyonlands Natural History Association, this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated trailside reference describes more than 270 plants and animals plus geology of an area that includes nine national parks and monuments in the Southwest. A Naturalist's Guide to Canyon Country is the essential tool for exploring the northern Colorado Plateau, that vast province that encompasses eastern Utah, far western Colorado, and sections of northern Arizona and New Mexico. With this fully updated and revised guide in hand, you will gain a sympathetic understanding of the desert ecosystems that make up the region.

This vast rock desert in southeastern Utah showcases deep, colorful canyons, majestic natural monuments pictured in western movies, a fantasy land of towering pinnacles and slot canyons, rock arches and bridges, and breathtaking vistas atop mesas. Much can be seen by car, and more of this endlessly intriguing country is accessible by foot, mountain bike, four-wheel-drive vehicle, or watercraft. You do not have to be a geologist to enjoy or interpret the scenery, for the rocks easily divulge their stories of forming in seas or on land, in deserts or in deltas, in rivers or along beaches. What a fascinating heritage: dinosaurs once sauntered through lush lowlands leaving huge footprints in mud that has now turned to rock, vast sand dunes that drifted across the area are preserved as large sweeping lines in sandstone walls, and oceans that once covered this region left fossilized corals and seashells embedded in limestone. This guide introduces you to the rocks’ stories, to enhance your travels and your appreciation of the region. Along designated scenic byways, which are portrayed at the end of this pamphlet, look for the specific features described here and learn what their journey has been as you make yours. During your visit, tread lightly on this delicate land so that the pristine and unique landscape remains unchanged. Desert soils are extremely fragile; minimize your impact by staying on roads or marked trails.