Vermillion Cliffs National Monument (03-21-12) — Image by kenne
This remote and unspoiled 280,000-acre monument is a geologic treasure with some of the most spectacular trails and views in the world. The monument contains many diverse landscapes, including the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon. The monument borders Kaibab National Forest to the west and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east. The monument includes the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Elevations range from 3,100 to 7,100 feet. The monument is also home to a growing number of endangered California condors. Each year, condors hatched and raised in a captive breeding program are released in the monument. To visit the monument, you’ll need extra planning and awareness of potential hazards. Most roads need a high clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle due to deep sand.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument In Northern Arizona — Image by kenne
Take a leaf off a tree. Is it still a tree? Take a single twig off a tree. Is it still a tree? Remove an entire branch from a tree. Is it still a tree? Take off half of the branches. Is it still a tree? Cut down the whole tree, leaving only the stump. Is it still a tree? Many people would say no, it is no longer a tree, though the roots may still be in the ground. Well, where did the tree go? Removing a leaf, it remains a tree, but not by removing all of the branches and the trunk?
In the real world, there aren’t any things as we commonly think of them. A ‘thing’ as we refer to it is only a noun. A noun is merely an idea, a mental construct. These ‘things’ exist only in our minds. There is no tree, there is only the idea of a tree.
Coyote Buttes Panorama (April 2012) — Image by kenne
The Wave (March 2012) — Image by kenne
Coyote Buttes (March 2012) — Image by kenne
The first time I saw images of The Wave was in National Geographic some years ago and concluded if I every had a chance to go I would not pass it up. That chance came in March of 2012. The Wave and Coyote Buttes are located in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona. The hiking conditions in Vermillion Cliffs are harsh and can be very difficult depending on the weather. The trails are poorly marked, so it’s very easy to get lost. Our guide was a hiking friend from Tucson who had hiked the area several times before, so getting lost was not an issue. Click here to see more of my images in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument Located on the Colorado Plateau in Northern Arizona — Image by kenne
THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND words and music by Woody Guthrie
This land is your land, this land is my land From California, to the New York Island From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters This land was made for you and me
As I was walking a ribbon of highway I saw above me an endless skyway I saw below me a golden valley This land was made for you and me
I’ve roamed and rambled and I’ve followed my footsteps To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts And all around me a voice was sounding This land was made for you and me
The sun comes shining as I was strolling The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling The fog was lifting a voice come chanting This land was made for you and me
As I was walkin’ – I saw a sign there And that sign said – no tress passin’ But on the other side …. it didn’t say nothin! Now that side was made for you and me!
In the squares of the city – In the shadow of the steeple Near the relief office – I see my people And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’ If this land’s still made for you and me.
While hiking The Wave last month, I was not only taking photos, but also some video — from which I have created a trip video, “Hiking The Wave — Let’s Do It.” Enjoy!
When hiking in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument a couple of weeks ago, we only saw one wildflower along the trail. It is a beautiful, but desolate area. The soft nature of this plant was a welcome site as it was spotted near the end of out day long hike in the land of sand and sedimentary rocks.
We all know the story of the guy behind the camera — he/she is never in the picture. If you have visited this blog, you know that most of the last posts have included photos taken of our trip to the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, specifically to experience and photo The Wave. There are still some I will be sharing of our return hike to the trailhead.
As we were hiking back from The Wave, there was a couple that were in The Wave while we were there, setting out to return about the same time as we. As we hiked together on the return hike, we were asked if we would like a group photo — so I abided by giving her my camera, with a few basic instructions, of course. With my camera in hand, this woman suddenly became Susan Sontag. All I can say is that I’m glad my camera is digital, not film. Here’s a short video of her photos.
As promised in earlier posting on our trip the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Coyote Buttes and the Wave located there in, this is the posting that contains some of the seventy photos taken in the Wave. Admittedly, the colors vary because of lighting, as with any photo, but dramatically so when the colors in the Wave are so dramatic. I took over 250 images, which represent a photo treasure in which to return in the future.
Again, a big thank you to the group leader, Dean Perron and fellow hikers Susan Mayfield, Mary Frances Ruddick, Pat & Tom Markey. This was a hike of a lifetime!
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument — Panorama by kenne
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument In Northern Arizona — Image by kenne
Coyote Buttes Panorama (April 2012) — Image by kenne
The Wave (March 2012) — Image by kenne
Coyote Buttes (March 2012) — Image by kenne
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument Located on the Colorado Plateau in Northern Arizona — Image by kenne
For this land,
there must be
better leadership
for our tomorrows.
For this land,
there must be
protected lands
for the public.
For this land,
there must be
clean air
for the eagles to fly.
For this land,
there must be
protected heritage
for the Indians.
For this land,
there must be
sustainable development
for the desert west.
For this land,
there must be
environmental stewardship
for our children’s future.
For this land,
there must be
the union of
knowledge and wisdom.
— kenne
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