Total Shots taken	165
Number of 5 star ratings (5* yield %)	10 (6.1%)

Day 1, and I realize I am out of my league. Just plain not fit for the task!

The rim of the Cedar Breaks National Monument is 10,000 feet above sea level, so if you are not used to the thin air, it might be a problem. And for me, it was a problem. As much as I wanted to explore the wonders of this natural amphitheater, I just didn’t have it in me to hike at that altitude, explore AND photograph. I hope you enjoy these 5* images from the side of the Cedar Breaks National Monument.

• In All Its Splendor (2) – This renowned amphitheater was formed by the erosion of the rocky mountainside, which 60 million years ago was the bottom of the geological feature, Lake Claron. The color striations result from the layers of shale, limestone, and sandstone deposited at the bottom of the aforementioned lake.

• View Thru The Trees – This view of the hoodoos shows their spectacular formations.

• Path To The Edge – That’s it – along the left side of this image — the winding path is the one I knew I didn’t have it in me to walk on Day 1. From my perch, I could see along the rim of the monument, but didn’t make it to the overlook.

• Hoodoos (3) – This was my first exposure to the hoodoos, and I loved seeing them. Despite the fact that they are formed in stone, they are still fragile. In fact. Many of the hoodoos in Cedar Breaks Monument have eroded away, and while I didn’t know it at the taking of this image, I would see much more spectacular in the days to come. Stay tuned.

This was my introduction to hoodoos. This was a re-introduction to the National Park System. While I had been to other facilities operated by the National Park System (e.g., Washington Monument, St. Louis Arch), this was my first visit to a mountainous park area.  Cedar Breaks National Monument was a fabulous reintroduction. Hope you enjoy these 5* images, and those to come.