Colorado Plateau: Greatest Show of Earth
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- Overview of the Colorado Plateau, a large region in the Southwest U.S. that is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I discuss the geography and geology of this region and highlight some of the most beautiful spots on the plateau.
0:00 Intro
2:22 Grand Canyon
3:27 Zion
3:54 Bryce Canyon
5:05 Canyonlands
5:48 Arches
6:15 Mesa Verde
7:01 Petrified Forest
7:38 National Monuments and State Parks
10:26 Wrap-Up
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Geography King busting out some Geology for this one and we like it
Whenever I use geography or geology in a sentence I have to pause and think for a second which is which. Can’t blame -Geology- Geography King for getting them mixed up every now and then…
@@jcorkable (physical) Geography and geology absolutely overlap and are often in the same “geoscience” departments at colleges and universities.
Geography is primarily concerned with describing what’s on and the patterns on the surface of the planet, while geology is more focused on the planet he physical matter that makes the o the planet.
So for example in physical geography, we barely go into minerals/mineralogy, while geology doesn’t go into as much detail on physical landforms that can be mapped out.
Perhaps Kyle can do a video on the difference between the two fields.
@@bhg123ful I took some geology classes in college and I’ve been watching Geography King videos for years so I should definitely know the difference. But then my dyslexia kicks in and I can’t be sure which is which til I think geoGRAPHy=maps not rocks. It’s kinda embarrassing. I do the same thing with astronomy/astrology.
I like the idea for a video. In the early days of mapping out natural resources, I imagine the two fields were closely intertwined.
Geology rocks, but geography's where it's at!
@@bhg123ful If I remember it correctly, as this has been decades ago, at my university the geography department was like 10 times the size of ours and was way more popular with girls 😀
Amazing. I was just talking to my wife about visiting Iceland but then I watch one of your videos and realize how much of THIS country I still need to see!
Me and a good friend took a trip through southern Utah about 15 years ago. We camped at Bryce one night and some neighboring campers struck up a conversation. They were from the Netherlands, and I asked what part of Europe should I go see if I get the chance. The dad said to just come here, it's better than anything in Europe!
Iceland is amazing. It's like another planet. But so are the places mentioned here, especially southern Utah.
Funny that you mention Iceland because I'd say that my trips to both Iceland and Southern Utah are two of my favorites ever. From here on the East Coast, it actually takes less time to get to Iceland.
YES! There is so much here, especially in the southwest.
Exactly. Sometimes I feel left out that I haven't been to other countries, then I remember there's a thousand places in the US I still want to visit!
Lucky to call this show home
I'm calling the cops
I’m in SLC but glad I’m so close to be able to visit
@@Steveofthejungle8 I'm calling the cops
@Steveofthejungle8 For the 4th of July last summer, I drove from SLC to Capitol Reef and back in one day, haha. Took two short hikes, walked through the orchards, took a nap on the grass in the campgrounds, snapped a million pics . . . It was incredible. As a kid, my family went to Capitol Reef every single Labor Day. It's the most underrated park in the state, but sshhh, don't tell anyone.
I lived in Colorado for 17+ years (just recently moved east). I love the Colorado Plateau area. When I lived out there I took every opportunity to explore, camp, hike, even just drive through the area. I know a lot of people just see rocks and desolation (eg. my wife). I think it is beautiful, every scene, every view has a story.
Nice
YAY!! You took my request! You're the best, Kyle.
Greetings from the Colorado Plateau, gang. ✌️
EDIT: Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, UT, just west of Zion, is another beauty. You've seen it in a million car commercials, I promise. It was also heavily featured in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (in addition to several other spots Kyle mentioned, like the Kolob section of Zion).
Snow Canyon High School, class of '96! Right at the mouth of the canyon. With a climate very similar to Las Vegas, it was hard to make it to class some days. We'd go rock climbing in the park instead.
I grew up in Washington, UT. Also lived in St. George for a time. Lot's of childhood memories at Snow Canyon, Red Cliffs, Pine Valley, Kolob, etc. My grandmother lived in Escalante so we would make the trip back and forth through Zion and Red Canyon a lot and would camp on Boulder Mtn. Good times!
@@jazzcatjohn Nice! My first year of high school was at Pine View because SC was still being built. The road from Boulder to Escalante is so beautiful. I love Utah.
@@MikeP2055 Have you hiked to Calf Creek Falls between Boulder and Escalante? It would be a National Park in most states.
@@jazzcatjohn YES! I loved it!
Oh, yeah! I love Snow Canyon! It's almost as spectacular as the better known national parks, but nowhere near as crowded.
This area is a very important area for the Diné.
Dead Horse Point near Arches is the best view I have yet to experience.
Hell yeah grew up in central Utah and most my vacations are 3-6 hour road trips all over the Western US.
Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, Colorado is also worth visiting.
And Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Something very significant you missed. The Mogollon Rim in Arizona (southwestern rim of the Colorado plateau) stretches basically from the Flagstaff area to the New Mexico border. Storms that occur in the westerly flow aloft, spring bring significant rain and snowfall from late autumn until spring, as it has a perfect exposure for orographic lift. The result is the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world. The scenery below this rim is also spectacular including, but not limited to Sedona.
White Mountains here. Can confirm.
I can't believe that I was born in Iraq 33 years a go and have been here for 7. I've been to the all the places you mentioned.. except for Mesa Verde and Petrified Forrest.
This is a beautiful country and I hope people realize what they have.
Monument Valley was a childhood dream. When I made it there in 2021, I cried. It's my favorite place in the world.
Out of 16 National Parks I've been to, Canyonlands is my favorite. Absolute beauty... almost looks like Mars!
God is great!
Glad you realize what you have! Wish more of our fellow countrymen here could have the same attitude as you. New stuff to see and do around every bend. If you don’t like what you’re seeing or doing, drive a couple or a couple hundred miles and you’ll be in a totally different world. It really is a great country despite our faults. Glad you like it.
You’re just another stupid, asshole American like all of us now! Ain’t it great? Keep making America awesome and try and see it all, my friend.
Kyle! You hit the nail on the head again. This is my favorite part of the country, and I've visited maybe 80% of the places you mentioned. The only addition I would make is Canyon de Chelly as it's the heart of the Navajo Nation. Still, I can't believe how much in tune this channel is to my interests and values. Thanks, thanks, thanks!
Good call. Some of the areas around the edges are great too. For example, Hwy 60 through the Salt River canyon ENE of Phoenix is a little-known gem. Ditto I-15 through the Virgin River canyon in NW Arizona. Or I-17 north out of Phoenix, detour through Sedona, and climb the Mogollon Rim onto the Plateau - then continue north on 89. Humphrey's peak is prominent and dominates - particularly once you're north of it looking back. Further north it is kinda neat to see the cliffs rise in the distance and realize you're running up a broad flat valley. On a smaller scale, Chaco Canyon in NM is a fascinating place to camp and hike. Few people make the scramble up to Pueblo Alto on the rim. Fun stuff.
@@philipstaite4775 yes, agree, Salt River Canyon is pretty amazing! Also coming into Jerome over the mountain and seeing Sedona down below is very beautiful.
Canyon de Chelly is one of several canyons l really want to see. Also Antelope Canyon.
Moved to St. George, Utah in 2020. What a geographic wonderland, where Colorado Plateau, Mojave Desert and Great Basin merge (and without major earthquake risk)! A few featured areas in this video are just a day trip from here.
I live in La Verkin right near St. George! What a fantastic place! I wouldn’t want to live ANYWHERE else.
I live in Utah and this is one of my favorite places in the world because of the scenery.... The only thing we're missing is an ocean.
I live in Colorado and have been all over the plateau in both Colorado and Utah. The landforms are spectacular, and I never get tired of seeing them.
Truly the greatest show on Earth. One could spend months exploring there....
Going over this area reminds me of the epic vacation camping trip my family took in the late 60’s. We traveled and camped every state west of the Mississippi seeing and camping nearly every national park and forest. We took two weeks so it was a pretty rapid tour, but I got see and camp all the best of the west.
Painted desert resident here.
My property overlooks the park.
There are endless amounts of petrified wood here everywhere you look.
There's no need to worry about people taking it- there's so much it's not even particularly valuable.
My favorite part of my visit to Arizona!
Must be rough...
Kyle, you titled it correctly. We have visited most of this area and it is "The Greatest Show of Earth". Thanks for taking the time to do this video..
I explored the region in the 70's as a geology student, including backpacking in and out of the Grand Canyon, and in the 80's and 90's on family vacations. It's an area of the country every American should see if they get the chance. Hint: Before Memorial Day or after Labor Day if you can swing it. No crowds or hot weather.
Good advice. Also buy good hiking boots and use them a bunch of times before hitting the canyon. Also be in good-to-very good physical condition before attempting, for a safer and more enjoyable experience.
@@chasbodaniels1744 Also good advice. The Park Service spends a lot of effort hauling overambitious, under-conditioned hikers up from the depths. That's not even counting the idiots in flip flops.
I just got back from Zion and Bryce and started a deep dive into the Colorado plateau and like fate my main man Kyle hooks me up! This channel never disappoints.
Would love to see more of this type of video. Very neat look at this set of national parks on a larger scale
Colorado Monument is stunning.
Geography King I wish there were more UA-camrs like you
I was very lucky to call this place home, where I spent much of my time hiking, backpacking and river rafting
We live in San Jose ca now, but used ti live in Cortez, and could see
Sbiprock from the hill behind our house. Making me homesick! Such a magical but haunted place…
I really enjoyed this video! I went to the Colorado Plateau Parks earlier this year and the otherworldly landscapes blew me away as someone who lives in a very green area. Keep up the Great Work Kyle!
I just want to point out all the natural forests up on the mountainous parts of the plateau, north of Capital Reef, the La Sals, Mesa Verde. Some of the prettiest forests with the best fishing and hunting.
The Colorado National Monument with its unusual rock formations and the Four Corners National Monument are also notable features in the Colorado plateau.
You need to add mention of the northern edge of the uplift. The Colorado national monument on the west edge of Grand Junction . It’s canyons hold the largest collection of arches outside of arches national monument It contains dinosaur fossils. And beautiful vistas.
I really enjoyed this video! I road tripped through this area with my family for the first time in late 2021, and it’s one of those things that really has to be seen in person. Photos just don’t do it justice.
Babe wake up Geography King uploaded a new video
I've lived relatively close to the plateau for most my life. I would agree there's no place like this anywhere. Parts of it still blow my mind when I see it. Into the desert going into the great basin, you can find pieces of stalagmites and stalactites on the ground, as well as countless other gems and minerals. It's really cool.
Most of these places are in Utah. One more reason why I'm proud to call it home.
Yeah Utah has some of the best parks anywhere. Must just be mor-money for funding…
Hubby and I spent time traveling this area in our motorhome a few years ago. Thousands of pictures and wonderful memories. A lot of our conversation centered around the different rock layers. Thanks for going over this unique area!
Glad to hear that. I was wondering if this would be accessible to my RV.
@@BillGreenAZ There are campgrounds all over in that area, and we didn’t have any trouble at all. (We had a 32’ Class A with a toad.) There were a couple places where we ended up in small campgrounds with limited facilities, but for the most part it was one big RV park after another.
Enjoy! 🏞️
@@auntietara , excellent! Thanks for the feedback. I have a skoolie and plan to put a toad on back.
I've visited every state park in Utah and you definitely nailed some of the best. Cool to see Coral Pink Sand Dunes make the list. The one I'd add to this is Goosenecks State Park. Great video, thanks Kyle!
Goosenecks!!!!!!!!!!!
Goosenecks is so amazing. I also love the Moki Dugway road just north of there and of course Natural Bridges, all of which are pretty close by!
a wonderful area - i spent 3 months in south colorado and got to see many of these
I love the whole Four Corners redrock area. I've done many road trips through and around it, exploring nearly all of the parks, monuments, and recreation areas in the region.
We lived in Tucson for a couple of years back in the 1970s, and on vacations we explored a lot of the Four Corners area, including Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Bryce Canyon, Sedona, and of course Grand Canyon, among others. We even went to the actual Four Corners and took the obligatory picture with our hands and feet in each of the four states. Back then the National Parks were not nearly as crowded as they are today.
all my favorite parks! i've hiked Petrified Forest/painted desert, Canyonlands, Arches, drove south rim of Grand Canyon, checked out Meteor Crater AZ. there's just so much to see and explore out there. if I could live in the painted desert i would.
One of my favorite places! Love living close to this wonder in SLC!
Colorado reminds me of my country: Chile. I'm pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the state, not only the plateau. I hope one day I can visit it 😄
Learned a lot . Thanks ❤❤❤ from Buffalo New York
Saving this video for future travel plans, Gracias, Mr. Kyle.
I visited Zion Park in early March this year and snow had just fallen. The red rocks, green trees topped by new snow made for great pics and video. Go there!
Great video of my favorite area on earth. I've been there multiple times and can't wait to go back.
Thank you.
Nice, i live in southwest Colorado near Durango. I've lived all over the country and this area is my favorite I think.
Thanks, Kyle, for another great post.
Funny how most of the features of the Colorado Plateau are in Utah - but you pointed that out.
We visited the area in 2012. Our favorite spot was
the Toroweap Overlook on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Spectacular....and....scary!!!!
On our drive back to Utah, we got trapped in a rainstorm, drove off the road, and had to rescued by rangers from Mt. Trumbull.
They were very polite,😌 never told me that I had done something stupid.
God bless America.
BTW: only time in my life that I called 911! Uff-da!!!
Yes! , this place is remote!
My grandfather and I took a road trip through the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and Canyonlands when I was younger. It was a bit of a whistle stop tour, but I was utterly agape the entire drive. Jaw hit floor and didn't come back up until we got home.
There are a lot of incredibly beautiful places in the US and all over the world, but I haven't been to any one area that has had more natural beauty IMO.
Love the video, keep up the great work!
I was waiting for this video. This is my favorite part of the country.
This is the best region of the country by far for natural beauty
I did a road trip two and a half years ago starting from Pagosa Springs, to Horseshoe Bend, North Rim then South Rim of the Grand Canyon, down to Williams and east to Flagstaff and Petrified Woods National Park, and then back to Pagosa Springs.
Incredible. Why I moved to Colorado Springs so I am in striking distance of all these miracles.
I would absolutely live in those cliffside Pueblo dwellings
I visited almost all of these national parks as a kid. I didn’t realize they were all on the Colorado Plateau.
Hello from upstate New York, way up ,closer to Canada the nyc
Wow. This is so amazing. I only knew about Grand Canyone, all of them look astonishing. Thanks from Russia
What an amazing piece of geography we have here in the U.S.!! I've spent a considerable amount of time in this area of the states but wasn't aware of a lot of the characteristics you explained. Very very cool stuff! Thank you Kyle! 👊🏻🇺🇸
Incredible content yet again! I've never seen a geography channel make videos quite you, Kyle.
Thank you! That means a lot to me. I have a wide range of interest within geography so you'll never quite know what's next. I'll try to keep it interesting.
I used to live in Washington and took a lot of long road trips to this region on vacations. Eventually it just made sense to move to Arizona for better proximity. It is literally my favorite region to explore and I'm constantly finding new places to check out, as well as enjoying revisiting many spots. In June, I took the Burr Trail Road from Boulder, UT, to Lake Powell. This might be one of the top roads in all the country due the fact it goes through canyons, plateaus, Capitol Reef, and much more. An utter joy.
Just came back from a 2 week roadtrip, spending most of it on the Plateau, and you just drop this video... Would have helped with the prep (already used your other vids), but at least its a nice recap! 😁
Always got a kick out of "Table Mesa" just outside of the Golden, CO area (I'm sure there are others as well). Thanks Kyle!
Must be close to Sierra Mountain
@@GeographyKing There's probably a plethora of "aptly" named places that could make a fun vid.
I've been to the Petrified Forest before! I remember going there on the way from moving across the country from the west to the east coast.
Love this area of the country, I go spend a few days there annually. Absolutely stunning scenery that is unmatched. Thanks for highlighting it!
I know it's not a National Park or monument but I wished we saw a few photos of Sedona on the southern edge of the plateau. Beautiful country ❤️
Thank you for pointing this out. Once I discovered this area in 2019 I been traveling there ever since. It is one spectacular area to explore, hike & enjoy nature to the fullest.
My favorite region of the US. I would move there just to be close to the scenery. 😍
That is some beautiful country. Thanks for showing it to us.
Appreciate you sharing your enthusiasm and deep geologic knowledge. I have a trip long awaited trip covering the northern Arizona portion in October. Haven’t been for 30 years. In lieu of Mesa Verde, am going to visit the cliff dwellings at Canyon de Chelly. Looking forward to looking up the lesser known places you mentioned.
Amazing work as always. I visited Grand Canyon and Zion a while back but it seems there is just so much more out there to see in the area!
It's amazing how much I look forward to your videos - thanks!
One of your best yet! Thanks.
Breathtaking
Another stellar vid Kyle!
I love your work. Great job as usual.
Great stuff Kyle
Excellent, I have not seen anyone explain what is in this area more cogently and am saving this as the meta guidebook for when we visit.
Outstanding!
Thank you. This was beautiful and interesting 😊
Your videos are the best!
Great presentation... thank you!
That is some incredible footage. Thank you for showing and talking about these spots, as there's not much travel in my immediate future and certainly none that involves strenuous activity!
Stunning. Great video, thanks for sharing
you are so wholesome and smart, thanks for another great video!
Thank you Sir, brilliant 'expose'! Greetings from 'The mini-Geography-Classroom, The Isle of Man'!
This is amazing!!! Thank you!!! More geology please.
Another great video Kyle! Always enjoy your descriptions of the wonderful country you live in. Cheers from Canada!
excellent video! one of my favorite parts of the country and the world. You did a great overview. Many thanks!
Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for this view for the rest of us ;)
Wonderful. I know this land very well and can't get enough. Thanks!
This is a great video! I've been planning a road trip to Mesa Verde and this video gives me some great ideas of what else to check out in the surrounding area.
Kyle looks like a fan of wide brimmed hats
Accurate statement
These are my favorite types of videos on your channel, I love videos about natural scenery and national parks and such. God's creation is truly astounding.
Awesome! Live and explore it often!
Make more of these types of videos! Great job.
Wonderful!
SO beautiful.......love all your videos,Thanks!
Thank you!
Excellent and extremely informative video, Your Majesty! I like when you delve into these more esoteric subjects, and flex your geologic as well as your geographic brain! Cheers and please keep up the superior work!
When you posted this video I was current in Montrose, CO, middle of the plateau, on a month long road trip mostly through the southwest. Much of the studying I’ve done for this trip has actually been through your videos. I find your videos not just informative, but funny, especially with all the dad jokes. This trip that I’m on was partially inspired by you, so thank you. I’ll be watching and continuing to suggest your videos to others. Cheers for all the help! From one Kyle to another👌
Quality content, Kyle
Wow- fantastic video! A friend just returned from this area and tried to explain how beautiful and majestic it is, this vid shows it better than the many pictures he took! I must see it for myself, thank you.
I had the amazing trekking experience in 2001 in Escalante - it was amazing! Soooo pristine. It had just opened up if memory serves or something was special about us trekking around in there. Our guide took us to a couple of archeological sites where I believe the Fremont people lived and we saw petroglyphs. Mostly, coming from San Francisco, I was awed with the pristine beauty. And I loved walking on the sandstone- that song by the Police Walking on the Moon kept going thru my head, for whatever reasons. It was amazing. Just two or three weeks after 9/11. I was driving there and the planes were still not flying. While we were there, we saw the first planes let up in the air after the event. Anyway, 5 nights out there- I was super refreshed after it.