Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a dramatic, multi-hued landscape that is rich in natural and human history. Extending across 1.9 million acres (more than 3,000 square miles of Utah public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management), the Monument represents a unique combination of archaeological, historical, paleontological, geological  and biological resources. These strikingly beautiful and scientifically important lands are divided into three distinct regions:  the Grand Staircase, the Kaipa-rowits Plateau and the Canyons of the Escalante.

The “Grand Staircase” is a series of great geological steps – the Chocolate, Vermilion, White, Gray, and Pink Cliffs that ascend northward across the southwest corner of the Monument and span five different life zones, from So-noran desert to coniferous forests.

The Kaiparowits Plateau towers above the surrounding canyonlands. The isolated, rugged plateau is a refuge for wildlife, rare plants and a few adven-ture-ready individuals equipped to handle profound solitude and uncompro-mising wild country. “Kaiparowits” is a Paiute name meaning “Big Mountain’s Little Brother.”

The Canyons of the Escalante are wonders in water and stone. The Escalante River cascades off the southern flank of the Aquarius Plateau, winding through a 1,000-mile maze of interconnected canyons. This magical labyrinth is one of the scenic wonders of the West.

GSENM offers an impressive array of educational, recreational, and other multiple-use opportunities for visitors, young and old alike, to enjoy. For detailed information, visit the website at www.ut.blm.gov/monument .

Stop by the visitor centers located in Big Water, Kanab, Cannonville and Escalante to get the latest reports on road and weather conditions.

Please keep in mind that Arizona does not observe daylight savings time and will be an hour earlier than Utah in the Spring and Summer months.