Field Journal

The red rock canyon country of southern Utah is unlike anywhere else on earth. Ancient sandstone walls rise in shades of burnt sienna, rust, and deep crimson — carved by wind and water over millions of years into fins, arches, and slot canyons. In spring, the desert floor comes alive with wildflowers against that impossible red backdrop, and the light at golden hour turns the cliffs molten. This trip explores the landscape and wildlife of the region, from the towering walls of Zion to the open mesas and hidden washes of the Colorado Plateau.