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John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints |
A road leads to the National Monument from Utah State Road 95 (the Bicentennial Highway).
The loop road first passes Sipapu Bridge, then Kachina Bridge and finally Owachomo Bridge.
Because of the nature of the terrain, the overlooks close to the loop road near Sipapu Bridge and Kachina Bridge are well above each of the bridges, making it somewhat difficult to make them out, since you cannot see the sky showing on the other side. Because these two bridges are seen from some distance away they appear rather less impressive than they really are. To see these each of these bridges properly you need to take the steep and fairly lengthy trails down to them - a very strenuous but no doubt highly rewarding undertaking in the heat of summer.
The overlook for Owachomo Bridge is much lower and closer to the bridge, providing a much better view. A relatively shorter and rather steep trail leads from the parking area down to a point where you can see sky under the very impressive bridge - this is well worth the effort involved.
Sipapu Bridge is 220 feet high at its highest point, has a span of 268 feet, is 31 feet wide at its narrowest point, and is 53 feet thick at its thinnest point.
Kachina Bridge is 210 feet high at its highest point, has a span of 204 feet, is 44 feet wide at its narrowest point, and is 93 feet thick at its thinnest point.
Owachomo Bridge is 106 feet high at its highest point, has a span of 180 feet, is 27 feet wide at its narrowest point, and is only 9 feet thick at its thinnest point.
Whereas natural bridges are created by the erosion of the stream or river which runs under them, often at the narrowest point of a gooseneck. Arches and windows, such as those at Arches National Park, are created by other processes such as the effect of frost. However, these other processes enlarge and eventually destroy natural bridges once they have been formed. Some natural bridges may no longer have their original streams or river running under them today.
The bridges in Natural Bridges National Monument have all been carved from sandstone.
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Most recently modified 13-Aug-99; minor revisions 9-Jan-00