The Short Fall Season

A picture of trees changing color in the fall at Cedar Breaks National Monument.
A picture of trees changing color in the fall at Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Fall is relatively short at Cedar Breaks but offers just as much beauty as the summer. Fall starts around September and continues until mid-October to early November. Weather during this season, can range anywhere from low 70s to low 40s with days are mostly sunny with the occasional wind. Towards the end of the season, snow starts to fall in the park.

During the fall birds are a less common sight than in the summer because many have migrated to warmer climates. However, mammals such as the Pika and Elk, show themselves more often, since they love cold weather. Sometimes Elk can even be heard while in and near the park. Other mammals, such as bats, will most likely migrate when it gets cold following insects to warmer areas.

During the fall, there isn’t a lot of change to the plants in the park. Flowers will start to die off, but many of the trees continue to stay green throughout the year. Pine trees thrive in cold weather. A pine tree’s needles absorb heat, which help with the process of photosynthesis, which usually takes place in the spring. Quaking Aspen are the only tree that change color at Cedar Breaks. These trees are scattered throughout the park, but can be seen up close on the Alpine Loop Trail.

Even though it may not be as warm in the park as the summer, there is still a lot to see and do. Overlooks and trails are still accessible until winter weather conditions close the roads. Before coming to the park, please remember to plan your trip, check weather conditions, contact Cedar Breaks if you have questions, and most importantly stay safe and have fun!

 

Bibliogrpahy:

Brian Head, UT monthly weather forecast. The Weather Channel. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/Cedar+Breaks+National+Monument+UTNPCEBR:13:US

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Hibernate or migrate. National Parks Service. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from Hibernate or Migrate - Bats (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Species lists (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.nps.gov/im/ncpn/species-lists.htm

Last updated: September 21, 2022

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Mailing Address:

Cedar Breaks National Monument: Administrative Office
2460 West Highway 56 Suite #6

Cedar City, UT 84720

Phone:

(435) 986-7120

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