Sunrise, Zion and Prickly Pear Cactus
A prickly pear cactus sits at the base of several large peaks in Zion National Park, Utah,  which are lit by the rising sun. At left is the West Temple (7,810 feet), next to it is the Sundial (7,590 feet),  and at right is the Altar of Sacrifice (7,505 feet).

Towers of the Virgin, Zion National Park, Utah
The peaks that comprise the Towers of the Virgin in Zion National Park, Utah, are illuminated by alpenglow, about a half hour before sunrise. The peaks, including the West Temple, Sundial and Altar of Sacrifice, all rise more than 3,500 feet from the Zion Canyon valley floor.

Zion Peaks Framed by Tree, Alpenglow, Zion National Park
Several prominent peaks in Zion National Park, Utah, including the Towers of the Virgin, are lit by alpenglow about a half hour before sunrise. The peaks, from left-to-right: The Watchman, The West Temple, The Sundial, The Altar of Sacrifice, The Sentinel, The Streaked Wall, and the East Temple.

Kolob Canyons, Sunset
The Kolob Canyons, reddened by the setting sun, stand tall above this valley in Zion National Park, Utah.

Kolob Canyons
The Kolob Canyons are a series of dramatic "finger canyons" in the northwestern corner of Zion National Park, Utah. Millions of years of erosion have left several towering formations with just narrow canyons between them.

Kolob Canyons Panorama, Zion National Park, Utah
The Kolob Canyons of Zion National Park, Utah, are turned golden red by the setting sun in this panoramic view.

Bent Tree on Sandstone
A severely bent juniper tree grows from the top of a sandstone hoodoo in Zion National Park, Utah.

Bent Tree, Light Sandstone, Zion National Park, Utah
A bent pine tree, growing from near the top of a red sandstone pillar, stands out from the cream-colored sandstone on the other side of the canyon.

Bent Tree, Vertical Image, Zion National Park, Utah
A twisted and bent pine tree grows from the top of a red sandstone pillar in Zion National Park, Utah.

Cottonwood Trees, Zion National Park #1
Several golden cottonwood trees display their fall colors above the Lower Emerald Pool in Zion National Park, Utah.

Cottonwood Trees, Zion National Park #2
Cottonwood trees, displaying their full fall colors, grow along the Virgin River in Zion National Park, Utah.

Cottonwood Tree, Virgin River, Zion National Park
The Virgin River flows by a golden cottonwood tree in Zion National Park, Utah.

The Pulpit, Zion National Park
A bent cottonwood tree frames the Pulpit, located near the Temple of Sinawava in Zion National Park, Utah.

Pine Root on Rock
The root system of a weathered pine tree grew to cover this rock surface in Zion National Park, Utah.

Fall Color: Virgin River Bend, Zion National Park
Fall color begins to show in the colorful trees that line this bend in the Virgin River, Zion National Park, Utah.

Tree Holding Back Rocks, Zion National Park
This cottonwood tree began growing between several large boulders that fell from a hillside above the Virgin River in Zion National Park, Utah. Now, it appears to be holding back the rocks.

Ice in Pine Creek, Zion National Park
A few blades of grass trap winter ice from floating down Pine Creek in Zion National Park, Utah. The Streaked Wall, reddened by the sunrise is reflected in the waters.