Postcard from Kodachrome Basin – Little Yellowstone

Kodachrome Basin lies east and a little south of Bryce Canyon. It is also about 2,200 feet below that of Bryce. In the basin itself, there are places where you can actually see the cliffs of Bryce off in the distance (if you look on the right side of photo #1, that is Bryce way off in the distance). But, Kodachrome Basin’s landscape and origins are nothing like Bryce.

Kodachrome Basin contains many multi-colored rock formations of red, yellow, pink, white and brown, as well as massive sandstone chimney spires. Geologists believe Kodachrome Basin was once similar to Yellowstone National Park with hot springs and geysers, which eventually filled up with sediment and solidified. Through time, the Entrada sandstone surrounding the solidified geysers eroded, leaving large sand pipes (aka chimneys). Sixty-seven sand pipes ranging from two to 52 meters have been identified in the park.

How did the park get its name? In 1948 the National Geographic Society explored and photographed the area for a story that appeared in the September 1949 issue of National Geographic. They named the area Kodachrome Flat, after the then relatively new brand of Kodak film they used. In 1962 the area was designated a State Park. Fearing repercussions from the Kodak company for using the name Kodachrome, the name was changed to Chimney Rock State Park, but renamed Kodachrome Basin a few years later with Kodak's permission.

While the road to the park is paved, much of the park roads are not, but they are easily traversed. There are easy short hikes as well as longer more difficult hikes throughout the basin.

The morning I was there, the day started out clear, but by late morning and early afternoon, the clouds and thunderheads started to form, allowing for some wonderful photographs. It actually did rain later in the day, but by then I was back at my campsite in Red Canyon.

I enjoyed this little park very much and have many more interesting and unique photos…more than I can show here. I will endeavor to get the good ones up on my Web site soon and will let you know as soon as I do. Stay tuned.