Great news for explorers. Bryce Canyon National Park has reopened the popular Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop Trail, which was closed back in April 2010 due to falling rocks.

"Wall Street," as it is called by park rangers, takes visitors through a narrow passage between towering rock fins and centuries-old Douglas fir trees. According to the National Park Service, rock falls are part of the natural geological processes that shape the famous and colorful spires called hoodoos.

How Hoodoos Are Shaped By Nature.

These amazing spires were created by a process known as frost wedging. Water seeps into the cracks in the rock during the day and then freezes during the night. As the frozen water expands, it causes cracks in these monolithic-like structures that, from below, resemble roofless caves.

Surprisingly, this process happens regularly in Bryce Canyon. With an elevation of 8,000 feet on average, the canyon experiences 200 days of freeze/thaw cycles each year. (The entire area is significantly cooler than Las Vegas.)

Another part of the process is caused by chemical weathering, which is responsible for the rounding effect. Basically, when rain combines with carbon dioxide, it creates a weak acid that erodes the soft limestone. Eventually, this process will dissolve the entire formation (but fortunately, not for hundreds and hundreds of years). The average rate of erosion is calculated at 2-4 feet (.6-1.3 m) every 100 years.

Visiting Hoodoos From Las Vegas.

From Las Vegas, a few tour operators offer limited tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays or by private arrangement. Depending on the number of guests, tours usually take place in a luxury 4x4 or touring-class minivan.

While Bryce Canyon National Park is a considerable drive, the entire tour can be completed in a day, with enough time left to make a late dinner or evening show at one of the resorts. (We don't recommend driving this one on your own unless you plan for the possible need for overnight accommodations at the park.) The tour typically departs at 6:30 a.m. and returns to Las Vegas by 8 p.m. that night. The tours include additional time visiting some of the monuments in Zion National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park is an unforgettable experience on par with the Grand Canyon. On a clear day, you can see panoramic views overlooking the hoodoos and the rolling hills beyond. You can find complete tour details at Bryce Canyon - Zion National Park Ground Combo Tour.

For more information and other activities and adventures around Las Vegas, visit TourGuy.com. You can also learn about Bryce Canyon by visiting the Utah Office of Tourism at Utah.com.

They recently released the 2010-11 Utah Travel Guide, which includes more information on Bryce Canyon. At more than 170 pages, please visit the Go Green link instead of requesting a brochure. A beautiful photo of Bryce Canyon covered in snow can be found on page 24.