Much of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has been controversial for many reasons from the moment of creation by proclamation by President Bill Clinton during the 1996 presidential campaign.

Basically a series of large plateaus and cliffs, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is the largest national monument managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rather than the National Park Service.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is bordered by Bryce Canyon National Park, Boulder Mountain in Dixie National Forest, Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.

I've had the privilege of hiking in several areas of the monument and am always amazed at the lush oases of flora that thrives along the rivers of the canyons and gorges in this seemingly unforgiving desert environment.