Wingate Sandstone exposures in Colorado National MonumentColorado National MonumentMay 22, 2007. There are several campgrounds available in the Fruita / Grand Junction area. We chose Monument RV-Park just because we needed to easily & quickly get into the campground and head out to experience Colorado National Monument. Monument RV-Park is a good clean park but at at $35 price tag. They do have location ---- like, within a mile of the western entrance to Colorado National Monument. The Colorado River State Park is located directly across the street from Monument RV-Park. I think we would probably stay in the State Park on a return trip if for no other reason than cost.
Exposed layers Wingate sandstone sedimentary rock in Colorado National Monument
Kayenta Formation caprock protecting Wingate Sandstone Colorado National Monument
As we climb we are going through layer upon layer of sedimentary rock exposing 100s of millions of years of geology. As we climb remember that the rock layers are becoming younger and younger.
Tunnels in Colorado National Monument through Wingate Sandstone
It isn't easy to construct a highway up these vertical cliffs. On occasion engineers have to employee tunnels like these.
Graphic of sedimentary layers present in Colorado National Monument
Much of what I recognize in Colorado National Monument is Wingate Sandstone and Kayenta Formation.
Wingate Sandstone and Kayenta Formation
Wingate sandstone being protected by a caprock of Kayenta Formation sandstone. The dark streaks on the sandstone wall is desert varnish.
Wingate Sandstone with a tip of Kayenta formation
The dark covering on this sandstone wall is desert varnish.
Kayenta Formation is the caprock protecting the softer Wingate Sandstone beneath the caprock
Sandstone weathers into unusual shapes. Here a ridge between two canyons is eroding into a series of domes. The key factor in shaping these adjacent monoliths is the upper layer of harder rock (Kayenta Formation). This caprock layer is breakable, but resistant to erosion. Where the cap layer remains, the softer rock (Wingate Sandstone) beneath is protected; where it has broken away, the underlying formation has rapidly eroded to a rounded form.
Kayenta formation caprock protecting Wingate Sandstone
With the relatively resistant Kayenta Formation "caprock" intact, cliffs remain tall and fairly flat-topped. Only minor erosion occurs along vertical cracks.
How Kayenta caprock protects the Wingate Sandstone
When the Kayenta formation camprock is eroded off, underlying Wingate Sandstone begins to erode from the top down, forming more rounded spires and dome shapes.
You can certainly see how the hard Kayenta "caprock" protects the Wingate Sandstone in these pictures.
Kayenta formation caprock protecting Wingate Sandstone Colorado National Monument
How many years will it take for these formations to take on the dome shapes of the formations above? But even a novice can see how the harder Kayenta formation caprock protects the softer Wingate Sandstone.
Kayenta formation caprock protecting Wingate Sandstone Colorado National Monument
Much harder caprock of the Kayenta formation protecting the softer Wingate under it.
Red Canyon Colorado National Monument exposing Kayenta formation and Wingate Sandstone
This is Red Canyon on the eastern side of Colorado National Monument. This view is looking north into the valley and Grand Junction, Colorado in the distance.
Grand Junction from Colorado National Monument
Joyce took this picture of Grand Junction, in the valley and an awesome switchback visible several hundred feet below as we snake our way down the cliff face on the eastern side of Colorado National Monument.
Tunnel through Wingate Sandstone in Colorado National Monument
Like on the western side engineers had to employ a tunnel in order to get automobiles down the steep cliff face.
Impressive road cut through Wingate Sandstone in Colorado National Monument
Deep road cuts were employed in some places in the place of tunnels. This is one impressive roadcut.
These are some of our other Travel Logs in this area: The John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah Arches National Monument in Moab, Utah Driving US-191 from Blanding to Moab, Utah
More Colorado AdventuresSome Exciting Drives** More 2007 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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