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Ute Canyon viewpoint rim to floor looking northeast. This is one of the most spectacular vistas in the monument. Here, Ute Canyon makes a sharp 90º bend to the right —probably following the trace of fractures or faults in the very old Precambrian rocks that are visible in the floor of the canyon. In the Wingate Sandstone cliff-face across the canyon to the left, look for two small arches in the rock. Arches and windows form in narrow ridges in areas where cracks cause blocks to fall out, leaving an arch or window behind. The dark brown to black stain on the cliffs on the opposite side is actually a coating of iron, manganese, and other minerals called desert varnish. Desert varnish forms when moisture evaporates from the surface of the rocks leaving mineral deposits behind. Image taken July 3, 2011. Image is 28% size of original.
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last updated: December 21, 2011