Checkerboard Mesa

Throughout much of Zion National Park, the fossilized sand dunes of the Navajo Sandstone show the large-scale Cross Bedding typical of this type of formation. Superimposed on the bedding exposed on the sloping surface of this hill are near-vertical stress cracks that appear to form at right angles to the bedding. These cracks are enhanced by the process of erosion from rainfall. The outcome of these two features is a checkerboard pattern, hence the name of the hill.

Print No. A97SW-35-9

Navajo Sandstone and Pine

As the Sun sets in the upper eastern portion of the park, the shadows of one peak quickly creep up upon the next. This pine tree just happened to be well positioned as a silhouette against the sunlight through a delve in the cliff.

Print No. A98-28-6

The Watchman and the Virgin River

Located near the southern entrance of the canyon, The Watchman (near center) is one of the most photographed peaks in the park. Here, the North Fork of the Virgin River cuts deeper into the strata underlying the Navajo Sandstone. The strata exposed at The Watchman include the Navajo Sandstone (upper vertical cliffs) and the Kayenta and Moenave Formations (lower reddish slopes - part of the Vermilion Cliffs). The Kayenta Formation is known for the fossilized dinosaur tracks found in its deposits.

Print No. A01-30-5

Court of the Patriarchs

Looking west across a meander in the North Fork of the Virgin River, the Patriarchs, catch the morning sunlight. Nearly the full thickness of the Navajo Sandstone is exposed here.

Print No. A01-30-10

Lower Emerald Pool Falls

About 0.6 miles (1 Km) up the Emerald Pools Trail, seeps and surface water flow over an overhang of the Kayenta Formation of the Vermilion Cliffs. This leaves vertical streaks of black manganese oxide on the cliff wall.

Print No. A01-31-7

More images of waterfalls