Day 5: Natural Bridges National Monument. Go to More
Photos for Day 5?
Overview of this Site
At Natural Bridges we will investigate rocks that are time equivalent to
part of the Cutler Formation in the Gateway fan. Here the Cutler can be
separated into formations and is itself raised to Group status. In the
park we will look at the Cedar Mesa Sandstone. Here, as in Big Spring Canyon
in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, the Cedar Mesa exhibits
cyclicity. Definite eolian and mudflat facies can be identified. But are
the limey beds and reworked sand beds the result of deposition in lakes
or the sea? Geologists don't agree. What information can help to resolve
the question?
To get to Natural Bridges travel south on Highway 191 from Moab. You
will pass through the towns of Monticello and Blanding. At the far southern
end of Blanding turn to the west on Highway 95. The Abajo Mountains lie
to the northwest. As you travel along Highway 95 you will travel past Butler
Wash, Comb Ridge, and Mule Canyon (all known for outstanding archeological
and/or geological features). The road to Natural Bridges (Highway 275)
turns off of Highway 95 just past Highway 95's intersection with Highway
261. The features described here can be seen along the developed trail
in the Park that leads to Kachina Bridge.
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