Location of Red Rock Country

The Colorado Plateau

The Red Rock Country of southern Utah lies within a geological province called the Colorado Plateau. You may get the impression from the name "Colorado Plateau" that the entire plateau is located in Colorado. This is not the case. The name is derived from the fact that the plateau is drained almost entirely by the Colorado River and its tributaries, which include the Little Colorado, Green, San Juan, and Dirty Devil rivers. Geographically, the Colorado Plateau is located almost entirely in Utah, with small sections extending into the adjacent states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.

The Colorado Plateau is an elevated, relatively thick, and geologically independent portion of the earth’s crust. This massive section of the crust has resisted the forces that created bordering mountain ranges and, as a result, has been lifted to elevations as great as 10,000 feet. Since water tends to flow toward sea level, this massive uplift caused the existing rivers of the plateau region to cut down into the rock creating a labyrinth of dramatic canyons. In addition, hundreds of deep seated faults crisscross the Colorado Plateau resulting in large uplifted sub-plateaus and intervening basins. These smaller plateaus have shifted upward or downward relative to each other, resulting in a "Grand Staircase" from south to north. With changes in elevation, each plateau varies in surface and erosional characteristics. These smaller plateaus are separated from each other by river valleys, basins, or lines of cliffs such as the Vermilion Cliffs, White Cliffs, Gray Cliffs, and Pink Cliffs.

Vegetation is sparse in this mostly arid, or semiarid section of the country. The lowest, and hottest, sections of the Colorado Plateau are pure desert, peppered with saltbush, sage, and low scrubs. The middle elevations contain pinyon-juniper woodlands. The highest elevations contain pine, spruce and aspen forests and provide an oasis from the desert heat. However, the majority of this land is simply considered a high desert where the rock lies bare. The rocks are not obstructed by vegetation, but rather, the sparse vegetation seems to accent the stark beauty of the rock.

Red Rock Country

The Red Rock Country is a sub-portion of the Colorado Plateau. Personal opinion may vary slightly, but it is generally considered to consist of most of southern Utah and the extreme northern portion of Arizona. As you might expect, Red Rock Country is named after its plentiful red rocks. The red color of these rocks is actually due to a minor constituent in the rock, oxidized iron. Depending upon its chemical state and combination with other elements, an infinite variety of red hues results. Additional colors, such as green and blue are caused by unoxidized iron minerals. Other, less plentiful color-making elements include carbon (black), manganese (black, brown and purple) and copper (green).

 

A day spent rockhounding in southern Utah can be very rewarding. I found all of the rock and fossil samples in this image on public land within Red Rock Country. (Pictured: Crinoids, Azurite, and Travertine)

The rocks of the Colorado Plateau are primarily of sedimentary origin, with lesser amounts of igneous and metamorphic rocks thrown in to spice up the mix. Sedimentary rocks, with their characteristic layered strata, can be considered one of the most important elements of the visual beauty of this land. (These sedimentary rocks were deposited millions of years ago when the entire area was periodically covered by inland seas. Thanks to continental drift, Utah was much closer to the equator back then.) The undercutting of sedimentary rocks by erosional factors creates the characteristic mesas and buttes that Red Rock Country is well known for. The ongoing process of weathering and disintegration of the soft sedimentary rock results in an endless variety of rock monoliths, pinnacles, and spires. On a smaller level, intricate erosional sculpting of rocks and ledges results in limitless expressions of natural art.

Numerous parks and monuments lie within Red Rock Country; Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park . Thanks to the varied landscape of Red Rock Country, each of these areas presents a different aspect of the land. Each possesses a unique personality.

Where to Start

If you’ve never been to Red Rock Country, I recommend visiting the national parks and monuments first. They present the easiest and most accessible way to see the splendor of Red Rock Country. Paved roads lead to many of the best viewpoints, and rest facilities are readily available. The size of these parks is huge. Many days could be spent at each one merely beginning to explore the day-hiking possibilities. All parks and monuments have camping facilities available and most also have motel accommodations nearby.

Once you desire more intimacy with the land, I strongly recommend a backpacking trip, be it an overnighter or a longer expedition. However, be aware that this arid land is unforgiving. Hiking or backpacking, especially during the summer months, requires that you carry at least one gallon of water, per person, per day. For backcountry travel a good map and compass, and the knowledge of how to use them, is required equipment. Be aware that this land is definitely not flat, and progressing at one mile per hour is often considered making good time in the backcountry. But most importantly, do not overexert yourself. Remember, it’s not how far you hike, it’s what you see along the way. Don’t turn a trip in this splendid country into a challenge, make it an experience.