Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Pinnacle, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Pinnacle, Capitol Reef National Park

(Click image to enlarge)

Capitol Reef National Park encompasses some amazing geology. This photograph shows a section of the Waterpocket Fold; a 65 million year old, 100 mile long, warp in the earth's crust. It is the largest exposed monocline in North America and has always posed a significant barrier to travel. Early settlers referred to the parallel, impassable ridges as "reefs", from which the park gets the second half of its name. Even today this barrier has barely been breached by roads. The first paved road was constructed through the area in 1962 and few other paved roads have since invaded the rugged landscape.