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Temple of Sinawava
Here the river canyon narrows abruptly. The cliffs' colors and textures are clues that two different rock layers intersect at the riverbed and affect how the canyon is carved.
Confined within the hard Navajo sandstone upstream, the Virgin River is forced to slice straight down, with almost no side-cutting -- creating a tight, perpendicular gorge.
Downstream the river undercuts the softer, easily eroded Kayenta Formation. Rock slabs topple, cliffs landslide, and the canyon widens from here to Springdale. The scenery of Zion Canyon evolves daily as tons of rock particles tumble downstream.
This geologic crossroads is the final stop on the shuttle route. The Riverside Walk parallels the river and explores the unusual streamside habitat. Please stay on established paths and walkways. |