{"id":7160,"date":"2024-07-24T04:15:27","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T04:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/black-mountains-and-inscription-canyon-petroglyphs-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T03:31:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T03:31:10","slug":"white-rocks-grand-staircase-escalante","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/white-rocks-grand-staircase-escalante\/","title":{"rendered":"White Rocks Area (GSENM)"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-7160\" data-postid=\"7160\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-7160 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_3qy7115 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_16ej116 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_sf2q117    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>In a small corner and seldom visited area of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) in Utah lays a labyrinth of wild and crazy rock formations simply known as White Rocks.<\/strong>\u00a0This place is a big treasure chest of unusual geologic formations, from over a hundred hoodoos or toadstools, to rock layers that seem to be dripping away. And, can you guess what color the rocks are?<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_3f0m118 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_fzuq118 image-top rounded drop-shadow  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInRightBig\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"305\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7153\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM\" alt=\"WhiteRocksGSENM\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM.jpg 350w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM-300x261.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_fbfa115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_vndf118 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_dgab722 button-bottom-center red  rounded embossed shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInLeft\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\"><\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story.        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_bc99105 image-center bordered  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"lightSpeedIn\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1.5\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6jt-yRosxE0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"978\" height=\"550\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7185\" title=\"YouTubeFinal\" alt=\"YouTubeFinal\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal.jpg 978w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 978px) 100vw, 978px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_4bip119   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_hnsf115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_5klg120 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_r2qw120  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Length<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            4 to 10 miles hiking roundtrip        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_lhfo120  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Attractions<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Unusual rock formations<\/li>\n<li>Numerous hoodoos\/toadstools<\/li>\n<li>Very unique landscapes<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_5rf9121 last\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_3fvv121  yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Difficulty<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Easy to drive to trailhead<\/li>\n<li>Challenging to navigate<\/li>\n<li>Easy to get lost<\/li>\n<li>Very remote area \u2013 cell phones may not work<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_j5pz115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_ia8p121 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_20x3121   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>The following article includes additional information to what is explained in the video above. There\u2019s so much to see, study and ponder about in the White Rocks area. Below, you\u2019ll find more information about different features found in White Rocks, along with our best guesses to what\u2019s going on with what you\u2019re seeing and how it was created. We say, best guesses, because there is very little information available about this place.<\/p>\n<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<p>As mentioned in the video, White Rocks offers so many wild and bizarre landscapes. It\u2019s as if world-renowned animator Dr. Suess met 1960s-era psychedelic rock star Jerry Garcia, on the classic TV show <em>The Twilight Zone<\/em>, which was made famous by showcasing bizarre and mysterious things. In reality though, the White Rocks area boasts some of the most unusual rock formations that we have encountered in the Southwest. In our opinion, it rates similarly to the rock formations and fantastic scenery of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/the-wave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Coyote Buttes<\/a> area, including The Wave.<\/p>\n<p>Details covered in this article:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Getting There &amp; The Layout of White Rocks (its three distinctive regions)<\/li>\n<li>Landscapes you\u2019ll see in each of the three regions<\/li>\n<li>The geological concept of \u201ccross-bedding\u201d and how it appears differently here<\/li>\n<li>A theory as to the creation of a highly mineralized (aka colorful) rock outcrop<\/li>\n<li>The geologic layers of Entrada Formation \u201cmembers\u201d seen throughout White Rocks<\/li>\n<li>Tips on photographing White Rocks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Getting There<\/h2>\n<p>White Rocks is located between Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah. It\u2019s located in the very south-central portion of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument<\/a>. It\u2019s also at the base of the very southern end of the enormous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kaiparowits Plateau<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The turnoff from US Hwy 89 to White Rocks is located near the small hamlet of Church Wells, which is 20 miles (32 km) west of Glen Canyon Dam (on Hwy 89) and 51 miles (81.5 km) from Kanab (also on Hwy 89). BLM Road 435, which is dirt, is found on the east end of Church Wells. This road ends in 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from Hwy 89 at two trailheads, both leading into White Rocks.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_7yz3343  red  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"rollIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\"><strong>WARNING:<\/strong><\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            Although this 3.5 mile-long road is normally in good condition, it passes through layers of dirt that can become muddy and impassable after heavy rain or an inch or two of snow. Since it\u2019s slopes down toward the trailhead, climbing back up to Hwy 89 may not be possible when the road is muddy.        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_emvf649   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-17\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/tour-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Ad-800x500-TripPlan2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_d4w1933   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>The Layout of White Rocks<\/h2>\n<p>White Rocks is a series of canyons, valleys and ridges. It is broken down into three distinctive areas. They are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The canyon or small valley of Zebra Hoodoo<\/li>\n<li>White Valley<\/li>\n<li>Sidestep Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Map<\/h3>\n<p>If you choose to explore White Rocks on your own, we highly recommend utilizing a mapping app on your phone. In our opinion, a subscription to Gaia GPS is the best solution. Since phone reception is sketchy at White Rocks, you cannot expect to get an internet connection that will provide you with map data to see where you\u2019re located. Gaia GPS has the option to download a selected portion of their map (and other map layers) to your phone, so it will work off-line from the internet while you\u2019re deep in one of the canyons.<\/p>\n<p>One very helpful feature of Gaia GPS is the ability to plan your trip on your computer using Gaia GPS or Google Earth. You can mark the places (i.e., waypoints) that look interesting, and you want to visit, then save them to your Gaia GPS account. Then, when you open Gaia GPS on your phone, those waypoints will appear, which will make navigating to those places and making your hike much easier and giving you more confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Below is a map plotting places discussed in the article. Click on this ad to purchase Gaia GPS with our discount and we&#8217;ll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module maps pro -->\n<div  id=\"tb_gc43124\" class=\"module module-maps-pro tb_gc43124 blackMtn-kmlLayer tf_lazy\" data-zoom=\"12\" data-type=\"HYBRID\" data-address=\"37.14478, -111.74557\" data-scrollwheel=\"1\" data-draggable=\"enable\" data-disable_map_ui=\"\" data-polyline=\"\" data-geodesic=\"\" data-polylineStroke=\"2\" data-polylineColor=\"\" data-trigger=\"\" data-mapid=\"\" data-legacymarkers=\"\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas\" style=\"width:100%;height:400px\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.13483,-111.76027\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTrailhead #1\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.13801,-111.76253\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTrailhead #2\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"37.1587,-111.76379\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tZebra hoodoo valley\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.012752,-117.320483\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolar electric plant built in 2015.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.010581,-117.2928\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHarper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.002928,-117.259825\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLockhart Ranch Road intersects with road that heads north and crosses Harper Dry Lake.<br\/>Turn left (north) here.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.122327,-117.25525\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tApproximate area of Black Canyon petroglyphs\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.166766,-117.232027\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStagecoach stop\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.166289,-117.225077\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWildlife \"guzzler\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.185744,-117.211424\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tScout's Cove\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.206858,-117.200192\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBear left at this fork.  Rock lichens & petroglyphs on the right.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.198607,-117.193325\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInscription Canyon\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"35.154445, -117.191290\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn route via Opal Mountain Road\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.921873, -117.189003\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEnd of trip at Hinkley Rd & Hwy 58\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module maps pro --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vpx270   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><!-- Begin PayPal Donations by https:\/\/www.tipsandtricks-hq.com\/paypal-donations-widgets-plugin -->\n\n<form action=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/cgi-bin\/webscr\" method=\"post\">\n    <div class=\"paypal-donations\">\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_donations\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"bn\" value=\"TipsandTricks_SP\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"business\" value=\"ilene@backroadswest.com\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"return\" value=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_name\" value=\"Help fund our travel cost to create more trips\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_number\" value=\"BackRoadsWest Blog Donation\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"amount\" value=\"5.00\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rm\" value=\"0\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"currency_code\" value=\"USD\" \/>\n        <input type=\"image\" style=\"cursor: pointer;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/btn\/btn_donateCC_LG.gif\" name=\"submit\" alt=\"PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online.\" \/>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypalobjects.com\/en_US\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n<\/form>\n<!-- End PayPal Donations -->\n<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_hisu767   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>What You&#8217;ll See<\/h2>\n<p>White Rocks offers scenery and rock formations not commonly found anywhere else in North America. You can probably guess what color the scenery is \u2013 white. Along with the dominant, white-colored landscape are smatterings of different colors, some purplish bands in the middle, thin and wide bads of reddish-purple, thin streaks of green, along with layers of yellows, pinks, reds and browns at the tops of the ridges.<\/p>\n<p>White Rocks is bordered to the east by the large drainage of Wahweap Wash. Located on this east edge is the Wahweap Hoodoos. These are two clusters of very large toadstools that are found along Wahweap Wash but are not near the White Rocks area we cover in this article. Visting the Wahweap Hoodoos is not done from White Rocks but from a trailhead near the town of Big Water.<\/p>\n<h3>Are they Hoodoos are Toadstools?<\/h3>\n<p>In the video and in this article, you\u2019ll see that we use the term hoodoo and toadstool interchangeably. There are actually differences between a hoodoo and a toadstool.<\/p>\n<p>The term \u201choodoo\u201d is most commonly used in Bryce Canyon to describe the thousands of white and orange colored single pinnacles or rock formations sticking up vertically. They range in height from five to maybe a hundred feet. Hoodoos are typically rounded on top and consist of one geologic rock formation. In Bryce Canyon, that formation is the Claron Formation. Hoodoos can also be found in Goblin Valley State Park, also in Utah, and Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona.<\/p>\n<p>The term \u201ctoadstool\u201d is used to describe a geologic formation that is like a hoodoo but has a hardened cap rock at the top that is usually wider than the hoodoo portion (neck or base) of the toadstool. The cap rock looks like a hoodoo with a hat on top. It\u2019s likened to a \u201csitting stool for a toad\u201d, which is how it got its name. This cap rock is typically a color (often a dark color) that is much different than the hoodoo portion (often a lighter color). Toadstools are typically formed by a less-erosion-proof earthen layer below (the base) that is protected by a small, hardened rock layer above, known as a \u201ccap rock\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Of all the travels we\u2019ve made throughout the Southwest, in our opinion, White Rocks has the highest concentration of toadstools. There\u2019s easily over 100 toadstools scattered around the White Rocks area.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_3gem115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_3 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_w7kf122 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_rpuv562 image-center bordered  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7364\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENMtoad\" alt=\"Toadstools\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Toadstools        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_5kiu123\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_2yfl17 image-center bordered  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7363\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo\" alt=\"Hoodoos\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Hoodoos        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_201a518 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_wqn8967 image-center bordered  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7362\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive\" alt=\"Beehives\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Beehives        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_1hcy55 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_099m55 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6cby914   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-3\"><div class=\"g-single a-8\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest Travel Guides\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/death-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/AdDeathValley3.gif\" width=\"665\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>The Two Trailheads<\/h2>\n<p>Near the end of BLM Road 435, you\u2019ll find a large cattle corral and a reservoir to store water for the cattle. One time when we were there, there was a group of classic cowboys that were busy managing their cattle.<\/p>\n<p>Just past the corral on the right is the first trailhead. This trailhead is used for accessing the bottom of White Valley and Sidestep Canyon.<\/p>\n<p>Past the first trailhead, the second trailhead is reached in a very short distance, which is where the road ends. This trailhead is used for accessing Zebra Hoodoo, the northern top of White Valley and Sidestep Canyon. On one occasion, we parked at this trailhead to start a big loop visiting all three areas in White Rocks and came out at the first trailhead, then walked back to our vehicle parked at the second trailhead.<\/p>\n<p>When hiking out of either trailhead, use the tall rock outcrop named Chimney Rock as a visual point of reference to help you determine where you\u2019re located in White Rocks. The hike we did once starting at the second trailhead and ending at the first, consisted of making a large counter-clockwise path around Chimney Rock, looking for it often to give us a point of reference.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-26\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjYsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-bw2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Valley Containing Zebra Hoodoo<\/h2>\n<p>This small valley or wide canyon is a side drainage to the main drainage that the second trailhead sits in. After starting at the trailhead, it is easy to find an established trail (double track) that leads up the drainage. After walking up the main drainage about half a mile, bear right into the side drainage. The side drainage ends at Zebra Hoodoo at the very end with high cliffs on all three sides.<\/p>\n<p>About the last quarter mile of this drainage, the cliffs on both sides are full of very delicate, whimsical, and unusually shaped rock formations. Make sure to walk near these cliffs to study and look over these formations.<\/p>\n<p>The lone hoodoo in this drainage is Zebra Hoodoo and is located near the end of the drainage. Unlike many other hoodoos in the White Rocks area that are white with a dark brown top, Zebra has many horizontal reddish-brown stripes, hence its name. There are a few other hoodoos in the Sidestep Canyon area that are similar, but none stack up to the perfect hoodoo that is Zebra Hoodoo.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7321\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7321\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7321\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7321\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zebra Hoodoo, White Rocks, Utah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>About a half mile south of Zebra Hoodoo, is a side canyon heading east with a cluster of about five hoodoos, along with yet more unique rock formations and layers. Near the end of this drainage, a few trails can be found that climb out of the drainage and head east towards the top end of White Valley\u2019s left fork. Just beware that these trails are steep, sandy, and are difficult to climb. Once at the top, there is a well-defined trail that can be found heading east.<\/p>\n<h2>White Valley<\/h2>\n<p>The first trailhead sits at the mouth of the main drainage exiting White Valley. This would make an obvious starting point to exploring the various features and branches of White Valley. However, there are other trails to see and access White Valley.<\/p>\n<p>Hiking up the White Valley drainage is an easy walk for the first mile. That\u2019s about when the 8-foot-high rancher\u2019s dam is encountered. Rumor has it that occasionally there is a ladder here to climb over the dam. If there isn\u2019t, it will need to be scaled which is easier with three or more people to help each other up. It can be bypassed by climbing the steep sloping sandstone on the east\/south side of the canyon. Naturally, going down the dam is much easier on the return trip.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7360\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7360\" style=\"width: 2560px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7360 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Rancher's dam\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1352\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-scaled.jpg 2560w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-300x158.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-1024x541.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-768x406.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-1536x811.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-2048x1081.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7360\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rancher&#8217;s dam along hike to White Valley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>About a third of a mile past the dam, the drainage of White Valley splits into two. This is the center of White Valley. It\u2019s fairly wide compared to other parts of the drainages, which is probably why most maps refer to this area as a \u201cvalley\u201d. All around this center is a vast sea of white Entrada Sandstone in various stages of erosion. Some of this terrain appears as actual hardened sandstone, whereas other terrain is comprised of softer mudstones that appear to be melting or oozing down from the cliffs above the drainage.<\/p>\n<p>Above this point, we\u2019ll refer to the two drainages as the right and left fork. Heading up the left fork, the drainage narrows quickly and turns into a canyon. Soon, it turns into a slot canyon, with its entrance guarded by a muddy pool. We didn\u2019t pass this point. Looking into the slot canyon, we saw more pools of muddy water. We noticed this when we visited in March, but hopefully in late fall after any monsoon activity, the slot canyon would probably be dry.<\/p>\n<p>Heading up the right fork passes through wider sections of White Valley, then the drainage narrows quickly into another slot canyon. There seems to be nowhere along here for water to pool, making it easier to walk through these narrows. In this slot canyon, we noticed many \u201ccandle wax drippings\u201d on the vertical walls of the canyon. This slot canyon was partially blocked by several rock falls halfway through where one would need to scramble over piles of rubble. Although we didn\u2019t explore this slot canyon all the way through, this drainage presumably ends at the top of the canyon and just on the other side of the top of Sidestep Canyon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-27\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjcsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-2a.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Sidestep Canyon<\/h2>\n<p>This area includes even more bizarre rock formations and scenery. Like White Valley, it consists of a canyon with two branches, with the branch almost touching the right fork of White Valley that includes the most interesting and bizarre landscapes, including an unusual slot canyon.<\/p>\n<p>There is a 4WD road that separates the top of Sidestep Canyon and the right fork of White Valley. This is a branch off the controversial BLM Road 431. It\u2019s controversial because it has been \u201cillegally\u201d closed to the public. Its closure is marked by a gate that is supposedly either open or closed with a sign indicating \u201cadministrative road\u201d and that entry is forbidden. However, we\u2019ve heard of plenty of people opening the gate and resuming their drive to both the Waheap Hoodoos and the tops of Sidestep Canyon and White Valley.\u00a0 Road 431 begins at Cottonwood Canyon Road (BLM Road 400) and the branch road starts off 431, 8 miles in. Heading south on the branch road reaches the top of Sidestep in 1.2 miles. We have never taken this road, so we don\u2019t know its condition, other than it is a rough road requiring high clearance 4WD. Bottom line, take this road knowing that there is a risk of being fined by BLM law enforcement.<\/p>\n<p>During two different hikes, we reached Sidestep Canyon two different ways. One was coming up from the second trailhead via the Zebra Hoodoo drainage explained earlier, and the other was from the first trailhead using a hidden, but well used trail, that skirted the south rim of White Valley.<\/p>\n<p>From the top of the fork of Sidestep Canyon closest to White Valley (closest to the branch road mentioned above), one can walk along its edge to admire the landscapes below. A little less than a hundred feet below the canyon\u2019s rim is a broad shelf that can be seen on both sides of the canyon. Exploring this shelf reveals a moonscape of rock formations and toadstools. Looking down to where the deeper slot canyon sits are hundreds of mushroom-shaped rocks protruding out of the canyon.<\/p>\n<p>Getting from that shelf, then down into the slot canyon itself is difficult. We bypassed this whole area by descending a less steep slope in the main part of the canyon. From there, we walked up both forks of Sidestep Canyon, with each fork revealing its own set of unique landscapes and rock formations.<\/p>\n<p>Below the confluence of the two forks, a quarter-mile-long side canyon heads north from the main drainage that is interesting to explore. The left fork of this side canyon ends where the largest toadstool we\u2019ve ever seen is encountered. This formation is just over 100 feet tall! To me, it was very intimidating.<\/p>\n<h2>Pictures:<\/h2>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_s9mb122  slider-caption-overlay  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"1\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"1\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"4000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n            data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n                data-speed=\"1\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"scroll\" \n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#2c2219 25%,#4080ca 25% 50%,#7c99c5 50% 75%,#281e12 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4f4a47 25%,#9aa6c0 25% 50%,#574636 50% 75%,#c0aa9d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#695d47 25%,#978a79 25% 50%,#7f816b 50% 75%,#a48e76 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2e1d09 25%,#674c31 25% 50%,#9e9a81 50% 75%,#5b5547 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7154\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM1\" alt=\"Zebra hoodoo area - Zebra hoodoo on right\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7154\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM1\" alt=\"Zebra hoodoo area - Zebra hoodoo on right\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Zebra hoodoo area &#8211; Zebra hoodoo on right<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#708cbe 25%,#3f1a00 25% 50%,#4d8dd7 50% 75%,#3684d7 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a09986 25%,#756452 25% 50%,#5388ce 50% 75%,#6396d8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#574c30 25%,#7e6d53 25% 50%,#724e34 50% 75%,#5998df 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cfc0ad 25%,#433323 25% 50%,#715d44 50% 75%,#565246 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7155\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM2\" alt=\"Toadstools at White Rocks\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7155\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM2\" alt=\"Toadstools at White Rocks\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Toadstools at White Rocks<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#685841 25%,#6e5131 25% 50%,#37342f 50% 75%,#413e2d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4d4d59 25%,#3f3a36 25% 50%,#e7d6c6 50% 75%,#3f3722 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#564c4b 25%,#c6cacb 25% 50%,#665d40 50% 75%,#62584f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b7b7b7 25%,#050706 25% 50%,#2b2213 50% 75%,#867d6e 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7156\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM3\" alt=\"Unusual rock formations near Zebra hoodoo\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7156\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM3\" alt=\"Unusual rock formations near Zebra hoodoo\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Unusual rock formations near Zebra hoodoo<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#c4bcb1 25%,#133771 25% 50%,#868eb3 50% 75%,#415e8a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#504438 25%,#b9ada1 25% 50%,#9a928f 50% 75%,#bbbbbb 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9c988d 25%,#a49a8e 25% 50%,#b6ad9e 50% 75%,#645341 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7f7b78 25%,#5b5241 25% 50%,#826e63 50% 75%,#a39990 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7157\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM4\" alt=\"Sidestep Canyon in White Rocks\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7157\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM4\" alt=\"Sidestep Canyon in White Rocks\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Sidestep Canyon in White Rocks<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#123d68 25%,#8b6842 25% 50%,#1e4b75 50% 75%,#1d4e79 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cbb88d 25%,#9a8351 25% 50%,#644b37 50% 75%,#456e8e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a88c76 25%,#cfb195 25% 50%,#d4c7b4 50% 75%,#271900 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e6c8ae 25%,#c0b9a6 25% 50%,#543b25 50% 75%,#90825b 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7158\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM5\" alt=\"There is some color other than white at White Rocks\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7158\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM5\" alt=\"There is some color other than white at White Rocks\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>There is some color other than white at White Rocks<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_pfby871 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_46vm871 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_a4k4871   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_6wc0871 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_17bh871   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_1gln115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_3oai123 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_mliv470   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!-- Skyscraper160x600 --><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module divider -->\n<div  class=\"module tf_mw module-divider tb_xzou899 solid   \" style=\"border-width: 1px;border-color: #000;\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module divider -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_jr5w124   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Cross-bedding<\/h2>\n<p>As learned in the video, most of the White Rocks area sits in the Entrada Sandstone formation. Like the Navajo Sandstone formation, famously exposed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/?s=zion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zion National Park<\/a>, the Entrada Sandstone sports various forms of what\u2019s referred to as <em>cross-bedding<\/em>, also known as <em>cross-stratification<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that both the Navajo and the Entrada are remnants of enormous ancient Jurassic-aged sand dunes. As can be witnessed at modern-day sand dunes, such as nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes west of Kanab, the wind shifts the sands up and over shallow slopes of accumulated sand. This creates many mounds on the surface of the sand dunes and is how sand dunes are created. When the wind shifts direction, those slopes are formed in another direction and are formed on top of the previous slope or mound of sand. Below is a diagram of how these mounds are created:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7324\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"215\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding.jpg 688w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding-300x94.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example of classic cross-bedding that is common in Zion or the Escalante Canyons section of GSENM:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7325\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7325\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7325\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2.jpg\" alt=\"Cross-bedding example in Zion National Park\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7325\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cross-bedding example in Zion National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As more sand piles up and gets higher, the various mounds below it becomes buried. In both the Navajo and Entrada, these mounds piled up, then were eroded away by wind and water many times, for a very long period of time. Finally, the environment changed, and other types of rock were deposited on top of these buried sand dunes and were solidified or petrified, eventually creating <em>sandstone<\/em> from the previous loose sand.<\/p>\n<p>In current times (the last several thousand years), as water erosion dug deeply into the sandstone layers, they revealed these now petrified sand mounds with the lines indicating the ancient slopes of the sand dunes. Cross-bedding patterns can be found in the Navajo Sandstone throughout the Colorado Plateau.<\/p>\n<p>However, in the White Rocks area, when the Entrada eroded, it revealed cross-bedding that looks very different in the three areas, probably because of different material that was deposited during the age when the sand dunes were forming. In the Navajo, it was mostly 100% sand. In the Entrada, the majority of what was being deposited in the locality around White Rocks was sand, maybe 70%, but there were other types of rock material included.<\/p>\n<p>Walking up the drainage from the first trailhead and towards White Valley, the white sandstone on the right side of the canyon has cross-bedding that appears very similar to what\u2019s found in Zion. Further into White Valley, the cross-bedding changes. Often, it consists of flat layers, but also has angled layers that dip in different directions, similar to the shape of those sand mounds. However, what\u2019s different is that there are hard packed layers interlaced with softer layers. These hard packed layers protrude out because they eroded more slowly than the software layers. Over in Sidestep Canyon, this effect is increased, where those hard packed layers are more like many fins sticking out of the sides of the canyon.<\/p>\n<p>Examining all these geologic effects is why it takes a long time to walk through the White Rocks area. One really needs to take the time to examine all the canyon walls and surfaces to really appreciate the uniqueness of geologic forces that occurred at White Rocks.<\/p>\n<p>Examples of the different styles of crossbedding at White Rocks:<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_qgln847  slider-default  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"1\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"1\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"6000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n            data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n                data-speed=\"1\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"fade\" \n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#074693 25%,#0a52a4 25% 50%,#2c2723 50% 75%,#3a3024 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#817f73 25%,#8d8779 25% 50%,#423f38 50% 75%,#686763 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c3c0b9 25%,#d8d1c9 25% 50%,#d2cecd 50% 75%,#484540 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cac5c1 25%,#d5ccc3 25% 50%,#c0bcb0 50% 75%,#5c584d 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross1-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7357\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross1\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross1-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7357\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross1\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Example of normal crossbedding in Entrada Sandstone<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4c4032 25%,#bbbcae 25% 50%,#ccc5bb 50% 75%,#a9a298 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#8d8582 25%,#302011 25% 50%,#c8c5bc 50% 75%,#c7c3b7 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#574c3a 25%,#161712 25% 50%,#5f4d37 50% 75%,#b4aa9e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b3b1b2 25%,#736354 25% 50%,#beaaac 50% 75%,#7d7568 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross2-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7358\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross2\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross2-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7358\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross2\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Example of different crossbedding in White Valley area<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0a295f 25%,#0c2f67 25% 50%,#a1a7c1 50% 75%,#273f6f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b6afa7 25%,#215086 25% 50%,#66635c 50% 75%,#33271b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#635f54 25%,#999687 25% 50%,#a49d93 50% 75%,#41342c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#988e8c 25%,#938b7e 25% 50%,#9f9685 50% 75%,#9b8a82 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross3-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-7359\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross3\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross3-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-7359\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross3\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Example of unusual crossbedding in Sidestep Canyon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1nly31   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-27\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjcsMTEsNjA=\" title=\"Snap Shots West\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/ssw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Ad-800x500-2a.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h3>The Highly Mineralized Rock Outcrop<\/h3>\n<p>When watching the video, you may recall seeing a very colorful rock outcrop, consisting of brilliant orange and purplish colors, at the canyon rim near the top of White Valley\u2019s right fork. At first examination, this appears to be a very highly mineralized outcropping that oxidized and created the colors seen in the video. But is that how these colors were really created?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7381\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7381\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7381 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-300x195.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-1024x666.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-768x499.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-1536x998.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7381\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Highly mineralized or colorful rock outcrop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After discussing this outcrop with other people, studying pictures of other geologic features where odd colors like this formed, and knowing that there was no other feature like this found anywhere in White Rocks, it could be a something real special. It may be the remains of a geyser or fumarole (steam vent).<\/p>\n<p>When geysers erupt, not only do they bring up material from deep below, way below the Entrada Sandstone formation, they spray the surrounding surface with hot liquid material that stains the existing rock. This eruption may have occurred several times until the volatile material was all erupted and spent, creating different rock staining events. Mild staining can be observed all other unrelated rock near the outcrop.<\/p>\n<p>Without closer examination of this outcrop and without an experienced geologist, we can only provide rough guesses as to how this was created.<\/p>\n<h3>The Uniform Horizontal Layers<\/h3>\n<p>White Rocks is on the Colorado Plateau. If you\u2019re familiar with what that is, it\u2019s a large area that covers the eastern half of Utah, much of northern Arizona, portions of western Colorado and the northwest corner of New Mexico. It\u2019s where most of the spectacular scenic places of interest exist in the Southwest.<\/p>\n<p>This region defined as the Colorado Plateau consists mainly of organized horizontal (flat) layers of rock strata. Regions surrounding the Colorado Plateau are not organized and flat. Instead, they\u2019re upheaved, mixed up and very random. They got that way through various tectonic forces.<\/p>\n<p>The border between the organized Colorado Plateau geologic province or ecosystem and neighboring provinces with jumbled up rock layers is very evident around St. George Utah. See our article on the Triple Junction of Southwest Utah:<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_4u53737 image-center bordered  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-tf-animation_delay=\"1.5\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9Tfrpo94vKY\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/YouTubeUniqueLandscapes.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-6075\" title=\"YouTubeUniqueLandscapes\" alt=\"Click image to watch video\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/YouTubeUniqueLandscapes.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/YouTubeUniqueLandscapes-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Click image to watch video        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_s5u0140   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. 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Looking east at one point, a view, shown in the picture below, reveals various layers of material within the Entrada Sandstone and the overlaying Naturita Formation, formally classified as the Dakota Formation, that are all relatively flat (parallel to the Earth\u2019s surface).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7361\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7361\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7361 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7361\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">See callout legend (A-E) below &#8211; click image to enlarge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Looking from the bottom up, one can see the various \u201cmembers\u201d of the Entrada Sandstone Formation. These members each consist of different \u201cversions\u201d of Entrada Sandstone. Across the Southwest, where the Entrada is exposed, geologists have identified about 12 different members. No more than three or four members are exposed in one locality. In the White Rocks locality, supposedly three are exposed.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of geology involved or these different members, this scene is very impressive. It shows many of the layers or bands of rocks, along with their unique colors, that are found all over White Rocks. Some of these bands are the stripes that make up Zebra Hoodoo and other hoodoos found in Sidestep Canyon.<\/p>\n<p>Using the labels in the above picture, they point out:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>A:<\/strong><\/span> Cross-bedding of the Entrada<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>B:<\/strong><\/span> Purple deposits found in White Valley<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>C:<\/strong><\/span> Reddish stripe found in Zebra Hoodoo<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>D:<\/strong><\/span> The thin green stripe towards the top of the Entrada that\u2019s found in places<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>E:<\/strong><\/span> The yellow and pink rocks on top<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cE\u201d is the cap rock of the Naturita Formation (not part of the Entrada) that can be seen at the top. The Naturita is made of tougher material than the Entrada. This is most likely the source of the \u201chats\u201d on many of the toadstools.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g g-11\"><div class=\"g-single a-29\"><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"MjksMTEsNjA=\" title=\"BackRoadsWest.com\" href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/geology-tour-st-george\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Ad-800x500-GeologyTour2.gif\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Photography<\/h3>\n<p>The potential for capturing artistic photography at White Rocks is endless. During our travels to White Rocks, we\u2019ve discussed it might be possible to open an art gallery that consists of nothing but pictures of White Rocks, where each picture would showcase something different. Some of the scenes are so abstract and surreal that it would be easy to meet that goal.<\/p>\n<p>The easiest place to access White Rocks when carrying a lot of photography equipment is the small valley of Zebra Hoodoo. When photographing the cliffs surrounding this valley, it is important to capture its scale, such as using a person or something recognizable. Because the cliffs contain many intricate and whimsical features, a moderate zoom lens will come in handy to capture the detail. A wider-angle lens will miss the details.<\/p>\n<p>White Valley contains a different environment and landscape to photograph compared to Zebra. It is also easy to access with the exception of getting past the rancher\u2019s dam. It\u2019s also a longer hike (about 3-5 miles). Once can easily spend a lot more time in White Valley compared to Zebra.<\/p>\n<p>Like White Valley with its different landscapes, Sidestep Canyon has again a whole different landscape profile. It has more nooks and crannies to explore for finding that unique and perfect image. However, it\u2019s certainly more difficult to access areas within Sidestep Canyon. Plus, it\u2019s a longer hike, about 6-8 miles. We recommend carrying a lighter camera and less or lighter equipment.<\/p>\n<p>Lighting can be a challenge in different parts of White Rocks. Naturally, the various slot canyons can be dark. But the upside to the white Entrada is that it bounces a lot of light into darker areas. In the Zebra drainage, mornings are better for photographing the west cliff faces, whereas the more intricate east cliff face doesn\u2019t get exposed to the sun until late morning. Various portions of White Valley and Sidestep Canyon are exposed to the sun most of the day. In the tighter places within Sidestep Canyon, the light constantly changes throughout the day. When photographing the narrower canyons, it would be best to visit the same places at different times of the day to capture the best lighting.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_tc4r678   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <div class=\"g g-5\"><div class=\"g-single a-12\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest Travel Guides\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/mojave-national-preserve\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/AdMNP3.gif\" width=\"665\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Comments<\/h2>\n<p>Questions? Would you like to provide what you know about White Rocks and its geology? Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6jt-yRosxE0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_gnvd115 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_4t9a124 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_3laf124   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. 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[&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,8,12,17,19,20,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geology","category-hike","category-places","category-season-fall","category-season-spring","category-season-winter","category-utah","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"White Rocks in Utah offers so many wild and bizarre landscapes, it\u2019s kind of like if Dr. Suess and Jerry Garcia met on an episode of The Twilight Zone.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cliff 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04:15:30","updated":"2026-05-13 18:41:56","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/hike\/\" title=\"Hikes\">Hikes<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tWhite Rocks Area (GSENM)\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog"},{"label":"Hikes","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/hike\/"},{"label":"White Rocks Area (GSENM)","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/white-rocks-grand-staircase-escalante\/"}],"builder_content":"<p><strong>In a small corner and seldom visited area of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) in Utah lays a labyrinth of wild and crazy rock formations simply known as White Rocks.<\/strong>\u00a0This place is a big treasure chest of unusual geologic formations, from over a hundred hoodoos or toadstools, to rock layers that seem to be dripping away. And, can you guess what color the rocks are?<\/p>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM.jpg\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM\" alt=\"WhiteRocksGSENM\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM.jpg 350w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM-300x261.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>\n<h3><\/h3> <strong>Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments. Then come back to get the rest of the story.\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6jt-yRosxE0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal.jpg\" title=\"YouTubeFinal\" alt=\"YouTubeFinal\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal.jpg 978w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/YouTubeFinal-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 978px) 100vw, 978px\" \/> <\/a>\n<h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>\n<h3>Length<\/h3> 4 to 10 miles hiking roundtrip\n<h3>Attractions<\/h3> <ul> <li>Unusual rock formations<\/li> <li>Numerous hoodoos\/toadstools<\/li> <li>Very unique landscapes<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Difficulty<\/h3> <ul> <li>Easy to drive to trailhead<\/li> <li>Challenging to navigate<\/li> <li>Easy to get lost<\/li> <li>Very remote area \u2013 cell phones may not work<\/li> <\/ul>\n<p>The following article includes additional information to what is explained in the video above. There\u2019s so much to see, study and ponder about in the White Rocks area. Below, you\u2019ll find more information about different features found in White Rocks, along with our best guesses to what\u2019s going on with what you\u2019re seeing and how it was created. We say, best guesses, because there is very little information available about this place.<\/p> <h2>Introduction<\/h2> <p>As mentioned in the video, White Rocks offers so many wild and bizarre landscapes. It\u2019s as if world-renowned animator Dr. Suess met 1960s-era psychedelic rock star Jerry Garcia, on the classic TV show <em>The Twilight Zone<\/em>, which was made famous by showcasing bizarre and mysterious things. In reality though, the White Rocks area boasts some of the most unusual rock formations that we have encountered in the Southwest. In our opinion, it rates similarly to the rock formations and fantastic scenery of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/the-wave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Coyote Buttes<\/a> area, including The Wave.<\/p> <p>Details covered in this article:<\/p> <ul> <li>Getting There &amp; The Layout of White Rocks (its three distinctive regions)<\/li> <li>Landscapes you\u2019ll see in each of the three regions<\/li> <li>The geological concept of \u201ccross-bedding\u201d and how it appears differently here<\/li> <li>A theory as to the creation of a highly mineralized (aka colorful) rock outcrop<\/li> <li>The geologic layers of Entrada Formation \u201cmembers\u201d seen throughout White Rocks<\/li> <li>Tips on photographing White Rocks<\/li> <\/ul> <h2>Getting There<\/h2> <p>White Rocks is located between Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah. It\u2019s located in the very south-central portion of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument<\/a>. It\u2019s also at the base of the very southern end of the enormous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/kaiparowits-plateau-road-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kaiparowits Plateau<\/a>.<\/p> <p>The turnoff from US Hwy 89 to White Rocks is located near the small hamlet of Church Wells, which is 20 miles (32 km) west of Glen Canyon Dam (on Hwy 89) and 51 miles (81.5 km) from Kanab (also on Hwy 89). BLM Road 435, which is dirt, is found on the east end of Church Wells. This road ends in 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from Hwy 89 at two trailheads, both leading into White Rocks.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>WARNING:<\/strong><\/h3> Although this 3.5 mile-long road is normally in good condition, it passes through layers of dirt that can become muddy and impassable after heavy rain or an inch or two of snow. Since it\u2019s slopes down toward the trailhead, climbing back up to Hwy 89 may not be possible when the road is muddy.\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p>\n<h2>The Layout of White Rocks<\/h2> <p>White Rocks is a series of canyons, valleys and ridges. It is broken down into three distinctive areas. They are:<\/p> <ul> <li>The canyon or small valley of Zebra Hoodoo<\/li> <li>White Valley<\/li> <li>Sidestep Canyon<\/li> <\/ul> <h3>Map<\/h3> <p>If you choose to explore White Rocks on your own, we highly recommend utilizing a mapping app on your phone. In our opinion, a subscription to Gaia GPS is the best solution. Since phone reception is sketchy at White Rocks, you cannot expect to get an internet connection that will provide you with map data to see where you\u2019re located. Gaia GPS has the option to download a selected portion of their map (and other map layers) to your phone, so it will work off-line from the internet while you\u2019re deep in one of the canyons.<\/p> <p>One very helpful feature of Gaia GPS is the ability to plan your trip on your computer using Gaia GPS or Google Earth. You can mark the places (i.e., waypoints) that look interesting, and you want to visit, then save them to your Gaia GPS account. Then, when you open Gaia GPS on your phone, those waypoints will appear, which will make navigating to those places and making your hike much easier and giving you more confidence.<\/p> <p>Below is a map plotting places discussed in the article. Click on this ad to purchase Gaia GPS with our discount and we'll earn a few dollars to fund our next trip:<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/2efe71d3-5569-4c72-a69e-e9258881dd0a\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" \/><\/a><\/p> <p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>\n<template> Trailhead #1 Trailhead #2 Zebra hoodoo valley Solar electric plant built in 2015. Harper Dry Lake wildlife viewing area Lockhart Ranch Road intersects with road that heads north and crosses Harper Dry Lake.<br\/>Turn left (north) here. Approximate area of Black Canyon petroglyphs Stagecoach stop Wildlife \"guzzler\" Scout's Cove Bear left at this fork. Rock lichens & petroglyphs on the right. Inscription Canyon Return route via Opal Mountain Road End of trip at Hinkley Rd & Hwy 58 <\/template>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h2>What You'll See<\/h2> <p>White Rocks offers scenery and rock formations not commonly found anywhere else in North America. You can probably guess what color the scenery is \u2013 white. Along with the dominant, white-colored landscape are smatterings of different colors, some purplish bands in the middle, thin and wide bads of reddish-purple, thin streaks of green, along with layers of yellows, pinks, reds and browns at the tops of the ridges.<\/p> <p>White Rocks is bordered to the east by the large drainage of Wahweap Wash. Located on this east edge is the Wahweap Hoodoos. These are two clusters of very large toadstools that are found along Wahweap Wash but are not near the White Rocks area we cover in this article. Visting the Wahweap Hoodoos is not done from White Rocks but from a trailhead near the town of Big Water.<\/p> <h3>Are they Hoodoos are Toadstools?<\/h3> <p>In the video and in this article, you\u2019ll see that we use the term hoodoo and toadstool interchangeably. There are actually differences between a hoodoo and a toadstool.<\/p> <p>The term \u201choodoo\u201d is most commonly used in Bryce Canyon to describe the thousands of white and orange colored single pinnacles or rock formations sticking up vertically. They range in height from five to maybe a hundred feet. Hoodoos are typically rounded on top and consist of one geologic rock formation. In Bryce Canyon, that formation is the Claron Formation. Hoodoos can also be found in Goblin Valley State Park, also in Utah, and Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona.<\/p> <p>The term \u201ctoadstool\u201d is used to describe a geologic formation that is like a hoodoo but has a hardened cap rock at the top that is usually wider than the hoodoo portion (neck or base) of the toadstool. The cap rock looks like a hoodoo with a hat on top. It\u2019s likened to a \u201csitting stool for a toad\u201d, which is how it got its name. This cap rock is typically a color (often a dark color) that is much different than the hoodoo portion (often a lighter color). Toadstools are typically formed by a less-erosion-proof earthen layer below (the base) that is protected by a small, hardened rock layer above, known as a \u201ccap rock\u201d.<\/p> <p>Of all the travels we\u2019ve made throughout the Southwest, in our opinion, White Rocks has the highest concentration of toadstools. There\u2019s easily over 100 toadstools scattered around the White Rocks area.<\/p>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad.jpg\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENMtoad\" alt=\"Toadstools\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMtoad-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/> Toadstools\n<img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo.jpg\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo\" alt=\"Hoodoos\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMhoodoo-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/> Hoodoos\n<img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive.jpg\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive\" alt=\"Beehives\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive.jpg 500w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENMbeehive-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/> Beehives\n<p>[adrotate group=\"3\"]<\/p> <h2>The Two Trailheads<\/h2> <p>Near the end of BLM Road 435, you\u2019ll find a large cattle corral and a reservoir to store water for the cattle. One time when we were there, there was a group of classic cowboys that were busy managing their cattle.<\/p> <p>Just past the corral on the right is the first trailhead. This trailhead is used for accessing the bottom of White Valley and Sidestep Canyon.<\/p> <p>Past the first trailhead, the second trailhead is reached in a very short distance, which is where the road ends. This trailhead is used for accessing Zebra Hoodoo, the northern top of White Valley and Sidestep Canyon. On one occasion, we parked at this trailhead to start a big loop visiting all three areas in White Rocks and came out at the first trailhead, then walked back to our vehicle parked at the second trailhead.<\/p> <p>When hiking out of either trailhead, use the tall rock outcrop named Chimney Rock as a visual point of reference to help you determine where you\u2019re located in White Rocks. The hike we did once starting at the second trailhead and ending at the first, consisted of making a large counter-clockwise path around Chimney Rock, looking for it often to give us a point of reference.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p> <h2>Valley Containing Zebra Hoodoo<\/h2> <p>This small valley or wide canyon is a side drainage to the main drainage that the second trailhead sits in. After starting at the trailhead, it is easy to find an established trail (double track) that leads up the drainage. After walking up the main drainage about half a mile, bear right into the side drainage. The side drainage ends at Zebra Hoodoo at the very end with high cliffs on all three sides.<\/p> <p>About the last quarter mile of this drainage, the cliffs on both sides are full of very delicate, whimsical, and unusually shaped rock formations. Make sure to walk near these cliffs to study and look over these formations.<\/p> <p>The lone hoodoo in this drainage is Zebra Hoodoo and is located near the end of the drainage. Unlike many other hoodoos in the White Rocks area that are white with a dark brown top, Zebra has many horizontal reddish-brown stripes, hence its name. There are a few other hoodoos in the Sidestep Canyon area that are similar, but none stack up to the perfect hoodoo that is Zebra Hoodoo.<\/p> [caption id=\"attachment_7321\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2000\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksZebra-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a> Zebra Hoodoo, White Rocks, Utah[\/caption] <p>About a half mile south of Zebra Hoodoo, is a side canyon heading east with a cluster of about five hoodoos, along with yet more unique rock formations and layers. Near the end of this drainage, a few trails can be found that climb out of the drainage and head east towards the top end of White Valley\u2019s left fork. Just beware that these trails are steep, sandy, and are difficult to climb. Once at the top, there is a well-defined trail that can be found heading east.<\/p> <h2>White Valley<\/h2> <p>The first trailhead sits at the mouth of the main drainage exiting White Valley. This would make an obvious starting point to exploring the various features and branches of White Valley. However, there are other trails to see and access White Valley.<\/p> <p>Hiking up the White Valley drainage is an easy walk for the first mile. That\u2019s about when the 8-foot-high rancher\u2019s dam is encountered. Rumor has it that occasionally there is a ladder here to climb over the dam. If there isn\u2019t, it will need to be scaled which is easier with three or more people to help each other up. It can be bypassed by climbing the steep sloping sandstone on the east\/south side of the canyon. Naturally, going down the dam is much easier on the return trip.<\/p> [caption id=\"attachment_7360\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2560\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Rancher's dam\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1352\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-scaled.jpg 2560w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-300x158.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-1024x541.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-768x406.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-1536x811.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENdam-2048x1081.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a> Rancher's dam along hike to White Valley[\/caption] <p>About a third of a mile past the dam, the drainage of White Valley splits into two. This is the center of White Valley. It\u2019s fairly wide compared to other parts of the drainages, which is probably why most maps refer to this area as a \u201cvalley\u201d. All around this center is a vast sea of white Entrada Sandstone in various stages of erosion. Some of this terrain appears as actual hardened sandstone, whereas other terrain is comprised of softer mudstones that appear to be melting or oozing down from the cliffs above the drainage.<\/p> <p>Above this point, we\u2019ll refer to the two drainages as the right and left fork. Heading up the left fork, the drainage narrows quickly and turns into a canyon. Soon, it turns into a slot canyon, with its entrance guarded by a muddy pool. We didn\u2019t pass this point. Looking into the slot canyon, we saw more pools of muddy water. We noticed this when we visited in March, but hopefully in late fall after any monsoon activity, the slot canyon would probably be dry.<\/p> <p>Heading up the right fork passes through wider sections of White Valley, then the drainage narrows quickly into another slot canyon. There seems to be nowhere along here for water to pool, making it easier to walk through these narrows. In this slot canyon, we noticed many \u201ccandle wax drippings\u201d on the vertical walls of the canyon. This slot canyon was partially blocked by several rock falls halfway through where one would need to scramble over piles of rubble. Although we didn\u2019t explore this slot canyon all the way through, this drainage presumably ends at the top of the canyon and just on the other side of the top of Sidestep Canyon.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p> <h2>Sidestep Canyon<\/h2> <p>This area includes even more bizarre rock formations and scenery. Like White Valley, it consists of a canyon with two branches, with the branch almost touching the right fork of White Valley that includes the most interesting and bizarre landscapes, including an unusual slot canyon.<\/p> <p>There is a 4WD road that separates the top of Sidestep Canyon and the right fork of White Valley. This is a branch off the controversial BLM Road 431. It\u2019s controversial because it has been \u201cillegally\u201d closed to the public. Its closure is marked by a gate that is supposedly either open or closed with a sign indicating \u201cadministrative road\u201d and that entry is forbidden. However, we\u2019ve heard of plenty of people opening the gate and resuming their drive to both the Waheap Hoodoos and the tops of Sidestep Canyon and White Valley.\u00a0 Road 431 begins at Cottonwood Canyon Road (BLM Road 400) and the branch road starts off 431, 8 miles in. Heading south on the branch road reaches the top of Sidestep in 1.2 miles. We have never taken this road, so we don\u2019t know its condition, other than it is a rough road requiring high clearance 4WD. Bottom line, take this road knowing that there is a risk of being fined by BLM law enforcement.<\/p> <p>During two different hikes, we reached Sidestep Canyon two different ways. One was coming up from the second trailhead via the Zebra Hoodoo drainage explained earlier, and the other was from the first trailhead using a hidden, but well used trail, that skirted the south rim of White Valley.<\/p> <p>From the top of the fork of Sidestep Canyon closest to White Valley (closest to the branch road mentioned above), one can walk along its edge to admire the landscapes below. A little less than a hundred feet below the canyon\u2019s rim is a broad shelf that can be seen on both sides of the canyon. Exploring this shelf reveals a moonscape of rock formations and toadstools. Looking down to where the deeper slot canyon sits are hundreds of mushroom-shaped rocks protruding out of the canyon.<\/p> <p>Getting from that shelf, then down into the slot canyon itself is difficult. We bypassed this whole area by descending a less steep slope in the main part of the canyon. From there, we walked up both forks of Sidestep Canyon, with each fork revealing its own set of unique landscapes and rock formations.<\/p> <p>Below the confluence of the two forks, a quarter-mile-long side canyon heads north from the main drainage that is interesting to explore. The left fork of this side canyon ends where the largest toadstool we\u2019ve ever seen is encountered. This formation is just over 100 feet tall! To me, it was very intimidating.<\/p> <h2>Pictures:<\/h2>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#2c2219 25%,#4080ca 25% 50%,#7c99c5 50% 75%,#281e12 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4f4a47 25%,#9aa6c0 25% 50%,#574636 50% 75%,#c0aa9d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#695d47 25%,#978a79 25% 50%,#7f816b 50% 75%,#a48e76 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#2e1d09 25%,#674c31 25% 50%,#9e9a81 50% 75%,#5b5547 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM1\" alt=\"Zebra hoodoo area - Zebra hoodoo on right\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM1\" alt=\"Zebra hoodoo area - Zebra hoodoo on right\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Zebra hoodoo area - Zebra hoodoo on right <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#708cbe 25%,#3f1a00 25% 50%,#4d8dd7 50% 75%,#3684d7 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a09986 25%,#756452 25% 50%,#5388ce 50% 75%,#6396d8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#574c30 25%,#7e6d53 25% 50%,#724e34 50% 75%,#5998df 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cfc0ad 25%,#433323 25% 50%,#715d44 50% 75%,#565246 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM2\" alt=\"Toadstools at White Rocks\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM2\" alt=\"Toadstools at White Rocks\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Toadstools at White Rocks <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#685841 25%,#6e5131 25% 50%,#37342f 50% 75%,#413e2d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#4d4d59 25%,#3f3a36 25% 50%,#e7d6c6 50% 75%,#3f3722 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#564c4b 25%,#c6cacb 25% 50%,#665d40 50% 75%,#62584f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b7b7b7 25%,#050706 25% 50%,#2b2213 50% 75%,#867d6e 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM3\" alt=\"Unusual rock formations near Zebra hoodoo\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM3\" alt=\"Unusual rock formations near Zebra hoodoo\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Unusual rock formations near Zebra hoodoo <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#c4bcb1 25%,#133771 25% 50%,#868eb3 50% 75%,#415e8a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#504438 25%,#b9ada1 25% 50%,#9a928f 50% 75%,#bbbbbb 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9c988d 25%,#a49a8e 25% 50%,#b6ad9e 50% 75%,#645341 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7f7b78 25%,#5b5241 25% 50%,#826e63 50% 75%,#a39990 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM4\" alt=\"Sidestep Canyon in White Rocks\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM4\" alt=\"Sidestep Canyon in White Rocks\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Sidestep Canyon in White Rocks <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#123d68 25%,#8b6842 25% 50%,#1e4b75 50% 75%,#1d4e79 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cbb88d 25%,#9a8351 25% 50%,#644b37 50% 75%,#456e8e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#a88c76 25%,#cfb195 25% 50%,#d4c7b4 50% 75%,#271900 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#e6c8ae 25%,#c0b9a6 25% 50%,#543b25 50% 75%,#90825b 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM5\" alt=\"There is some color other than white at White Rocks\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENM5\" alt=\"There is some color other than white at White Rocks\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksGSENM5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> There is some color other than white at White Rocks\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Help fund our next trip and your next adventure by purchasing a subscription to Gaia GPS. We will receive a small commission from your purchase.<\/p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/click.php?tool_type=ml&amp;merchant_link_id=8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5&amp;website_id=cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/classic.avantlink.com\/gbi\/bd4517b4-b0f2-4660-8208-2ade3a1fdb4c\/8988a2bc-2458-428a-a722-9a326e4941c5\/a24ae5c1-c37a-45ea-b3f8-5480cc46d529\/cb6aacf1-7563-4b97-8b5d-48e9519fe173\/image.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n<p><br \/> <br \/> <ins style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7400034802659664\" data-ad-slot=\"8100341909\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins><br \/> <\/p>\n\n<h2>Cross-bedding<\/h2> <p>As learned in the video, most of the White Rocks area sits in the Entrada Sandstone formation. Like the Navajo Sandstone formation, famously exposed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/?s=zion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zion National Park<\/a>, the Entrada Sandstone sports various forms of what\u2019s referred to as <em>cross-bedding<\/em>, also known as <em>cross-stratification<\/em>.<\/p> <p>Remember that both the Navajo and the Entrada are remnants of enormous ancient Jurassic-aged sand dunes. As can be witnessed at modern-day sand dunes, such as nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes west of Kanab, the wind shifts the sands up and over shallow slopes of accumulated sand. This creates many mounds on the surface of the sand dunes and is how sand dunes are created. When the wind shifts direction, those slopes are formed in another direction and are formed on top of the previous slope or mound of sand. Below is a diagram of how these mounds are created:<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"215\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding.jpg 688w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding-300x94.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p> <p>Here\u2019s an example of classic cross-bedding that is common in Zion or the Escalante Canyons section of GSENM:<\/p> [caption id=\"attachment_7325\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2000\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2.jpg\" alt=\"Cross-bedding example in Zion National Park\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/WhiteRocksCross-bedding2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a> Cross-bedding example in Zion National Park[\/caption] <p>As more sand piles up and gets higher, the various mounds below it becomes buried. In both the Navajo and Entrada, these mounds piled up, then were eroded away by wind and water many times, for a very long period of time. Finally, the environment changed, and other types of rock were deposited on top of these buried sand dunes and were solidified or petrified, eventually creating <em>sandstone<\/em> from the previous loose sand.<\/p> <p>In current times (the last several thousand years), as water erosion dug deeply into the sandstone layers, they revealed these now petrified sand mounds with the lines indicating the ancient slopes of the sand dunes. Cross-bedding patterns can be found in the Navajo Sandstone throughout the Colorado Plateau.<\/p> <p>However, in the White Rocks area, when the Entrada eroded, it revealed cross-bedding that looks very different in the three areas, probably because of different material that was deposited during the age when the sand dunes were forming. In the Navajo, it was mostly 100% sand. In the Entrada, the majority of what was being deposited in the locality around White Rocks was sand, maybe 70%, but there were other types of rock material included.<\/p> <p>Walking up the drainage from the first trailhead and towards White Valley, the white sandstone on the right side of the canyon has cross-bedding that appears very similar to what\u2019s found in Zion. Further into White Valley, the cross-bedding changes. Often, it consists of flat layers, but also has angled layers that dip in different directions, similar to the shape of those sand mounds. However, what\u2019s different is that there are hard packed layers interlaced with softer layers. These hard packed layers protrude out because they eroded more slowly than the software layers. Over in Sidestep Canyon, this effect is increased, where those hard packed layers are more like many fins sticking out of the sides of the canyon.<\/p> <p>Examining all these geologic effects is why it takes a long time to walk through the White Rocks area. One really needs to take the time to examine all the canyon walls and surfaces to really appreciate the uniqueness of geologic forces that occurred at White Rocks.<\/p> <p>Examples of the different styles of crossbedding at White Rocks:<\/p>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#074693 25%,#0a52a4 25% 50%,#2c2723 50% 75%,#3a3024 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#817f73 25%,#8d8779 25% 50%,#423f38 50% 75%,#686763 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c3c0b9 25%,#d8d1c9 25% 50%,#d2cecd 50% 75%,#484540 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#cac5c1 25%,#d5ccc3 25% 50%,#c0bcb0 50% 75%,#5c584d 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross1-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross1\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross1-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross1\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><\/noscript> Example of normal crossbedding in Entrada Sandstone <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4c4032 25%,#bbbcae 25% 50%,#ccc5bb 50% 75%,#a9a298 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#8d8582 25%,#302011 25% 50%,#c8c5bc 50% 75%,#c7c3b7 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#574c3a 25%,#161712 25% 50%,#5f4d37 50% 75%,#b4aa9e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b3b1b2 25%,#736354 25% 50%,#beaaac 50% 75%,#7d7568 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross2-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross2\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross2-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross2\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><\/noscript> Example of different crossbedding in White Valley area <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#0a295f 25%,#0c2f67 25% 50%,#a1a7c1 50% 75%,#273f6f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#b6afa7 25%,#215086 25% 50%,#66635c 50% 75%,#33271b 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#635f54 25%,#999687 25% 50%,#a49d93 50% 75%,#41342c 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#988e8c 25%,#938b7e 25% 50%,#9f9685 50% 75%,#9b8a82 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross3-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross3\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENcross3-1024x683-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"WhiteRocksGSENcross3\" alt=\"Entrada sandstone crossbedding\"><\/noscript> Example of unusual crossbedding in Sidestep Canyon\n<p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p> <h3>The Highly Mineralized Rock Outcrop<\/h3> <p>When watching the video, you may recall seeing a very colorful rock outcrop, consisting of brilliant orange and purplish colors, at the canyon rim near the top of White Valley\u2019s right fork. At first examination, this appears to be a very highly mineralized outcropping that oxidized and created the colors seen in the video. But is that how these colors were really created?<\/p> [caption id=\"attachment_7381\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2000\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-300x195.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-1024x666.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-768x499.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENoutcrop-1536x998.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a> Highly mineralized or colorful rock outcrop[\/caption] <p>After discussing this outcrop with other people, studying pictures of other geologic features where odd colors like this formed, and knowing that there was no other feature like this found anywhere in White Rocks, it could be a something real special. It may be the remains of a geyser or fumarole (steam vent).<\/p> <p>When geysers erupt, not only do they bring up material from deep below, way below the Entrada Sandstone formation, they spray the surrounding surface with hot liquid material that stains the existing rock. This eruption may have occurred several times until the volatile material was all erupted and spent, creating different rock staining events. Mild staining can be observed all other unrelated rock near the outcrop.<\/p> <p>Without closer examination of this outcrop and without an experienced geologist, we can only provide rough guesses as to how this was created.<\/p> <h3>The Uniform Horizontal Layers<\/h3> <p>White Rocks is on the Colorado Plateau. If you\u2019re familiar with what that is, it\u2019s a large area that covers the eastern half of Utah, much of northern Arizona, portions of western Colorado and the northwest corner of New Mexico. It\u2019s where most of the spectacular scenic places of interest exist in the Southwest.<\/p> <p>This region defined as the Colorado Plateau consists mainly of organized horizontal (flat) layers of rock strata. Regions surrounding the Colorado Plateau are not organized and flat. Instead, they\u2019re upheaved, mixed up and very random. They got that way through various tectonic forces.<\/p> <p>The border between the organized Colorado Plateau geologic province or ecosystem and neighboring provinces with jumbled up rock layers is very evident around St. George Utah. See our article on the Triple Junction of Southwest Utah:<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9Tfrpo94vKY\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/YouTubeUniqueLandscapes.jpg\" title=\"YouTubeUniqueLandscapes\" alt=\"Click image to watch video\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/YouTubeUniqueLandscapes.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/YouTubeUniqueLandscapes-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/> <\/a> Click image to watch video\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: left;\">Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: center;\">[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<p>In White Rocks, specifically above the eastern rim of the left fork of White Valley, one can view and marvel at a miniature demonstration of what the Colorado Plateau is all about. Looking east at one point, a view, shown in the picture below, reveals various layers of material within the Entrada Sandstone and the overlaying Naturita Formation, formally classified as the Dakota Formation, that are all relatively flat (parallel to the Earth\u2019s surface).<\/p> [caption id=\"attachment_7361\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2000\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers.jpg 2000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-1024x682.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/WhiteRocksGSENlayers-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a> See callout legend (A-E) below - click image to enlarge[\/caption] <p>Looking from the bottom up, one can see the various \u201cmembers\u201d of the Entrada Sandstone Formation. These members each consist of different \u201cversions\u201d of Entrada Sandstone. Across the Southwest, where the Entrada is exposed, geologists have identified about 12 different members. No more than three or four members are exposed in one locality. In the White Rocks locality, supposedly three are exposed.<\/p> <p>Regardless of geology involved or these different members, this scene is very impressive. It shows many of the layers or bands of rocks, along with their unique colors, that are found all over White Rocks. Some of these bands are the stripes that make up Zebra Hoodoo and other hoodoos found in Sidestep Canyon.<\/p> <p>Using the labels in the above picture, they point out:<\/p> <ul> <li><strong>A:<\/strong> Cross-bedding of the Entrada<\/li> <li><strong>B:<\/strong> Purple deposits found in White Valley<\/li> <li><strong>C:<\/strong> Reddish stripe found in Zebra Hoodoo<\/li> <li><strong>D:<\/strong> The thin green stripe towards the top of the Entrada that\u2019s found in places<\/li> <li><strong>E:<\/strong> The yellow and pink rocks on top<\/li> <\/ul> <p>\u201cE\u201d is the cap rock of the Naturita Formation (not part of the Entrada) that can be seen at the top. The Naturita is made of tougher material than the Entrada. This is most likely the source of the \u201chats\u201d on many of the toadstools.<\/p> <p>[adrotate group=\"11\"]<\/p> <h3>Photography<\/h3> <p>The potential for capturing artistic photography at White Rocks is endless. During our travels to White Rocks, we\u2019ve discussed it might be possible to open an art gallery that consists of nothing but pictures of White Rocks, where each picture would showcase something different. Some of the scenes are so abstract and surreal that it would be easy to meet that goal.<\/p> <p>The easiest place to access White Rocks when carrying a lot of photography equipment is the small valley of Zebra Hoodoo. When photographing the cliffs surrounding this valley, it is important to capture its scale, such as using a person or something recognizable. Because the cliffs contain many intricate and whimsical features, a moderate zoom lens will come in handy to capture the detail. A wider-angle lens will miss the details.<\/p> <p>White Valley contains a different environment and landscape to photograph compared to Zebra. It is also easy to access with the exception of getting past the rancher\u2019s dam. It\u2019s also a longer hike (about 3-5 miles). Once can easily spend a lot more time in White Valley compared to Zebra.<\/p> <p>Like White Valley with its different landscapes, Sidestep Canyon has again a whole different landscape profile. It has more nooks and crannies to explore for finding that unique and perfect image. However, it\u2019s certainly more difficult to access areas within Sidestep Canyon. Plus, it\u2019s a longer hike, about 6-8 miles. We recommend carrying a lighter camera and less or lighter equipment.<\/p> <p>Lighting can be a challenge in different parts of White Rocks. Naturally, the various slot canyons can be dark. But the upside to the white Entrada is that it bounces a lot of light into darker areas. In the Zebra drainage, mornings are better for photographing the west cliff faces, whereas the more intricate east cliff face doesn\u2019t get exposed to the sun until late morning. Various portions of White Valley and Sidestep Canyon are exposed to the sun most of the day. In the tighter places within Sidestep Canyon, the light constantly changes throughout the day. When photographing the narrower canyons, it would be best to visit the same places at different times of the day to capture the best lighting.<\/p>\n<p>[adrotate group=\"5\"]<\/p> <h2>Comments<\/h2> <p>Questions? Would you like to provide what you know about White Rocks and its geology? Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6jt-yRosxE0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. 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