Gorgeous Views of Navajo Sandstone at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Beautiful views of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a U.S. National Monument, protecting 1.9 million acres (roughly 3,000 square miles) in southern Utah. Referred to as "slick rock," the Lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone crops out as hard, hummocky rock. The Navajo Sandstone was originally deposited in an eolian (wind blown) environment composed of large sand dunes, similar to portions of the modern Sahara Desert. The pioneers found this area to be extremely challenging to try to pass in their journeys westward. I can see why!