Deposited
Permian Period (245 to 286 million years ago)
Depositional Environment
Near-shore sand dunes interfingering with periodic floods that brought dark red sediments from the ancient Uncompahgre Mountains.
Appearance
Red and white layered sandstones forming cliffs, domes and spires.
Examples
Spires and canyons in the Needles and Maze Districts of Canyonlands.