The Wingate Sandstone is one of the thickest rock layers at
Colorado National Monument and also produces its most iconic features.
This golden-orange rock often breaks off in enormous vertical sheets,
forming most of the cliff faces. However, the relationship with the
rock layers below and above the Wingate is what truly makes this dramatic landscape possible.
Below the Wingate Sandstone is a soft, dark-red layer that erodes more easily.
As it wears away, the thick layers above get too heavy to support, and down they go!
Above the Wingate is a harder, often thinner layer that forms a protective cap on many of the named
rock features, like Independence Monument. Without this protection, the Wingate erodes
more quickly into more rounded shapes, as seen in the Coke Ovens.
Like these rock layers, sometimes too much weight knocks us down, but other times, having something
to protect us helps us stand tall. We can find peace in knowing that
life’s weathering events ultimately shape our most beautiful selves.
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