Last updated: February 27, 2022
Place
Scenic Drive Stop 4
NPS / E. Van Ness
The cliffs are dotted with numerous holes of various shapes and sizes, called solution cavities. Sandstone is made of sand grains cemented together with minerals, commonly calcite or silica. Some sections are strongly cemented forming harder rock, while other sections are weakly cemented. Rain, ice, and wind erode softer areas more quickly, creating cavities in the cliff face. These holes only form in areas exposed to weathering, there are no holes hidden within the rock, below the surface.
High in the distant cliffs, you can see Cassidy Arch, named for Butch Cassidy. This train robbing, cattle rustling outlaw is thought to have used the nearby area as a hideout. Capitol Reef is home to natural bridges and arches. What is the difference? A natural bridge is formed by flowing water and an arch is formed by, well…anything else. In this case, Cassidy Arch formed at intersecting fractures in the rock. These weaknesses in the rock likely led to wall collapse.
High in the distant cliffs, you can see Cassidy Arch, named for Butch Cassidy. This train robbing, cattle rustling outlaw is thought to have used the nearby area as a hideout. Capitol Reef is home to natural bridges and arches. What is the difference? A natural bridge is formed by flowing water and an arch is formed by, well…anything else. In this case, Cassidy Arch formed at intersecting fractures in the rock. These weaknesses in the rock likely led to wall collapse.