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There is actually a tenuous path to the left, which may seem to peter out (especially after a rain). But if you persist, you'll be able to find a fairly easy way up in either direction. As you climb, you'll start to see that part of the red member -- or strata -- of the Carmel Formation has eroded to a flat shelf. This would normally imply that it's somewhat hard, but in fact it felt somewhat spongy to the foot. Just another indication that the geology is a bit odd here. It's fairly easy to see the white layer below erodes in very complex ways. This is pretty classic badlands. For those even remotely interested, the Carmel Formation is named for Mt. Carmel, up in the San Rafael Swell west of Green River. You have to climb through this when you drive Interstate 70. |
