While hiking in Zion National Park or in other parts of the Colorado Plateau, we can see lots of evidence of cross-bedding, and on some rock faces, jointing is also added to create a cross-hatching effect.

West Rim Trail

The sandstones of the area are the result of vast sand dunes which covered an area larger than the Sahara Desert. As the sands were blown into layers, that layer weathered a bit before the next layer was deposited. The orientation of each layer varied with the wind direction. Further weathering has defined the differing layers and will continue to do so. As the weight of the sands and rocks built up, the effects of the weight and chemical bonding from dissolved minerals built the vertical sandstone cliffs of the Zion area.

The horizontal cracks were then continuously weathered by winds blowing sand particles through the grooves over thousands of years.

The effects of rains and melting snows has also carved the rock faces. Rains wash down the slopes and follow natural cracks, further scouring them with sand particles. In winter, the water freezes and expands, then melts, widening the cracks. This process is called jointing.

One famous cross-bedded/jointed spot is Checkerboard Mesa in East Zion.

Checkerboard Mesa

A closer look at the cross-bedding is an easy walk to the base of the mesa.

the foot of Checkerboard Mesa

The slickrock offers great hiking and many lessons in geology for those willing to explore.