About 50 million years ago, the vast area at your feet was covered by Lake Claron. Layers of sediment formed below the freshwater lake for about 20 million years. As the water receded, the sediment was exposed and subject to erosion from wind and rain plus about 200 ice/thaw cycles a year. Left behind are rows of tall, slender pinnacles rising above the canyon floor. They are called hoodoos. The brilliant red and orange hues were created by iron oxide minerals. The white capstones are a harder limestone that is less susceptible to weathering. Alternative names for hoodoos are fairy chimneys, tent rocks and earth pyramids. Bryce Canyon National Park has the highest concentration of hoodoos in the world.
