Mesa Arch is perched on the eastern edge of the Island in the Sky mesa with views that extend across Buck Canyon, the White Rim, Colorado River and La Sal Mountains. The arch was formed by millennia of freeze-thaw cycles that chipped away at underlying rock to create the gap we see today.

Water expands as it freezes, placing pressure on surrounding rock; soft rock - like sandstone - is particularly vulnerable

Looking east over the Colorado River gorge and La Sal Mountains from Mesa Arch

Over 20 distinct rock layers comprise the landscape of Canyonlands National Park

Sun rays pass through less atmosphere at sunset, reducing the scattering of color-based molecules

The oldest rocks in Canyonlands date back 320 million years to the Paradox Formation

Until about 15 million years ago, most of the canyonlands area was near sea level

Northeast views over Buck Canyon include Washer Woman Arch and Monster Tower

Sedimentary rocks are composed of sand grains glued together by silica or calcium carbonate

A short trail runs through brush flats and slickrock benches to the base of Mesa Arch