Deposited:
Permian Period (245 to 286 million years ago)
Depositional Environment:
Near-shore sand dunes intermingling with periodic floods that brought dark red sediments from the ancient Uncompahgre Mountains
Appearance:
Red and white layered sandstones forming cliffs, domes and spires
Examples:
Spires and canyons in the Needles and Maze Districts of Canyonlands