Cathedral Rock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Rock |
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| Cathedral Rock | |
Cathedral Rock at sunset
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,967 ft (1,514 m) NGVD 29 |
| Prominence | 284 ft (87 m) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Arizona
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| Location | Yavapai County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Sedona |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | ahlaam |
Cathedral Rock is a stunning natural rock formation in Sedona, Arizona, USA. It's famous for its unique shape and beautiful red color. Many people love to photograph this amazing sight. You can find it in the Coconino National Forest in Yavapai County, Arizona. It stands tall at about 4,967 feet (1,514 m) above sea level.
Contents
Exploring Cathedral Rock: A Popular Trail
The Cathedral Rock trail (also known as USFS Trail #170) is a favorite for hikers. It's a short but steep climb. The trail starts from the Back O' Beyond trailhead. It leads to the "saddle points" or "gaps" in the rock. These gaps offer amazing views of the area.
How Cathedral Rock Was Formed
Cathedral Rock is made from a type of rock called sandstone. This sandstone is part of the Schnebly Hill formation. It formed during the Permian period, millions of years ago.
Ancient Sand Dunes and Seas
The sandstone comes from ancient coastal sand dunes. These dunes were near the edge of a very old ocean called the Pedregosa Sea. Over time, the sand hardened into rock.
Clues in the Rock
If you look closely along the lower part of the Cathedral Rock trail, you can see "ripple marks." These are wavy patterns in the rock. They show where water once flowed over the sand. You might also spot a dark, straight line of rock called a dike in the first saddle. This dike is made of basalt, a different type of rock.
A Mix-Up in Names
For a while, Cathedral Rock was called "Court House Rock" on some old maps. At the same time, a nearby formation, Courthouse Butte, was called "Church House Rock." This caused a lot of confusion! Eventually, the names were sorted out to what they are today.
Images for kids
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Cathedral Rock from Red Rock Crossing
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These saddle points or "gaps" may be reached via the steep Cathedral Rock trail.
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Cathedral Rock from Red Rock State Park
