In 1992 we chose Navajo Guided Tour Service, which at that time claimed to be the only family independently owned and operated tour service in Monument Valley. There was a van-full of us, six tourists plus two guides. This tour covered 28 miles…Read More

In 1992 we chose Navajo Guided Tour Service, which at that time claimed to be the only family independently owned and operated tour service in Monument Valley. There was a van-full of us, six tourists plus two guides. This tour covered 28 miles lasting about 3 hours. Devon (Diné, local), and Nathan (Hoopa, Northern California) were our guides. The fun they were having getting the van to keep on going and ribbing each other in the process was contagious. As we were laughing, grit blowing in through the open windows accumulated in our mouths, down our throats, and just about anywhere it was able to gather. Our youthful guides enjoyed telling us about the famous rocks in between jokes. They encouraged us as we hiked up to mystical petroglyphs, numerous arches, and famous viewpoints. In Grandmother Suzie Yazzie’s hogan, we were privileged to watch this respected Diné elder card and weave sheep’s wool, while the process was explained to us by our guides. We’d seen photos of a much younger Suzie in years past at the Gouldings Trading Post and Museum. The tour culminated with the sun sinking into the horizon at Artists’ Point. We flopped into bed that night after refreshing and very needed showers at Mitten View Campground, dreaming about rocks. Navajo Guided Tour Service is still listed, addressed at the Monument Valley Visitor Center, 928/727-3287.    Close

Monument Valley sits at the top of a wide anticline, the Monument Upwarp. The layers of sandstone, siltstone and shale were desposted and buried here millions of years ago, before the land gave way to uplifting and folding. The reddish hues in the sand and…Read More

Monument Valley sits at the top of a wide anticline, the Monument Upwarp. The layers of sandstone, siltstone and shale were desposted and buried here millions of years ago, before the land gave way to uplifting and folding. The reddish hues in the sand and rock of the valley are due to iron oxide and the the black streaks which decorate the rock and known as desert varnish are manganese oxide. Eroded by wind and rain, soft red shale undermines the stronger sandstone, producing the many buttes and pinnacles. The buttes and pinnacles of Monument Valley date back 270 million years. Cedar Mesa Sandstone also make up the formations that are known the world around. The base of the mesas are usually composed of Halgaito shale. Volcanic activity occurred in areas surrounding the Uplift, releasing molten rock from underneath. Remnants of these volcanoes are scattered in the distance. Alhambra Rock is another igneous rock which protrudes above the surface north of Monument Pass.

There are very few trees in the area because of the extreme dryness and lack of moisture, but an occasional juniper will appear near the edges of the valley. Purple Sage is prominent in the area and brings contrast against the deep red earth colors. During the rainy season, Cliffrose, Rabbitbrush and Snakewood can be seen growing. With plantlife being sparce, there is less wildlife in the Monument than in other parts of the Colorado Plateau.