On the next curve to the east the road cuts entirely through the red Chinle Formation, which here has a measured thickness of 103 feet.[37] From the base of the Chinle to about the creek crossing the road cuts expose the old Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, which here have a purple hue.
BALANCED ROCK
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At the southernmost loop of the road is a parking area for viewing Balanced Rock. The photograph for the frontispiece was taken from the hillside near the foot of the monolith.
HISTORIC TRAILS VIEW
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After the road turns north, we again cross the entire Chinle Formation, then penetrate the Wingate Sandstone through the two tunnels (turn on your lights) shown on all the maps and in figures [33] and [44]. Just beyond the highest tunnel (turn off your lights) we reach Historic Trails View, with a sign noting the early expeditions that traversed the area. West from the parking area, but better yet by walking to the westernmost curve, may be seen the northern part of the Black Ridge Trail.
FRUITA CANYON, looking northeast from point on Rim Rock Drive above head of canyon. Dark Proterozoic rocks floor the canyon, above which are the slopes of the red Chinle Formation and the cliffs of Wingate Sandstone capped by the lower resistant beds of the Kayenta Formation. Beyond the Grand Valley are the dark Book Cliffs and the more distant, light-colored Roan Cliffs, which are shown more clearly in [figure 48]. (Fig. 45)