Even the most casual observer will soon note that not all of the canyon’s [rocks] have been equally affected by erosion. Indeed, it is the nature of this differential erosion that gives Palo Duro Canyon the rugged sculptured appearance that accounts for much of its beauty.
Visitors to Palo Duro Canyon commonly ask why the [rock formations] are so diversely shaped. The answer to this question lies in the [rocks] themselves. Because the various rock [strata] are of unequal hardness, they erode at different rates of speed. Hence, the harder, more resistant rocks, such as the [sandstones] and conglomerates of the Trujillo Formation, form the shelves, ledges, and “caps” of the rock sculptures. The Lighthouse ([fig. 31]) and other pedestal rocks ([fig. 16]) are good examples of land-forms produced by differential erosion. The “[hoodoos]” mentioned earlier are also the products of this type of erosion (figs. [16] and [20]).
Fig. 20. [Talus] slopes (arrow) are well developed on the east side of Capitol Peak and in places obscure the Quartermaster [red beds]. Note the “[hoodoo]” at the south (left) end of the structure.
Softer [rocks] like [shales] and clay are more readily eroded and they normally form slopes rather than cliffs or ledges ([fig. 12]). Grooves, recesses, and caves have also developed in some of the less resistant rocks such as the shales and [gypsum] beds of the Quartermaster [Formation]. Catarina Cave ([fig. 27]) which has formed in the red and white shales of the Spanish Skirts ([fig. 26]) is a good example of this type of feature. Caves of this type afforded protection to both man and wild animals since the dawn of history, for their remains have been found in a number of similar caves.
Thus, within a relatively short time—geologically speaking—the familiar land-shaping processes described above have joined forces to provide Texas with one of its most remarkable natural attractions. But interestingly enough, the same geologic processes that created these unusual [formations] are busily at work destroying them. As time passes and erosion progresses, the caps of the pedestals are worn away and the underlying [shales] crumble and are washed into the valley below. Yet even as the old land-forms are being destroyed, wind, water, ice, and man are attacking the canyon walls to produce still more of these interesting erosional remnants.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE AT PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK
The visitor to Palo Duro Canyon can choose from a number of recreational and educational activities. Moreover, regardless of whether one visits for a few hours to picnic along the banks of the river, or spends a week at one of the well-kept campgrounds, the visit will probably be both pleasant and rewarding. In the pages that follow there is a brief description of certain of the park landmarks and some of the more popular attractions within the canyon. The numbers in parentheses refer to numbers which designate these places on the map of Palo Duro Canyon ([fig. 2], pp. [4]-5). Hopefully, this information will help one to plan his visit to the canyon and thereby make his stay more enjoyable and worthwhile.
Park Entrance (1).—
The first stop in the park is the gate at the ranger station ([fig. 21]). Here one pays a modest admission fee and receives literature and information about the park. The park is open every day of the year, but the entrance gates close at sundown.