Vermilion Cliffs
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The Verlimilion Cliffs are the second "step" up in the five-step Grand Staircase of the Colorado Plateau. Reddish or vermilion-colored cliffs are about 165 to 200 million years old and are found along U.S. Highway 89 near Kanab, Utah (and near Navajo Bridge, AZ). They are made up of deposited silt and desert dunes, cemented by infiltrated carbonates and intensely colored by red iron oxide and other minerals, particulary bluish manganese.
Highway 89 is here atop the yellow rocks capping the first step of the series, the Chocolate Cliffs and will turn east (to the right) upon entry to the valley below.
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