Comb Ridge, Sandstone monocline in San Juan County, United States.
Comb Ridge is a sandstone ridge stretching roughly 80 miles from north to south through southeastern Utah and northeastern Arizona. The formation rises prominently above the surrounding landscape and shapes the character of the entire region.
Mormon pioneers crossed the region in 1880 on their journey via the Hole-in-the-Rock route to Bluff, seeking passages through the steep formation. This difficult crossing left a mark on local history that remains relevant today.
Ancient Puebloan communities left numerous archaeological traces along the ridge, including cliff dwellings and petroglyphs visible today. These sites reveal how earlier inhabitants made use of the steep terrain and established their homes there.
Visitors can explore the region along various routes, some requiring permits from land management authorities while others remain freely accessible. It is important to check beforehand which areas you can enter and what rules apply.
This formation is the only known location in North America where tritylodont fossils have been discovered, an extinct mammal group from the Cretaceous period. This paleontological rarity makes the site particularly valuable to scientists and fossil enthusiasts.
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