West and East Mitten Buttes, Sandstone summits in Monument Valley, Arizona.
The West and East Mitten Buttes are iconic sandstone formations in Monument Valley that rise dramatically from the desert floor. Their distinctive shape resembles two massive mittens with inward-facing thumbs, a characteristic created by millions of years of wind and water erosion.
These formations began as sedimentary layers deposited in an ancient seabed millions of years ago, followed by tectonic uplift. Wind and water gradually carved away softer rock, leaving the harder sandstone peaks standing as they appear today.
The Navajo Nation regards these formations as sacred ancestral sites where traditional ceremonies and spiritual practices take place throughout the year.
These formations are best viewed along the Valley Drive, a roughly 17-mile loop road with multiple pullouts for photos and observation. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best lighting for appreciating the formations' shape and color.
During the spring and fall equinoxes, the shadow of one butte aligns perfectly with the other in a rare astronomical phenomenon. Photographers travel specifically to capture this fleeting visual effect, which occurs only for a few days each year.
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