Natural Bridge | California Photo Spot

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Natural Bridge by Jonathan Cook-Fisher
Natural Bridge by Jonathan Cook-Fisher

Natural Bridge is a stunning geologic formation tucked way in a rugged Death Valley canyon. Different from the smooth sandstone arches found in Utah, Natural Bridge is interesting because it is made of a jagged rocky alluvial deposit (rock, gravel, and sediment washed to the base of an ancient mountain and cemented together). Hikers who continue beyond the bridge up the canyon will encounter more examples of interesting Death Valley geology including dry falls, vertical chutes, and hanging canyons. The bridge rises approximately 35 ft (11 m) above the canyon floor and is about 35 ft (11 m) thick. Although rain is infrequent in Death Valley, over thousands of years, flash flood events have carved the canyon which Natural Bridge spans today. Natural Bridge parking area and trail head is accessed via a Natural Bridge Road (a small dirt roads) off of Badwater Rd. (Death Valley National Park, California, USA)