Utah's Route 24 from Hanksville passes Caineville Reef, pictured, before reaching the Capitol Reef National Park.
The strata dates back about 80 million years to the Cretaceous period. Other strata in the neighboring Capitol Reef, 3 miles west, reach up to 270 million years old, dating back to the Permian period.
The formation of the reef is thought to have begun between 1-6 million years ago through erosion primarily by water flows. Lack of vegetation on the slopes is due to bentonite-rich clays.
The term "reef" refers to a rocky outcropping preventing direct travel across it.
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