For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by rocks. Perhaps inspired by my dad, a once Geologist who seemed to narrate every Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic structure we saw during our family vacations, I can't seem to pass up an interesting rock formation or stone without stopping to take pictures. And, of course, now living in Wyoming presents an endless assortment of rock types, sizes, shapes and colors. From the smallest pebble to the largest mountain peak, Wyoming is like a geology museum that surrounds you on every hike, drive and ski adventure.
In case you wonder why there are sea shells embedded in the cliffs surrounding the Teton Mountain Range, this area was more than once part of a vast ocean, which deposited minerals and expired marine life over millions of years to create the fascinating sedimentary cliffs rising from the canyon floors. The igneous masses that would eventually become Wyoming's mountain ranges were produced by ancient volcanos, like the one that collapsed to form the Yellowstone Caldera. That molten rock remains under our feet today, producing the hydro-thermal effects still shape the rock formations of Yellowstone. Water and ice carved the mountains and valleys, leaving behind the most amazing array of formations and shapes. It's as if some giant ancient sculptor walked through these mountains, carving the precursors of the Egyptian Sphinxes, Aztec pyramids and Renaissance sculptures.
So next time you are on a hike, don't forget to stop and look at the rocks.
