Cliff and Aututmn Trees, Canyon de Chelly, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona October 2008

© 2008 Above Tree Line Images

Aspen and cottonwoods survive on water from the Chinle Wash, an amalgam of the waters from different streams that originate in the Chuska Mountains east of the monument. These waters cut through a variety of sedimentary rock to form two canyons, de Chelly and del Muerto, that comprise the National Monument and originally provided the Navajo town of Chinle with water. Note the pines that derive enough water from the seeps in the seams of the cliff. Canyon de Chelly is jointly operated by the U.S. Park Service and the Navajo Nation.