The Three Patriarchs at Zion

The Three Patriarchs are massive cliffs consisting of Lower Jurassic-age formations, including (from bottom to top): the Moenave Formation, the Kayenta Formation, and the massive Navajo Sandstone. These Jurassic-aged cliff-forming formations overlie older slope-forming formations along river level: the Moenkopi Formation (Lower Triassic) and the Chinle Formation (Upper Triassic). The cliffs tops in Zion Canyon range roughly 2,000 feet above stream level. They were named Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the 19th century.