[3] Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 550 feet (168 meters) above the surrounding terrain in 0.2 mile (0.32 km).

Precipitation runoff from this iconic landform's slopes drains to the San Juan River via Lime Creek.

The bottom layer is slope-forming Halgaito Formation and the upper stratum is cliff-forming Cedar Mesa Sandstone.

[5] Cedar Mesa Sandstone is the remains of coastal sand dunes deposited about 270 to 300 million years ago, during the Wolfcampian (early Permian).

This desert climate receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.