This formation in eastern Washington State is a magnificent example of the raw forces of nature, but to the scientific community it is full of mysteries. What created these towering vertical faces? Was it the cutting action of a relentless river, or humongous ice-age floods, or earthquakes, or another process? How many millions of years were required to produce the massive piles of talus? What type of rock is predominant? What animal life finds refuge here?

The answer lies here (on Flickr).