box canyon
Three-walled rocky enclosure
A box canyon is a narrow canyon with steep walls on three sides, open only at the entrance.
The enclosed shape makes it a natural trap—in Western films, outlaws often corner their pursuers or get cornered themselves in box canyons.
The cattle were driven into a box canyon where they couldn't escape.
Cemented grain sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- erosionGradual wearing away
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- strataParallel geological layers
formation · outcrop · weathering · flash flood · streambed · alluvium · bedrock · fault
Deep, narrow valley
- ravineDeep, narrow valley
- arroyoSeasonal desert watercourse
- gulchSteep narrow ravine
- cliffVertical rock wall
escarpment · mesa · plateau · butte · rimrock · narrow passage · steep walls · wash
Path through wilderness
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
- canyoneeringTechnical gorge descent sport
dead end · turnaround · topo map · slot · rappelling · exploration · adventure · remote
sandstone
Cemented grain sediment
strata · formation · outcrop · weathering · flash flood · streambed · alluvium · bedrock · fault · uplift
gorge
Deep, narrow valley
cliff · escarpment · mesa · plateau · butte · rimrock · narrow passage · steep walls · wash · drainage
trail
Path through wilderness
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
canyoneering · dead end · turnaround · topo map · slot · rappelling · exploration · adventure · remote · rugged terrain
dead end
Passage without outlet
bottleneck · strategic · defensive position · livestock · western · cavalry · outlaw · hideout · standoff · blocked
hidden
Kept out of sight
refuge · sanctuary · retreat · quiet · solitude · tucked away · protected · windbreak · shade · oasis