Geology: The granite cliffs found throughout the canyon previously was the bedrock of earth’s crust 1.4 to 1.7 billions of years ago, but rose after a geological uplifting event. History: Settlers who came to Unaweep canyon came for a variety of reasons, but a large majority came for ranching and mining. Plantlife: Brown-Spined Prickly Pear are found in the canyon. Its scientific name is Opuntia polyacantha. It is more wide than tall, with red/yellow/ pink flowers, sharp “leaves” and a thick, waxy, oval-shape blue-green stem. Watershed: With a high point in the middle of the canyon forming a divide, water flows both east and west. Unaweep is the only canyon in the world where this is known to occur! Wildlife: The collared lizard uses their tail to balance like a T rex would. They eat spiders, insects, and sometimes their own young!