Over the years, hikers have constructed "The Livingroom" on the ridge of Red Butte above the northeastern corner of the Salt Lake Valley.  In the summer, people gather to watch the sun go down while lounging on sofas and armchairs constructed from the local red sandstone.

The Red Butte gets its name from the nugget sandstone formation, deposited as sand dunes 150 to 200 million years ago. The Red Butte Canyon sandstone was once quarried for use in construction. The old Salt Lake City Hall, located across the street from the State Capitol building, is constructed of the rock brought down by rail car. Several old houses in the area on Capitol Hill are also constructed of the same material.

On this cold January morning, the valley below is locked in an atmospheric inversion, when cold air traps fog and pollution below that cannot rise through the warmer air above.  The blanket of white is actually less than white when seen from below.