The West Temple

Last updated

The West Temple
West Temple, Zion N.P. 5-14 (15485128911).jpg
East aspect of The West Temple
Highest point
Elevation 7,810 ft (2,380 m) [1]
Prominence 1,680 ft (510 m) [1]
Isolation 10.66 mi (17.16 km) [2]
Coordinates 37°12′39″N113°01′15″W / 37.210869°N 113.02071°W / 37.210869; -113.02071 [1]
Geography
USA Utah relief location map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
The West Temple
Location in Utah
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
The West Temple
The West Temple (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State Utah
County Washington
Protected area Zion National Park
Parent range Colorado Plateau
Topo map USGS Springdale West
Geology
Rock age Jurassic
Rock type Navajo Sandstone
Climbing
First ascent 1933 [3]
Easiest route class 5.6 climbing [2]

The West Temple is a prominent 7,810-foot (2,380 m) mountain summit composed of Navajo Sandstone in Zion National Park in Washington County of Utah, United States. The West Temple, the highest feature in Zion Canyon, was originally called "Temp-o-i-tin-car-ur" meaning "Mountain without a trail" by the Paiute people. [4] It was called Steamboat Mountain by local Mormon settlers before 1934, when the USGS officially changed it to its present name, which was applied by John Wesley Powell during his explorations in 1872. [5] West Temple is situated two miles northwest of Springdale, Utah, one mile northeast of Mount Kinesava, and two miles west of the park headquarters. It is one of the notable landmarks in the park. The nearest higher peak is Windy Peak, 10.46 miles (16.83 km) to the north. [1] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Virgin River.

Contents

Climbing Routes

The West Temple (left) with Altar of Sacrifice (right) The West Temple (left) with the Towers of the Virgin.jpg
The West Temple (left) with Altar of Sacrifice (right)

Climbing Routes on The West Temple [6]

Geology

The upper white cliffs are composed of Navajo Sandstone, which in some places exhibit reddish staining caused by hematite (iron oxide), the source of which is the Temple Cap Formation caprock at the summit. [7] Lower slopes and ledges are composed of Kayenta Formation, Moenave Formation, Chinle Formation, and Moenkopi Formation.

Climate

West aspect of The West Temple West aspect of The West Temple.jpg
West aspect of The West Temple

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit this feature. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below 32 °F (0 °C), and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great White Throne (mountain)</span>

The Great White Throne is a monolith, predominantly composed of white Navajo Sandstone in Zion National Park in Washington County in southwestern Utah, United States. The north-west "main" face rises 2,350 feet (720 m) in 1,500 feet (460 m) from the floor of Zion Canyon near Angels Landing. It is often used as a symbol of Zion National Park. The Great White Throne can be seen from most locations along the scenic drive running through Zion Canyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bee Hive (peak)</span> Mountain in Zion National Park, Utah, USA

Bee Hive is a 6,904 feet (2,104 m) Navajo Sandstone mountain in Zion National Park in Washington County, Utah, United States, that is part of the Towers of the Virgin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridge Mountain (Utah)</span> Mountain in the United States

Bridge Mountain is a 6,803-foot (2,074 m) mountain made of Navajo Sandstone in Zion National Park in Washington County, of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Spry</span> Mountain summit in southwest Utah, US

Mount Spry is a small 5,720-ft elevation mountain summit made of Navajo Sandstone located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. Officially named in 1934, it honors William Spry (1864–1929), the third governor of Utah. The nearest higher peak is The East Temple, 0.34 miles (0.55 km) to the east. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the North Fork Virgin River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The East Temple</span> Mountain in the state of Utah

The East Temple is a prominent 7,709 feet (2,350 m) summit composed of Navajo Sandstone in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. It is one of the notable landmarks in the park. The nearest neighbor is Twin Brothers, one-half mile to the north, and the nearest higher peak is The West Temple, 3.85 miles (6.20 km) to the west-southwest. The mountain is situated 1.8 miles northeast of the park headquarters, at the confluence of Pine Creek and the North Fork Virgin River. This feature's name was applied by John Wesley Powell during his explorations in 1872, and was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The first ascent was made in 1937 by Glen Dawson, Dick Jones, Homer Fuller, Wayland Gilbert, and Jo Momyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Watchman (Utah)</span> Mountain in Zion National Park

The Watchman is a 6,545-foot (1,995 m) sandstone mountain summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Kinesava</span> Sandstone mountain in the United States

Mount Kinesava is a 7,285-foot (2,220 m) sandstone mountain summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnson Mountain (Utah)</span> Mountain in the state of Utah

Johnson Mountain is a 6,106-foot (1,861 m) Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Moroni</span> Mountain in the state of Utah

Mount Moroni is a 5,690-foot (1,730 m) elevation Navajo Sandstone summit located at the Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twin Brothers</span> Mountain in the state of Utah

Twin Brothers is a 6,863-foot (2,092 m) Navajo Sandstone mountain in Zion National Park in Washington County, Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Checkerboard Mesa</span>

Checkerboard Mesa is an iconic 6,520+ ft elevation Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Kane County of southwest Utah, United States. Checkerboard Mesa is situated immediately southwest of the park's east entrance, towering 900 feet above the Zion – Mount Carmel Highway. Its nearest neighbor is Crazy Quilt Mesa, one-half mile immediately west, and separated by Checkerboard Mesa Canyon. This canyon holds pools of rainwater which provide a vital source of water for resident bighorn sheep. This peak was originally named Checkerboard Mountain by the park's third superintendent, Preston P. Patraw. The landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1935 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The descriptive name stems from the cliff's distinctive multitudinous check lines in cross-bedded white sandstone which give the impression of a checkerboard. The horizontal lines are caused by cross-bedding, a remnant of ancient sand dunes. The vertical and sub-vertical lines formed by the contraction and expansion of the sandstone caused by temperature changes, freezing and thawing cycles, in combination with wetting and drying. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Virgin River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inclined Temple</span> Mountain in the American state of Utah

Inclined Temple is a remote 7,150-foot elevation summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Guardian Angel</span> Mountain in the American state of Utah

South Guardian Angel is a 7,140-foot (2,180 m) summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Guardian Angel</span> Summit in the state of Utah

North Guardian Angel is a 7,395-foot elevation summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sundial (Zion National Park)</span> Sandstone mountain in the state of Utah

The Sundial is a 7,590-foot (2,310-meter) elevation white Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Witch Head</span> Sandstone mountain in the state of Utah

The Witch Head is a 7,340-foot (2,240 m) white Navajo Sandstone mountain in Zion National Park in Washington County, Utah, United States, that is part of the Towers of the Virgin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ant Hill (Zion National Park)</span> Mountain in Utah, United States

Ant Hill is a 6,641-foot (2,024 m) summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. It is composed of white Navajo Sandstone, and rises 1,400 feet above the Zion – Mount Carmel Highway. Ant Hill is situated 1.65 mi (2.66 km) east-northeast of The East Temple, and 2.4 mi (3.9 km) west-northwest of Checkerboard Mesa. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Virgin River. Despite its benign name, an ascent of this mountain is a dangerous and exposed climb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Quilt Mesa</span>

Crazy Quilt Mesa is a 6,760 ft (2,060 m) elevation white Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Kane County of southwest Utah, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paria Point</span> Mountain in the state of Utah

Paria Point is a 7,802-foot (2,378 m) elevation summit located in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, in Washington County, Utah, United States. Tucupit Point is situated 0.5 mi (0.80 km) immediately north, and Beatty Point is 0.5 mi (0.80 km) immediately south, with 2,000-foot-deep finger canyons between each. Other neighbors include Nagunt Mesa and Timber Top Mountain to the south, and Horse Ranch Mountain to the north. Paria Point is composed of Jurassic Navajo sandstone overlaying tilted Kayenta Formation. Precipitation runoff drains into Taylor Creek, which is part of the Virgin River drainage basin. This feature's paria name is a Paiute word meaning "muddy water" or "elk water".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagle Crags</span> Mountain in the American state of Utah

Eagle Crags is a 6,380-foot (1,940 m) elevation summit located in the Canaan Mountain Wilderness of Washington County in southwest Utah, United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The West Temple, Utah". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "West Temple, The - 7,810' UT". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  3. A Brief History of Climbing in Zion. bigwalls.net
  4. National Park Service nps.gov/zion
  5. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: The West Temple
  6. The West Temple Mountain Project
  7. "The Geology of Zion National Park", Utahgeology.com
  8. "Zion National Park, Utah, USA - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data". Weather Atlas. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2020.