The West Temple | |
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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 Coordinates: 37°12′39″N113°01′15″W / 37.210869°N 113.02071°W [1] |
Geography | |
Location | Zion National Park Washington County, Utah United States |
Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
Topo map | USGS Springdale West |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Jurassic |
Type of rock | 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. This, 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.
Climbing Routes on The West Temple [6]
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.
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]
Bee Hive is a 6,904-ft elevation summit composed of Navajo Sandstone located in Zion National Park in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. Bee Hive is located north of the park headquarters at the south entrance to Zion Canyon. The east face of Bee Hive, named The Streaked Wall, rises 2,900 feet (880 m) above the floor of Zion Canyon. Neighbors include Altar of Sacrifice and Meridian Tower to the west, and The Sentinel to the northeast. The peak's descriptive name is for the beehive shape of the summit. This name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the North Fork Virgin River.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Altar of Sacrifice is a 7,505-foot elevation Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.
Red Arch Mountain is a 5,930-foot (1,810 m) elevation Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.
Twin Brothers is a 6,863-foot (2,092 m) elevation Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. Twin Brothers is situated one half mile immediately north of The East Temple, and one half mile immediately south of Mountain of the Sun, towering 2,800-feet above the floor of Zion Canyon. It is set on the east side of the North Fork of the Virgin River which drains precipitation runoff from this mountain. Its neighbors across the canyon include Bee Hive, The Sentinel, and Mount Moroni. Mount Spry, set southwest and below Twin Brothers, often appears in photos taken of both from park headquarters. This feature's name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
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 feature's name 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. This peak was originally named Checkerboard Mountain by the park's third superintendent, Preston P. Patraw. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Virgin River.
Inclined Temple is a remote 7,150-foot elevation summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.
South Guardian Angel is a 7,140-foot elevation summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.
North Guardian Angel is a 7,395-foot elevation summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.
The Sundial is a 7,590-foot elevation white Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.
The Witch Head is a 7,340-foot (2,237-meter) elevation white Navajo Sandstone summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. The Witch Head is situated in the "Towers of the Virgin", 2.5 mi (4.0 km) west of Zion's park headquarters, towering 3,300-feet above the floor of Zion Canyon and the Virgin River which drains precipitation runoff from this mountain. Its neighbors include The West Temple, The Sundial, Altar of Sacrifice, Meridian Tower, Bee Hive, and Three Marys. The first ascent of this feature was made in early March 1997 by Dan Stih and Ron Raimonde via the west face, which they rated a class 5.10 climb.
Pine Valley Peak is a 7,415-foot elevation summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. Pine Valley Peak, a formation composed of white Navajo Sandstone, is situated in Pine Valley, 11.5 mi (18.5 km) north-northwest of Springdale, Utah. Its neighbors include North Guardian Angel, 1.7 mi (3 km) to the southeast, and South Guardian Angel, 3 mi (5 km) to the south-southeast. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Virgin River. Access to this peak is via the Kolob Terrace Road. This peak's name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Ant Hill is a 6,641-foot (2,024-meter) elevation summit located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. It is composed of white Navajo Sandstone, and rises 1400-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.
Deertrap Mountain is a 6,837-foot elevation summit in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States. Deertrap is composed of white Navajo Sandstone and set on the east rim of Zion Canyon. It is situated one mile southeast of Zion Lodge, and three miles northeast of park headquarters. The nearest neighbor is Mountain of the Sun, one-half mile to the west, and the nearest higher peak is Twin Brothers, 0.68 miles (1.09 km) to the southwest. The East Temple is situated 1.1 mile to the south-southwest, and Ant Hill is set 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to the southeast. Pine Creek originates at Deertrap, and the North Fork of the Virgin River drains precipitation runoff from this mountain. This feature's name was officially adopted April 4, 1934, by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. It is believed that the Paiute drove mule deer onto the mesa here, trapping them for food.
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".
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.
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