Altar of Sacrifice

Altar of Sacrifice is a 7,505-foot (2,288 m) Navajo Sandstone mountain in Zion National Park in Washington County, Utah, United States,[3] that is part of the Towers of the Virgin.

Altar of Sacrifice
Altar of Sacrifice, east aspect
Highest point
Elevation7,505 ft (2,288 m)[1]
Prominence585 ft (178 m)[1]
Parent peakThe Sundial (7,590 ft)[2]
Isolation0.74 mi (1.19 km)[2]
ListingMountains of Utah
Coordinates37°13′33″N 113°01′11″W[1]
Geography
Altar of Sacrifice is located in Utah
Altar of Sacrifice
Altar of Sacrifice
Location in Utah
Altar of Sacrifice is located in the United States
Altar of Sacrifice
Altar of Sacrifice
Altar of Sacrifice (the United States)
LocationZion National Park
Washington County, Utah
United States
Parent rangeColorado Plateau
Topo mapUSGS Springdale West
Geology
Age of rockJurassic
Type of rockNavajo sandstone
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 5+ climbing[2]

Description

Altar of Sacrifice is situated 2.5 mi (4.0 km) west-northwest of Zion's park headquarters, towering 3,500 feet (1,100 m) above the floor of Zion Canyon and the Virgin River which drains precipitation runoff from this mountain. Its nearest higher neighbor is The West Temple, one mile (1.6 km) to the south.[1] Other neighbors include The Witch Head, Meridian Tower, Bee Hive, The Sentinel, Mount Spry, Bridge Mountain, and Mount Kinesava.

Etymology and naming

Altar of Sacrifice, The Great White Throne, and Angels Landing were named by Methodist Minister Frederick Vining Fisher and in tribute to local Hopi legend, from Ogden during a visit to Zion Canyon in 1916.[4] This feature's name gained its appropriateness from dark red stains caused by hematite (iron oxide) that appear on the face of the east wall, as though great quantities of blood had been spilled from the top.[3] Altar of Sacrifice's name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[3]

Climate

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Altar of Sacrifice. 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.[5]

  • The West Temple (left), The Sundial, The Witch Head, Altar of Sacrifice (right)
    The West Temple (left), The Sundial, The Witch Head, Altar of Sacrifice (right)
  • The West Temple (left), Altar of Sacrifice (right)
    The West Temple (left), Altar of Sacrifice (right)
  • Towers of the Virgin. Left to rightː The Sundial, The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice (upper right).
    Towers of the Virgin. Left to rightː The Sundial, The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice (upper right).
  • Altar of Sacrifice (centered) seen from summit of The Watchman
    Altar of Sacrifice (centered) seen from summit of The Watchman
  • The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice
    The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice

See also

References
  1. "The Altar of Sacrifice, Utah". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Altar of Sacrifice - 7,505' UT". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Altar of Sacrifice
  4. A History of Southern Utah and Its National Parks, Angus M. Woodbury (Utah State Historical Society, Vol XII Nos. 3–4, July–October 1944; revised and reprinted, 1950: pages 198-199 OCLC 4084746)
  5. "Zion National Park, Utah, USA - Monthly weather forecast and Climate data". Weather Atlas. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
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