Elephant Butte (Arches National Park)

Elephant Butte is a 5,653-foot (1,723 m) summit in Grand County, Utah. It is located within Arches National Park, and is the highest point in the park.[3] Like many of the rock formations in the park, Elephant Butte is composed of Entrada Sandstone. Elephant Butte is a flat-topped cap surrounded by numerous towers and fins including Parade of Elephants. Double Arch is also a natural feature of Elephant Butte and was used as a backdrop for the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.[4] Precipitation runoff from Elephant Butte drains east into the nearby Colorado River. The first ascent was made September 8, 1953, by Alex Cresswell and Fred Ayres.[5]

Elephant Butte
North aspect, from Panorama Point
Highest point
Elevation5,653 ft (1,723 m)[1]
Prominence823 ft (251 m)[1]
Parent peakDry Mesa (5,780 ft)[2]
Isolation6.05 mi (9.74 km)[2]
Coordinates38°41′45″N 109°32′24″W[1]
Geography
Elephant Butte is located in Utah
Elephant Butte
Elephant Butte
Location in Utah
Elephant Butte is located in the United States
Elephant Butte
Elephant Butte
Elephant Butte (the United States)
LocationArches National Park
Grand County, Utah, U.S.
Parent rangeColorado Plateau
Topo mapUSGS The Windows Section
Geology
Type of rockEntrada Sandstone
Climbing
First ascent1953
Easiest routeclass 5.3 climbing[2]

Geology

Elephant Butte lies above an underground salt bed, causing the formation of the arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths in the area. The rock is Entrada Sandstone.

Climate

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to experience Arches National Park, when highs average 60 to 80 °F (15 to 25 °C) and lows average 30 to 50 °F (0 to 10 °C). Summer temperatures often exceed 100 °F (40 °C). Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 °F (0 to 10 °C), and lows averaging 0 to 20 °F (−20 to −5 °C). As part of a high desert region, it can experience wide daily temperature fluctuations. The park receives an average of less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain annually.

  • South aspect, seen from Turret Arch
    South aspect, seen from Turret Arch
  • West aspect
    West aspect
  • Elephant Butte and Parade of Elephants
    Elephant Butte and Parade of Elephants
  • Towers surrounding Elephant Butte
    Towers surrounding Elephant Butte
  • Double Arch structure on Elephant Butte
    Double Arch structure on Elephant Butte
  • Elephant Butte exit
    Elephant Butte exit

See also

References
  1. "Elephant Butte, Utah". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Elephant Butte - 5,653' UT". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  3. "Elephant Butte". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  4. Wilbur, Jay H. "Natural Arches in the Movies". The Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Archived from the original on 2013-11-26.
  5. "First Ascents-since 1911".
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