Observation Point (Zion National Park)
Observation Point is a 6,507-foot (1,983 m) elevation Navajo Sandstone feature located in Zion National Park, in Washington County of southwest Utah, United States.[2] Observation Point is situated at the north end of Zion Canyon, towering 2,100 feet (640 meters) above the canyon floor and the North Fork of the Virgin River which drains precipitation runoff from this viewpoint. A popular 8-mile round-trip trail climbs from the Weeping Rock trailhead along Zion Canyon Road to reach the top.[3] Neighbors visible from the point include The Great White Throne, Cathedral Mountain, Angels Landing, and Cable Mountain. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[2]
| Observation Point | |
|---|---|
 Observation Point seen from Angels Landing Trail | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,507 ft (1,983 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | Observation Benchmark (6708 ft) |
| Isolation | 0.12 mi (0.19 km)[1] |
| Coordinates | 37°16′42″N 112°56′25″W[1] |
| Geography | |
  Observation Point Location of Observation Point in Utah  Observation Point Observation Point (the United States) | |
| Location | Zion National Park Washington County, Utah United States |
| Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Temple of Sinawava |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Jurassic |
| Type of rock | Navajo sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | class 1 hiking trail |
Climate
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Observation Point. 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.[4]
Gallery
View from Observation Point looking southwest down Zion Canyon.jpg.webp)
Enjoying the view from Observation Point, white cliffs of Cathedral Mountain to right
Observation Point from Angels Landing
Cathedral Mountain (left) from the trail, with Observation Point upper right
Observation Point from Cable Mountain
Observation Point from southeast
Panoramic view from Observation Point
Observation Point detail.jpg.webp)
Angels Landing and Observation Point from Zion Lodge
Observation Point left of center
Observation Point seen from Angels Landing
Clockwise from top: Lady Mountain, Cathedral Mountain, Angels Landing, The Organ, The Great White Throne, Red Arch Mountain.
Observation Point covered with winter snow
Observation Benchmark seen from Temple of Sinawava
References
- "Observation Point, Utah". Peakbagger.com.
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Observation Point
- Erik Molvar and Tamara Martin, Hiking Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Second Edition, Globe Pequot Press, 2005, page 56.
- "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.
External links
- Zion National Park National Park Service
- Weather forecast: National Weather Service