The Sundial (Zion National Park)

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.[2]

The Sundial
The Sundial, east aspect at dawn
(The Witch Head to right)
Highest point
Elevation7,590 ft (2,310 m)[1]
Prominence530 ft (160 m)[1]
Parent peakThe West Temple (7,810 ft)[1]
Isolation0.38 mi (0.61 km)[1]
Coordinates37°12′56″N 113°01′27″W[2]
Geography
The Sundial is located in Utah
The Sundial
The Sundial
Location in Utah
The Sundial is located in the United States
The Sundial
The Sundial
The Sundial (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[1]

Description

The Sundial is situated in the "Towers of the Virgin", 2.5 mi (4.0 km) west of Zion's park headquarters, towering 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) 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 half mile to the southeast, and Altar of Sacrifice is set approximately one mile to the north-northeast. Other neighbors include The Witch Head, Bee Hive, The Sentinel, Mount Spry, Bridge Mountain, and Mount Kinesava. This geographical feature was named by the park's third superintendent, Preston P. Patraw, because it had long been used as a sundial to regulate clocks in the nearby town of Grafton. The Sundial's name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[2]

Climate

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit The Sundial. 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.[3]

  • West aspect of Sundial. West Temple to right
    West aspect of Sundial. West Temple to right
  • The Sundial centered, from the southwest
    The Sundial centered, from the southwest
  • 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), The Sundial, The Witch Head, Altar of Sacrifice (right)
    The West Temple (left), The Sundial, The Witch Head, Altar of Sacrifice (right)
  • Towers of the Virgin. Left to right:The Sundial, The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice (upper right).
    Towers of the Virgin. Left to right:The Sundial, The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice (upper right).
  • The Sundial (left) and The Witch Head (right)
    The Sundial (left) and The Witch Head (right)
  • The West Temple (left), The Sundial (right)
    The West Temple (left), The Sundial (right)
  • Mt. Kinesava (centered), The Sundial to left, seen from Grafton cemetery
    Mt. Kinesava (centered), The Sundial to left, seen from Grafton cemetery
  • The Sundial (left), The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice.
    The Sundial (left), The Witch Head, Broken Tooth, Rotten Tooth, Altar of Sacrifice.
  • Moon over The Sundial
    Moon over The Sundial
  • The Sundial from Chinle Trail
    The Sundial from Chinle Trail

See also

References
  1. "Sundial, The - 7,590' UT". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: The Sundial
  3. "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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