Bennett Peak (New Mexico) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bennett Peak
East aspect
Highest point
Elevation	6,471 ft (1,972 m)
Prominence	771 ft (235 m)
Isolation	9.2 mi (14.8 km)
Parent peak	Two Grey Hills (6,591 ft)
Geography
Bennett Peak Location in New Mexico Show map of New Mexico Bennett Peak Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	San Juan County, New Mexico, US
Parent range	Chuska Mountains Colorado Plateau
Topo map	USGS Little Water
Geology
Age of rock	Oligocene
Mountain type	Volcanic plug
Type of rock	Volcanic breccia
Climbing
First ascent	1992
Easiest route	class 5.8 climbing

Bennett Peak is a tall mountain in northwest New Mexico, United States. It stands at 6,471 feet (1,972 meters) high. This peak is located on land belonging to the Navajo Nation.

Bennett Peak is a famous landmark. It sits about one mile west of U.S. Route 491. Another peak, Ford Butte, is on the other side of the highway.

This mountain is a type of volcanic plug. This means it's the hardened core of an ancient volcano. It rises 1,175 feet (358 meters) above the flat desert land. Bennett Peak is about 22 miles (35 km) south of Shiprock. Shiprock is an even more famous volcanic plug in the area.

Bennett Peak is part of the Navajo volcanic field. This area has many interesting rocks. These rocks formed about 30 million years ago. That was during a time called the Oligocene epoch. The mountain is also in the Chaco River area, where water flows.

History of Bennett Peak

How Bennett Peak Got Its Name

An army officer named Lt. James H. Simpson passed by this area. He was with the United States Corps of Topographical Engineers. On August 30, 1849, he wrote in his journal about these amazing peaks.

Later, the peak was named after Major Frank Tracy Bennett. He was an important person who worked with the Navajo people. He helped them as an "agent" from 1869 to 1871 and again from 1880 to 1881.

The official name "Bennett Peak" was chosen in 1915. This was done by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The Navajo people have their own name for the peak. It is Tsézhin ‘Ií’áhí, which means "Trap rocks sticking up."

First Climbers and Movie Scenes

The very first time someone climbed to the top of Bennett Peak was in 1992. Two climbers, Cameron Burns and Luke Laeser, made this first ascent.

Bennett Peak has even been in a movie! Scenes from the 2014 film "Beyond the Reach" were filmed there.

Climate Around Bennett Peak

The area around Bennett Peak has a semi-arid climate. This means it's quite dry. Winters are cold, and summers are hot.

Here is some weather information from Shiprock, New Mexico. Shiprock is about 30 miles north of Bennett Peak.

Images for kids

See Also

• Rock formations in the United States
• Volcanic plug