Ekker Butte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ekker Butte |
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Ekker Butte and Green River, from NNE
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,260 ft (1,910 m) |
| Prominence | 926 ft (282 m) |
| Isolation | 5.34 mi (8.59 km) |
| Parent peak | Cleopatras Chair (6,520 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Ekker Butte
Location in Utah
Ekker Butte
Location in the United States
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| Location | Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Wayne County, Utah, US |
| Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Turks Head |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Late Triassic |
| Type of rock | Wingate Sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1987 |
| Easiest route | class 5.x climbing |
Ekker Butte is a tall, flat-topped hill called a butte. It stands 6,260 feet (about 1,910 meters) high. You can find it in the northern part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Wayne County, Utah, USA.
Ekker Butte is a very noticeable landmark. It rises over 1,400 feet (425 meters) above the land around it. You can see it from far away, especially from the Grand View Point and Green River Overlooks in Canyonlands National Park. This special place is named after the Ekker family. They were pioneers who lived nearby and raised cattle. A famous actor, Robert Redford, even toured the area with Arthur Benjamin Ekker. They visited Robbers Roost, which was a hideout for the famous outlaw Butch Cassidy and his gang.
Contents
What is Ekker Butte Made Of?
Ekker Butte is mostly made of a strong rock called Wingate Sandstone. This sandstone formed from ancient sand dunes about 200 million years ago. Imagine huge deserts with strong winds!
On top of the Wingate Sandstone, there's another layer of rock called the Kayenta Formation. This top layer acts like a "cap" that protects the softer rock below. Underneath, you'll find layers of the Chinle Formation and the Moenkopi Formation. All the rainwater that falls on Ekker Butte flows into the nearby Green River. This river is part of the much larger Colorado River system.
Climbing Ekker Butte
People have climbed Ekker Butte! The very first time someone reached the top was in January 1987. Two climbers, Tom Thomas and Dan Mathews, made this first climb. They used a difficult route called the South Tower.
Weather Around Ekker Butte
The best times to visit Ekker Butte are in the spring and fall. The area has a Cold semi-arid climate. This means winters can be cold, with average temperatures below freezing. However, the area doesn't get much snow.
This desert climate gets less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of rain each year. Most of the rain falls during spring and summer.
Images for kids
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Ekker Butte (right) from Green River Overlook in Canyonlands National Park (Elaterite Butte to left)
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Ekker Butte (upper left), from Green River Overlook
