Mount Ellsworth (Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Ellsworth |
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South aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,235 ft (2,510 m) |
| Prominence | 2,915 ft (888 m) |
| Isolation | 9.89 mi (15.92 km) |
| Parent peak | Mount Hillers (10,737 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Ellsworth
Location in Utah
Mount Ellsworth
Location in the United States
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| Location | Garfield County, Utah, U.S. |
| Parent range | Henry Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Ticaboo Mesa |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Oligocene |
| Mountain type | Laccolith |
| Type of rock | Igneous and sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | class 2 scrambling |
Mount Ellsworth is a tall mountain in Garfield County, Utah, United States. It stands at 8,235 feet (2,510 meters) high. This mountain is part of the Henry Mountains range.
Mount Ellsworth is located in a very dry and wild area. It is west of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The land around it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Water from the mountain flows into streams that lead to the nearby Colorado River. This part of the river is now Lake Powell, about eight miles east of the mountain.
Contents
Discovering Mount Ellsworth's Past
How Geologists Studied the Area
An American geologist named Grove Karl Gilbert explored this region a long time ago. He surveyed the area in 1875 and 1876. A geologist is a scientist who studies the Earth's rocks, land, and history.
Gilbert wrote down what he found in a book published in 1879. It was called The Geology of the Henry Mountains.
What is a Laccolith?
Gilbert was the first to use the word "laccolith." He used it to describe how some rocks formed in the Henry Mountains. A laccolith is a type of igneous rock formation. It happens when hot, melted rock (magma) pushes up the layers of rock above it. This creates a dome or mushroom shape underground.
Naming the Mountain
The name Mount Ellsworth appeared on a map in 1875. However, no one knows for sure how it got its name. Gilbert did name a mountain nearby, Mount Holmes. It is about four miles to the northeast.
Understanding Mount Ellsworth's Climate
When is the Best Time to Visit?
The best times to visit Mount Ellsworth are in the spring and fall. The weather is usually mild and pleasant then.
What is a Cold Semi-Arid Climate?
Mount Ellsworth is in a Cold semi-arid climate zone. This type of climate means that the coldest month has an average temperature below 32 °F (0 °C). Also, at least half of the year's rain falls during spring and summer.
This desert climate does not get much rain. It receives less than 10 inches (250 mm) of rain each year. Snowfall in winter is usually light.
Gallery
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Aerial view, south at top of frame
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Ticaboo, Utah, with Ellsworth to left
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Nearby Bullfrog, Utah is named for this feature on Mt. Ellsworth that resembles a bullfrog, as seen from southbound Highway 276
