The Watchman (Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Watchman |
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The Watchman, northwest aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,545 ft (1,995 m) |
| Prominence | 785 ft (239 m) |
| Isolation | 0.79 mi (1.27 km) |
| Parent peak | Stevens Peak (6,555 ft) |
| Geography | |
 The Watchman
Location in Utah
The Watchman
Location in the United States
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| Location | Zion National Park Washington County, Utah United States |
| Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Springdale East |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Jurassic |
| Type of rock | Navajo sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1973 by Jeff Lowe, Mike Weis |
| Easiest route | class 4 scrambling West Face |
The Watchman is a famous sandstone mountain in Zion National Park, located in southwest Utah, United States. It stands tall at about 6,545 feet (1,995 meters) above sea level. This mountain is a well-known sight and a popular spot for photos in the park.
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About The Watchman Mountain
The Watchman mountain is right next to the town of Springdale. It rises about 2,600 feet (790 meters) above the town and the bottom of Zion Canyon. The main park offices, the south entrance to Zion, and the Watchman Campground are all very close to this mountain. This makes it one of the most photographed places in the park.
The mountain is located between two parts of the Virgin River. These river forks help carry away rainwater from the mountain. Other nearby mountains include Mount Kinesava to the west and Bridge Mountain to the north. The West Temple is also not too far away to the northwest.
How The Watchman Got Its Name
The name "The Watchman" was officially given to the mountain in 1934. People believe it's called this because it looks like a guard watching over the south entrance of the park. It's not fully clear who first came up with the name. Some think it might have been a minister named Frederick Vining Fisher.
Long ago, early settlers called this peak "Flanigan Peak." This was because the Flanigan family had their home right at the base of the mountain.
What The Watchman Is Made Of
The Watchman mountain is mostly made of a type of rock called Navajo Sandstone. You can also see a reddish rock layer, known as the Kayenta Formation, along the lower parts of the mountain. This layer looks like a red outcropping of shale.
Weather and Climate at The Watchman
The best times to visit The Watchman are during spring and fall. The area has a Cold semi-arid climate. This means that the coldest month usually has an average temperature below 32 °F (0 °C). Also, at least half of the yearly rain falls during spring and summer.
This desert climate doesn't get much rain, usually less than 10 inches (254 mm) each year. Snowfall in the winter is usually light.
Gallery
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The Watchman and North Fork Virgin River from the north
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West aspect seen from Springdale, Johnson Mountain to right.
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A dusting of snow at The Watchman
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The Watchman and North Fork Virgin River
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from park headquarters
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From Springdale, Watchman (right), Bridge Mountain (left)
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