Totem Pole (Monument Valley) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Totem Pole |
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Totem Pole on the left near Yel-Bichel
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,621 ft (1,713 m) NGVD 29 |
| Prominence | 381 ft (116 m) |
| Geography | |
 Totem Pole
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Navajo County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Topo map | Mitten Buttes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Sandstone pillar |
The Totem Pole is a very tall, thin rock formation. It looks like a giant pillar or rock spire standing alone. You can find it in the famous Monument Valley. This amazing rock is what's left of a bigger rock called a butte that has slowly worn away over millions of years.
Contents
How Totem Pole Was Formed
Ancient Deserts and Sandstone
Millions of years ago, about 260 million years back, this area was a huge desert. The sand from that ancient desert slowly turned into rock. This rock is called De Chelly and Wingate Sandstone. These types of sandstone are what make up all the cool shapes you see in Monument Valley. This includes the Totem Pole, other pillars, and flat-topped mountains called mesas.
Where to Find Totem Pole
Exploring Monument Valley
The Totem Pole stands right next to a group of thicker rock formations. The Navajo people, who live in this area, call these formations Yei Bi Chei. You can see the Totem Pole and its neighbors by driving along the special Valley Drive. This drive allows visitors to explore parts of Monument Valley on their own.
Rock Climbing Adventures
First Climbs on the Totem Pole
The Totem Pole is a very challenging climb. The first people to successfully climb it were Bill Feuerer, Jerry Gallwas, Mark Powell, and Don Wilson. They reached the top between June 11 and 13, 1957. Their climbing path is rated 5.10 YDS A2. This is a way to describe how difficult a rock climb is. Another climbing path, called "Never Never Land," was first climbed in 1979.
Totem Pole in Movies
The Totem Pole was also featured in the 1975 thriller movie The Eiger Sanction. The movie was directed by and starred Clint Eastwood. He did all his own stunts during the climbing scenes in the film. To get permission to film on the Totem Pole, Eastwood and his team had to agree to remove all the old climbing equipment, like pitons, left by previous climbers. This made sure the mountain was left clean after their visit.
