West Mountain (Utah County, Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Mountain |
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The north summit of West Mountain, with the radio tower farm. The south summit is slightly higher.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,912 ft (2,107 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,104 ft (641 m) |
| Geography | |
 West Mountain
Location in Utah
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| Location | Utah County, Utah United States |
| Parent range | Wasatch Range |
| Topo map | USGS West Mountain |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Access road |
West Mountain is a cool mountain in Utah, United States. It's about 15 miles (24.6 kilometers) southwest of Provo and 4.7 miles (7.6 kilometers) west of Benjamin. This mountain is home to many important things, like radio towers and an observatory. There's even a small town nearby called West Mountain.
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Mountain Facts: What is West Mountain?
West Mountain stands tall at 6,912 feet (2,107 meters) high. The very top of the mountain is a bit south of where most of the towers are. This mountain is part of the southern Wasatch Range, even though it's not directly connected to the main mountains. It sits right by the southern shore of Utah Lake.
Radio and Communication Towers
West Mountain is a busy place for radio and communication signals. Many different radio stations and translators use towers here. A translator is like a booster station that helps radio signals reach more people.
Here are some of the types of signals found on the mountain:
- Several FM radio stations and their translators.
- Towers for cell phone companies like AT&T and Verizon.
- Towers for local emergency services, like police and fire departments.
- Towers for state and federal government services.
There's also a very old, tall tower called a "Long Line" tower. It was once used for sending microwave signals across long distances. But now, with fiber optic cables (which send information using light), these old towers are not used as much. This specific tower connects to other towers in nearby towns. There's also a ham radio repeater, which helps amateur radio users talk to each other over longer distances.
West Mountain Observatory
Near the top of West Mountain, you'll find the West Mountain Observatory. This observatory is used by students from Brigham Young University (BYU). It was built in 1981 and has three powerful telescopes. Students use these telescopes to study stars, planets, and other amazing things in space.
How to Get to West Mountain
You can reach the top of West Mountain by taking West Mountain Road. This road starts near Lincoln Beach Road. The road can be winding and might not always be in perfect condition, especially depending on the weather. If you plan to visit, it's a good idea to use a vehicle with four-wheel drive. This type of vehicle helps you drive better on rough or slippery roads.
Images for kids
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A panoramic view of Utah County between Orem and Provo in the north (left) and the radio towers on West Mountain to the South (right)
