| Altar of Sacrifice | |
|---|---|
 Altar of Sacrifice, east aspect | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,505 ft (2,288 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 585 ft (178 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | The Sundial (7,590 ft)[2] |
| Isolation | 0.74 mi (1.19 km)[2] |
| Listing | Mountains of Utah |
| Coordinates | 37°13′33″N113°01′11″W / 37.225934°N 113.019858°W /37.225934; -113.019858[1] |
| Geography | |
  Altar of Sacrifice Location in Utah Show map of Utah Altar of Sacrifice Altar of Sacrifice (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Washington |
| Protected area | Zion National Park |
| Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGSSpringdale West |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Jurassic |
| Rock type | Navajo sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | class 5+climbing[2] |
Altar of Sacrifice is a 7,505-foot (2,288 m)Navajo Sandstone mountain inZion National Park inWashington County,Utah, United States,[3] that is part of theTowers of the Virgin.
Altar of Sacrifice is situated 2.5 mi (4.0 km) west-northwest of Zion's park headquarters, towering 3,500 feet (1,100 m) above the floor ofZion Canyon and theVirgin River which drains precipitationrunoff from this mountain. Its nearest higher neighbor isThe West Temple, one mile (1.6 km) to the south.[1] Other neighbors includeThe Witch Head,Meridian Tower,Bee Hive,The Sentinel,Mount Spry,Bridge Mountain, andMount Kinesava.
Altar of Sacrifice,The Great White Throne, andAngels Landing were named by Methodist Minister Frederick Vining Fisher from Ogden during a visit to Zion Canyon in 1916.[4] This feature's name gained its appropriateness from dark red stains caused byhematite (iron oxide) that appear on the face of the east wall, as though great quantities of blood had been spilled from the top.[3] Altar of Sacrifice's name was officially adopted in 1934 by theU.S. Board on Geographic Names.[3]
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Altar of Sacrifice. According to theKöppen climate classification system, it is located in aCold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below 32 °F (0 °C), and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.[5]
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