Airport Tower (Canyonlands)
{{Short description|Sandstone butte in San Juan County, Utah}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Airport Tower
| photo = Airport Tower from SW.jpg
| photo_caption = Southwest aspect from White Rim Road
| elevation_ft = 5812
| elevation_ref = {{cite peakbagger|pid=71908|name=Airport Tower, Utah|accessdate=2020-10-03}}
| prominence_ft = 732
| isolation_mi = 1.61
| isolation_ref = {{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/23027|title=Airport Tower - 5,812' UT|website=listsofjohn.com|accessdate=2020-10-03}}
| parent_peak = Monster Tower (5,880 ft)
| map = Utah#USA
| map_caption = Location of Airport Tower in Utah
| map_size = 230
| part_type = Protected area | part = Canyonlands National Park
| country = United States
| state = Utah
| region = San Juan
| region_type = County
| coordinates = {{coord|38.39317|N|109.808114|W|type:mountain_region:US-UT_scale:100000_source:gnis|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range = Colorado Plateau
| rock = Wingate Sandstone
| age = Late Triassic
| topo = USGS Musselman Arch
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = {{YDS|5.10 A3}} Climbing
}}
Airport Tower is a {{Convert|700|ft|m|abbr=off|adj=on|sp=us}} tall sandstone butte located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah.{{cite gnis|id=1434920|name=Airport Tower|accessdate = 2020-10-03}} It is situated 1.64 mile east of Washer Woman, which is a towering arch similar in height. Each are composed of Wingate Sandstone, which is the remains of wind-borne sand dunes deposited approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. The nearest higher neighbor is Monster Tower, {{convert|1.6|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the west, Tiki Tower is one-half mile northwest, and Mesa Arch is situated {{convert|3.2|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the west. A short hike to Mesa Arch provides the easiest view of Airport Tower. Access to this tower is via the four-wheel drive White Rim Road, which is another option to see Airport Tower. The top of this geological formation rises 1,400 feet above the road in less than one mile. Precipitation runoff from Airport Tower drains southeast into the nearby Colorado River via Buck and Lathrop Canyons. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1986 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. It was so named because the rock formation resembles the appearance of an airport control tower.
Climbing
The first ascent of Airport Tower was made in July 1994 by Galen Howell, Sonja Paspal, and Steve Swanke, via Wind Shear (5.11, A1, 5 pitches).{{Cite web|url=https://www.deserttowersbook.com/first-ascent-timeline|title=First Ascent Timeline}}{{Cite web|url=http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199516003/North-America-United-States-Utah-Canyonlands-National-Park-Island-in-the-Sky-District|title = AAC Publications - North America, United States, Utah, Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky District}}
The second ascent was made in September 1995 by Mike Baker and Leslie Henderson via Sky Pilot (IV 5.9 A3).{{Cite web|url=http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199616001/North-America-United-States-Utah-Canyonlands-National-Park-Airport-Tower-Sky-Pilot|title = AAC Publications - North America, United States, Utah, Canyonlands National Park, Airport Tower, Sky Pilot}}
The first free ascent of Airport Tower was made in 1998 by Bret Ruckman and Marco Corncchione via Wind Shear ({{YDS|5.12a/b}}), calling it a five-star route.[http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199923102/North-America-United-States-Utah-Canyonlands-National-Park-Tristins-Tower-Airport-Tower-Ascents North Amwerica, United States, Utah, Canyonlands National Park, Tristin's Tower, Airport Tower, Ascents americanalpineclub.org]
Climate
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Airport Tower. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below −0 °C (32 °F) and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}} of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.
Gallery
File:Canyonlands Airport Tower.jpg|Washer Woman and Airport Tower seen from the west at Mesa Arch
File:Airport Tower (Canyonlands).jpg|Northeast aspect
File:White Rim Trail, Canyonlands UT.jpg|East aspect from White Rim Road
Airport Tower, Canyonlands National Park.jpg|From the southwest
File:Airport Tower - Canyonlands National Park, Utah.jpg|From the southwest
File:Monster Tower Canyonlands.jpg|Washer Woman, Monster Tower, and Airport Tower seen from west.
United Nations Tablet on skyline
File:Airport Tower and Island in the Sky (7257519158).jpg|Airport Tower (right) and Island in the Sky
File:Airport Tower, from east.jpg|Airport Tower from the east (Monster Tower behind left)
File:Campsites are marked with wooden posts. (d02069b4-f02b-4d41-9852-474b3a685352).jpg|From Airport Tower Campground
File:Airport Tower star trails.jpg|Southeast aspect and star trails
File:Airport Tower - panoramio.jpg
File:Airport Tower, Tiki Tower, Canyonlands National Park.jpg|North aspect. (Tiki Tower to right)
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm Canyonlands National Park] National Park Service
- Airport Tower weather forecast: [https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-109.808114&lat=38.39317#.X3jitFKSmUm National Weather Service]
- Airport Tower from White Rim Road: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soAfXom1fng YouTube]
Category:Landforms of San Juan County, Utah
Category:Canyonlands National Park