Candlestick Tower
{{short description|Rock formation in Utah, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Candlestick Tower
| photo = Candlestick Tower.jpg
| photo_caption = Candlestick Tower from the southeast
| elevation_ft = 5867
| elevation_ref = {{cite peakbagger|pid=3872|name=Candlestick Tower, Utah|accessdate=2020-08-31}}
| prominence_ft = 707
| isolation_mi = 0.93
| isolation_ref = {{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/23090|title=Candlestick Tower - 5,867' UT|website=listsofjohn.com|accessdate=2020-08-31}}
| parent_peak = Shaft Benchmark (6,329 ft)
| map = Utah#USA
| map_caption = Location of Candlestick 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|38.380804|N|109.931657|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 Upheaval Dome
| first_ascent = 1974
| easiest_route = {{YDS|5.10}} Climbing
}}
Candlestick Tower is a {{Convert|450|ft|m|sp=us|adj=mid|-tall}} sandstone butte located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah.{{cite gnis|id=1450279|name=Candlestick Tower|accessdate = 2020-08-31}} Its descriptive name comes from its resemblance to a candlestick. Candlestick Tower is 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 Shaft Benchmark, {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the east; Upheaval Dome is located {{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the north and the Green River Overlook is situated {{convert|2.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the east. Access to the tower is via the four-wheel-drive White Rim Road. Candlestick is situated north of Soda Springs Basin and south of Holeman Spring Basin, and the top of this geological formation rises 1,400 feet above the White Rim Road in approximately one mile. Precipitation runoff from Candlestick Tower drains into the nearby Green River via these two basins.
Climbing
The first ascent of Candlestick was made in March 1974 by Jimmy Dunn, Larry Hamilton, Doug Snively, and John Byrd.[https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12197513202 American Alpine Journal, Vol. 20, 1975, page 132] The first free ascent of Candlestick Tower was made by Glenn Randall and Kent Lugbill in 1982.The American Alpine Journal, 1983, page 165. The established routes on Candlestick are the {{YDS|5.10}} Southwest Corner, the East Face (5.10), and Two Worlds Route is an aid climb.[https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/united-states/canyonlands-area/area/16962745 Candlestick Tower thecrag.com]
Climate
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Candlestick 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}} of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.
Gallery
File:Candlestick - Canyonlands National Park, Utah.jpg|East aspect
File:Shaft Benchmark, Canyonlands National Park, Utah.jpg|Candlestick Tower (left), Shaft Benchmark and Green River Overlook (right), seen from the east
File:Candlestick Tower from Holeman Spring Basin.jpg|Candlestick Tower from Holeman Spring Basin
File:Canyon and Candlestick Tower (7257544312).jpg
File:Canyonlands Candlestick Tower sunset.jpg|Candlestick Tower (right), Buttes of the Cross to left in the distance
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Candlestick Tower}}
- [https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm Canyonlands National Park] National Park Service
- Candlestick Tower: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5536414/United%20States/Utah/San%20Juan/Candlestick%20Tower weather forecast]
Category:Landforms of San Juan County, Utah
Category:Canyonlands National Park