Split Mountain (Utah)
{{Short description|Mountain in Utah, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Split Mountain
| photo = Green River (4056802153).jpg
| photo_caption = East aspect, viewed from Ruple Point
| elevation_ft = 7657
| elevation_ref ={{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/20350|title=Split Mountain, West - 7,657' UT|website=listsofjohn.com|access-date=2024-09-21}}
| prominence_ft = 1980.
| isolation_mi = 4.24
| parent_peak = Limber Flag (9,510 ft)
|country = United States
|state = Utah
|region = Uintah
|region_type = County
|part_type = Protected area | part = Dinosaur National Monument
| map = Utah#USA
| map_caption = Location in Utah
| map_size = 230
| label_position = left
| range = Uinta Mountains{{cite peakbagger|pid=18401|name=Split Mountain, Utah|access-date=2024-09-21}}
| coordinates = {{coord|40.4832897|N|109.2199848|W|type:mountain_region:US-CO_scale:100000_source:GNIS|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates_ref ={{gnis|1432803|Split Mountain}}
| topo = USGS Split Mountain
| rock = Weber Sandstone
| age = Permian-Pennsylvanian
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = {{YDS|2}} hiking
}}
Split Mountain is a {{convert|7657|ft|meter|adj=mid|-elevation|abbr=off|sp=us}} summit in Uintah County, Utah, United States.
Description
Split Mountain is located {{convert|13|mi|km}} east of Vernal, Utah, in Dinosaur National Monument and the eastern Uinta Mountains. Precipitation runoff from this double summit mountain drains into the Green River. Topographic relief is significant as the west summit rises {{convert|2800.|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} above the river in {{convert|1.3|mi|km}}. The lower east summit reaches an elevation of {{convert|7519|ft|m}}.{{cite peakbagger|pid=67532|name=Split Mountain - East Peak, Utah|access-date=2024-09-21}}
Split Mountain is composed of Permian-Pennsylvanian cliff-forming Weber Sandstone with Permian slope-forming Park City Formation around the lower base.[https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/598822 Geologic Map of Dinosaur National Monument], National Park Service, Retrieved 2024-09-21. The reason that the older Weber Sandstone is seemingly above the younger Park City Formation is because Split Mountain is a nearly symmetrical anticline.[https://books.google.com/books?id=tlwWEXxuKX4C&pg=PA37&dq=split+mountain+dinosaur&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjYyt2TxNWIAxW4EDQIHeefM484FBC7BXoECAgQBw#v=onepage&q=split%20mountain%20dinosaur&f=false The Geologic Story of the Uinta Mountains], Wallace R. Hansen, U.S. Geological Survey, 1969, p. 37. This landform's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. It is named in association with Split Mountain Canyon, in turn named by John Wesley Powell in 1869 as his expedition passed through this mountain which the Green River split via erosion.[https://geology.utah.gov/map-pub/survey-notes/powell-1869-river-journey/ Major John Wesley Powell's 1869 Journey Down the Green and Colorado Rivers of Utah], Thomas C. Chidsey Jr., Utah Geological Survey, Retrieved 2024-09-21.
Climate
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Split Mountain. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a semi-arid climate zone, with temperatures averaging between 0 °F to 30 °F in January, and 50 °F to 100 °F in July.[https://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/weather.htm Weather Dinosaur National Monument. National Park Service.gov] Typical of high deserts, summer temperatures can be exceedingly hot, while winter temperatures can be very cold. Snowfall is common, but the snow melts rapidly in the arid and sunny climate. Rainfall is very low, and the evaporation rate classifies the area as desert, even though the rainfall exceeds 10 inches.
Gallery
File:South aspect of Split Mountain.jpg|South aspect of Split Mountain, West summit to left of center in back.
File:Weber Sandstone (Pennsylvanian-Permian; Split Mountain, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, USA) 17 (48809186157).jpg|Weber Sandstone of Split Mountain
File:Weber Sandstone (Pennsylvanian-Permian; Split Mountain, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, USA) 21 (48815787916).jpg|Weber Sandstone of Split Mountain
File:Weber Sandstone (Pennsylvanian-Permian; Split Mountain, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, USA) 7 (48808682043).jpg|Weber Sandstone of Split Mountain with Split Mountain Campground in foreground
File:Weber Sandstone (Pennsylvanian-Permian; Split Mountain, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, USA) 19 (48808687478).jpg|Split Mountain
File:Ruple Point, Dinosaur National Monument.png|Green River in Split Mountain Canyon
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Split Mountain (Dinosaur National Monument)}}
- Split Mountain: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5781900/United%20States/Utah/Uintah%20County/Split%20Mountain Weather forecast]
- Split Mountain webcam: [https://www.nps.gov/media/webcam/view.htm?id=81B46AC7-1DD8-B71B-0B3C3482E2AE8259 National Park Service]
{{Geographic Location 2
| Center = Split Mountain
| North = Stone Bridge Draw
| Northeast = Colorado
| East = Ruple Point
| Southeast = Green River
| South = Split Mountain Canyon
| Southwest = Red Wash
| West = Vernal
| Northwest = Buckskin Hills
}}
{{Portal bar|Mountains|Geography|Geology|Utah}}
{{Authority control|qid=Q49076501}}
Category:Features of the Uinta Mountains
Category:Dinosaur National Monument