| Spearhead Mesa | |
|---|---|
 South aspect | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,998 ft (1,828 m) |
| Prominence | 738 ft (225 m) |
| Parent peak | Mitchell Mesa (6,586 ft) |
| Isolation | 2.50 mi (4.02 km) |
| Coordinates | 36°56′49″N 110°03′06″W / 36.9468130°N 110.0516243°W / 36.9468130; -110.0516243 |
| Geography | |
  Spearhead MesaLocation in ArizonaShow map of Arizona Spearhead MesaSpearhead Mesa (the United States)Show map of the United States
| |
| Location | Navajo Reservation Navajo County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Mitten Buttes |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Mesa |
| Rock type | Sandstone |
Spearhead Mesa is a 5,998-foot-elevation (1,828-meter) summit in Navajo County, Arizona, United States.
Description
Spearhead Mesa is situated four miles (6.4 km) southeast of the Monument Valley visitor center on Navajo Nation land. The nearest higher neighbor is the iconic East Mitten Butte, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the north-northwest. Precipitation runoff from this mesa's slopes drains into Gypsum Creek which is a tributary of the San Juan River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 900 feet (274 meters) above the surrounding terrain in one-quarter mile (0.4 km). The landform's toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. The spearhead name refers to a sandstone spire above Artist Point that resembles the spear of an arrow.
Geology
Spearhead Mesa is a mesa composed of three principal strata. The bottom layer is slope-forming Organ Rock Shale, the next stratum is cliff-forming De Chelly Sandstone, and the upper layer is Moenkopi Formation with a Shinarump Conglomerate caprock. The rock ranges in age from Permian at the bottom to Late Triassic at the top. The buttes and mesas of Monument Valley are the result of the Organ Rock Shale being more easily eroded than the overlaying sandstone.
Climate
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Spearhead Mesa. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a semi-arid climate zone with cold winters and hot summers. Summers average 54 days above 90 °F (32 °C) annually, and highs rarely exceed 100 °F (38 °C). Summer nights are comfortably cool, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winters are cold, but daytime highs are usually above freezing. Winter temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) are uncommon, though possible. This desert climate receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.
Gallery
-
West aspect, cars visible at Artist Point. Note the spearhead-shape spire to the left which imparts the name to the mesa.
-
Northeast aspect, aerial view
-
Spearhead Mesa to left with Elephant Butte centered
-
The "Spearhead" seen from Artist Point
-
Southwest aspect of Spearhead Mesa
-
Southern tip of Spearhead Mesa. "The Cube" is the large boulder at lower left.
-
Southwest aspect
-
The "Spearhead" of Spearhead Mesa
_viewed_from_North_Window_Viewpoint_(39766301383).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
References
- ^ "Spearhead Mesa - 5,998' AZ". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ "Spearhead Mesa". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ "Spearhead Mesa, Peakvisor.com". Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- Monument Valley, City of Aztec, aztecnm.com, Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- Monument Valley, Arizona, Arizona Geological Survey, Retrieved 2024-08-24.
- Climate Summary for Kayenta, Arizona
External links
- Weather forecast: Spearhead Mesa
- The "Spearhead" from Artist Point: Flickr (photo)
| Places adjacent to Spearhead Mesa | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||
Spearhead Mesa
