| Capitol Butte | |
| Elevation Ft: | 6355 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 1455 |
| Isolation Mi: | 3.36 |
| Parent Peak: | Wilson Mountain (7,122 ft) |
| Map: | Arizona#USA |
| Map Size: | 260 |
| Label Position: | bottom |
| Part Type: | Protected area |
| Part: | Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness |
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Arizona |
| Region: | Yavapai |
| Region Type: | County |
| Range: | Colorado Plateau[2] |
| Coordinates: | 34.8862°N -111.8071°W |
| Coordinates Ref: | [3] |
| Topo: | USGS Wilson Mountain |
| Easiest Route: | Southwest ridge |
Capitol Butte is a 6355feet summit in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States.
Capitol Butte is located three miles immediately northwest of Sedona in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, on land managed by Coconino National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Lost Wilson Mountain 3.1 miles (5 km) to the north-northeast.[1] [2] Precipitation runoff from this feature drains to Oak Creek which is part of the Verde River watershed.[2] Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 1700abbr=offNaNabbr=off above West Sedona in 0.6 mile (1 km). Capitol Butte is composed of light-colored Coconino Sandstone overlaying reddish Schnebly Hill Formation.[4]
The landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1971 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[5] It is unknown how the butte came to be called "Capitol,"[6] however it does resemble a capitol dome in appearance.[7] Previous variant names for the landform included Capital Butte, Gray Mountain, Grayback Mountain, and Judge Oteys Tombstone.[3] Locals call it "Thunder Mountain."[8]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Capitol Butte is located in a temperate semi-arid climate zone.[9] Climbers can expect afternoon rain and lightning from the seasonal monsoon in late July and August.