Terra Tower Explained

Terra Tower
Elevation Ft:5790
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:60
Isolation Mi:3.76
Parent Peak:Black Ridge
Map:Colorado#USA
Map Size:260
Label Position:right
Country:United States
State:Colorado
Region:Mesa
Region Type:County
Part Type:Protected area
Part:Colorado National Monument
Range:Colorado Plateau
Uncompahgre Plateau
Coordinates:39.0699°N -108.6777°W
Topo:USGS Colorado National Monument
Rock:Wingate Sandstone
Age:Late Triassic to Early Jurassic[2]
First Ascent:1979
Easiest Route: climbing

Terra Tower is a 5790feet sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States.[3] This 350-foot-high tower is situated on the Redlands escarpment, approximately seven miles west of the community of Grand Junction. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 1000abbr=offNaNabbr=off above the Tiara Rado Golf Course in approximately one-half mile. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1979 by Harvey Carter and Tom Merrill via the route, Way Bazaar.

Geology

This tower is the remnant of a differentially eroded fin composed primarily of cliff-forming Wingate Sandstone, which consists of wind-borne, cross-bedded quartzose sandstones deposited as ancient sand dunes approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. The caprock at the summit consists of fluvial sandstones of the resistant Kayenta Formation. The slope around the base of Terra Tower is Chinle Formation.[4] Precipitation runoff from this geographical feature drains to the Colorado River, approximately two miles to the northeast.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Terra Tower is located in a semi-arid climate zone.[5] Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cold with some snow. Temperatures reach 100°F on 5.3 days, 90°F on 57 days, and remain at or below freezing on 13 days annually. April through October offer the most favorable weather to visit.

Climbing

Established rock climbing routes on Terra Tower:[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Terra Tower - 5,790' CO. listsofjohn.com. 2021-07-15.
  2. https://www.nps.gov/colm/learn/nature/geologic-formations.htm Geologic Formations, National Park Service
  3. Stewart M. Green, 2019, Rock Climbing Colorado A Guide to More Than 1,800 Routes, Falcon Guides,, page 463.
  4. Stanley William Lohman, The Geologic Story of Colorado National Monument, Geological Survey Bulletin 1508, pages 28-30.
  5. Peel, M. C. . Finlayson, B. L. . McMahon, T. A. . 2007 . Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification . Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. . 11 . 1027-5606.
  6. Stewart M. Green, 2019, Rock Climbing Colorado A Guide to More Than 1,800 Routes, Falcon Guides,, page 465.