Pyramid Rock is a 7,487-foot-elevation (2,282-meter) pillar in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States.
| Pyramid Rock | |
|---|---|
.jpg) South aspect | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,487 ft (2,282 m)[1][2] |
| Prominence | 497 ft (151 m)[1][2] |
| Isolation | 2.68 mi (4.31 km)[2] |
| Coordinates | 35°33′18″N 108°37′02″W / 35.5550221°N 108.6173034°W[3] |
| Geography | |
  Pyramid Rock Location in New Mexico  Pyramid Rock Pyramid Rock (the United States) | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | McKinley |
| Parent range | Zuñi Mountains Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Church Rock |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Late Jurassic |
| Type of rock | Morrison Formation |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | class 1 hiking[2] |
Description
editPyramid Rock is part of the Zuñi Mountains.[1] The prominent landmark is located six miles (9.7 km) east-northeast of Gallup, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northwest of the town of Church Rock, and can be seen from Interstate 40. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 700 feet (213 meters) in one-quarter mile (0.4 km). A 3.4 mile (round-trip) hiking trail provides access to the summit.[4] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the Puerco River. This landform's descriptive toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[3]
Geology
editPyramid Rock is composed of the Morrison Formation which dates to the Late Jurassic.[5] This stratum overlays Zuni Sandstone, Bluff Sandstone, Summerville Formation, and Entrada Sandstone in descending order.[6]
Climate
editAccording to the Köppen climate classification system, Pyramid Rock is located in a cool semiarid climate zone (Köppen BSk).[7] The summers are hot during the day, but the high altitude and low humidity mean that nights remain distinctly cool. Most rain falls in the summer from afternoon thunderstorms, and winter snow is common and sometimes heavy.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Pyramid Rock, New Mexico". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
- ^ a b c d "Pyramid Rock - 7,487' NM". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
- ^ a b "Pyramid Rock". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
- ^ Red Rock Park, Visitgallup.com, Retrieved 2024-07-02.
- ^ New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Retrieved 2024-07-02.
- ^ Red Rock Park, New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Retrieved 2024-07-02.
- ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.
External links
edit- Pyramid Rock (photo): Flickr
- Pyramid Rock Trail: Outdoorproject.com
