Whites Butte

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Whites Butte
northwest aspect
(on Colorado River,
West Granite Gorge)
South Rim on horizon
Highest point
Elevation4,860 ft (1,480 m)[1]
Prominence360 ft (110 m)[1]
Parent peakVesta Temple
(South Rim)[2]
Coordinates36°05′51″N 112°13′53″W / 36.0976°N 112.2313°W / 36.0976; -112.2313
Geography
Whites.Butte is located in Arizona
Whites.Butte
Whites.Butte
LocationGrand Canyon
Coconino County, Arizona. U.S.
Topo mapUSPS Grand Canyon
Geology
Age of rockPennsylvanian down to Early Paleoproterozoic
Mountain typesedimentary rock: sandstone siltstone mudstone limestone shale sandstone
Type of rock(Supai Group
(4-units))
2-Manakacha Formation-(cliff-remainder prominence, (unit no. 2 of 4)
1-Watahomigi Formation,
Redwall Limestone-(massif)
(Tonto Group (3 of 3))
_3-Muav Limestone
_2-Bright Angel Shale
_1-Tapeats Sandstone
Vishnu Basement Rocks

Whites Butte is a 4,860-foot (1,480 m) prominence adjacent the course of the Colorado River near the beginning of the Western Grand Canyon, (west terminus of the South Rim). The butte lies at the terminus of Travertine Canyon, the adjacent canyon west of Hermit Canyon. The Boucher Trail which begins at Upper Hermit Canyon, courses the east base of Whites Butte to reach the Tonto Trail-(west), on the Tonto Platform, south side of the Colorado River.[citation needed]

Geology & Biology[edit]

Whites Butte (west aspect), showing pyramidal-shaped prominence

The horizontal top of Whites Butte is a large platform of the cliff-forming Redwall Limestone, with vegetation growth.[1] The east flank of the Redwall is slightly arcuate, and the prominence, upon the Redwall Limestone, is also arcuate, with a peak remainder of a pyramid-shaped, sloped Supai Group (4 of 4 geological units). The prominence is a minuscule cliff of Supai Group (unit 2), Manakacha Formation. Slope-forming slopes of Watahomigi Formation are below the high point of cliffs of Manachaka, which protect the slopes, and help form the pyramidal shape of the prominence.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Whites Butte, AZ – 4,860' AZ". Lists of John. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  2. ^ "Whites Butte, Arizona". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-01-09.

External links[edit]