Pyramid Rock (New Mexico)

Pyramid Rock
South aspect
Highest point
Elevation7,487 ft (2,282 m)[1][2]
Prominence497 ft (151 m)[1][2]
Isolation2.68 mi (4.31 km)[2]
Coordinates35°33′18″N 108°37′02″W / 35.5550221°N 108.6173034°W / 35.5550221; -108.6173034[3]
Geography
Pyramid Rock is located in New Mexico
Pyramid Rock
Pyramid Rock
Location in New Mexico
Pyramid Rock is located in the United States
Pyramid Rock
Pyramid Rock
Pyramid Rock (the United States)
CountryUnited States
StateNew Mexico
CountyMcKinley
Parent rangeZuñi Mountains
Colorado Plateau
Topo mapUSGS Church Rock
Geology
Rock ageLate Jurassic
Rock typeMorrison Formation
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 1 hiking[2]

Pyramid Rock is a 7,487-foot-elevation (2,282-meter) pillar in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States.

Description

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Pyramid 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

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Pyramid 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

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According 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

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  1. ^ a b c "Pyramid Rock, New Mexico". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  2. ^ a b c d "Pyramid Rock - 7,487' NM". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  3. ^ a b "Pyramid Rock". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  4. ^ Red Rock Park, Visitgallup.com, Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  5. ^ New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. ^ Red Rock Park, New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  7. ^ 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.
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