Cathedral Rock

For the rock formation in the Australian state of Tasmania, see Cathedral Rock, Tasmania. For other uses, see Cathedral Rock (disambiguation).
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock at sunset
Highest point
Elevation4,967 ft (1,514 m) NGVD 29[1]
Prominence284 ft (87 m)[1]
Coordinates34°49′12″N 111°47′36″W / 34.8200185°N 111.7932108°W / 34.8200185; -111.7932108[2]
Geography
Cathedral Rock is located in Arizona
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock is located in the United States
Cathedral Rock
LocationYavapai County, Arizona, U.S.
Topo mapUSGS Sedona

Cathedral Rock is a natural sandstone butte near Sedona, Arizona, and one of the most-photographed sights in Arizona, United States.[3] The rock formation is located in the Coconino National Forest in Yavapai County, about 1 mi (1.6 km) west of Arizona Route 179, and about 2.5 mi (4.0 km) south of the "Y" intersection of State Routes 179 and 89A in uptown Sedona. The summit elevation of Cathedral Rock is 4,967 ft (1,514 m).[1]

The Cathedral Rock trail (USFS Trail #170) is a popular short, steep ascent from the Back O' Beyond trailhead to the saddle points or "gaps" in Cathedral Rock.[4]

Geologically, Cathedral Rock is carved from the Permian Schnebly Hill formation, a redbed sandstone formed from coastal sand dunes near the shoreline of the ancient Pedregosa Sea. Ripple marks are prominent along the lower Cathedral Rock trail, and a black basalt dike may be seen in the first saddle.[3]

Cathedral Rock was called "Court House Rock" on some early maps,[2] and Courthouse Butte was called "Church House Rock",[5] which has caused endless confusion ever since.

  1. ^ a b c "Cathedral Rock, Arizona". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
  2. ^ a b "Cathedral Rock". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
  3. ^ a b Ranney, Wayne (2010). Sedona Through Time: A Guide to Sedona's Geology (3rd ed.). Zia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9701203-8-0.
  4. ^ "Cathedral Rock trail". WildSedona.com. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
  5. ^ "Courthouese Butte". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2016-08-22.