The Watchman is located immediately east of Springdale, towering 2,600 feet (790 meters) above the town and the floor of Zion Canyon. Zion's park headquarters, the park's south entrance, and Watchman Campground are situated immediately north-northwest of the mountain, which makes it one of the photographic icons of the park. The Watchman is wedged between the North and East Forks of the Virgin River which drain precipitation runoff from this mountain. Its neighbors include Mount Kinesava directly across the canyon to the west, Bridge Mountain, 1.66 mi (2.67 km) to the north-northeast, and The West Temple is positioned 2.9 mi (4.7 km) to the northwest.[1] This feature's name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[4] It is believed to be so named because it stands as a watchman guarding the south entrance to the park. It is unclear where the name may have originated; some believe it was Methodist Minister Frederick Vining Fisher. Early pioneers referred to this peak as Flanigan Peak because the Flanigan family homestead was set at the base of this feature.[5] This mountain is composed of Navajo Sandstone, with a red shaleoutcropping of the Kayenta Formation along the lower slopes.[6]
Climate
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit The Watchman. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below 32 °F (0 °C), and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than 10 inches (250 millimeters) of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.[7]
Gallery
The Watchman and North Fork Virgin River from the north
West aspect seen from Springdale, Johnson Mountain to right. (very large file)
