Capitol Butte | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 6,355 ft (1,937 m) [1] [2] |
Prominence | 1,455 ft (443 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Wilson Mountain (7,122 ft) [1] |
Isolation | 3.36 mi (5.41 km) [1] |
Coordinates | 34°53′10″N 111°48′26″W / 34.8861582°N 111.8071347°W [3] |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | Arizona |
County | Yavapai |
Protected area | Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness |
Parent range | Colorado Plateau [4] |
Topo map | USGS Wilson Mountain |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Permian |
Type of rock |
Coconino Sandstone Schnebly Hill Formation |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | ( class 3) [1] Southwest ridge |
Capitol Butte is a 6,355-foot-elevation (1,937-meter) summit in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States.
Capitol Butte is located three miles immediately northwest of Sedona in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, on land managed by Coconino National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Lost Wilson Mountain 3.1 miles (5 km) to the north-northeast. [1] [4] Precipitation runoff from this feature drains to Oak Creek which is part of the Verde River watershed. [4] Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 1,700 feet (518 meters) above West Sedona in 0.6 mile (1 km). Capitol Butte is composed of light-colored Coconino Sandstone overlaying reddish Schnebly Hill Formation. [5]
The landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1971 by the United States Board on Geographic Names. [2] It is unknown how the butte came to be called "Capitol," [6] however it does resemble a capitol dome in appearance. [7] Previous variant names for the landform included Capital Butte, Gray Mountain, Grayback Mountain, and Judge Oteys Tombstone. [3] Locals call it "Thunder Mountain." [8]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Capitol Butte is located in a temperate semi-arid climate zone. [9] Climbers can expect afternoon rain and lightning from the seasonal monsoon in late July and August.