Echo Tower


Echo Tower is a pillar in Grand County, Utah, United States.

Description

Echo Tower is located northeast of Moab, Utah, in the Fisher Towers, on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Echo ranks as the third-steepest peak in the United States. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above the tower's base. Precipitation runoff from the tower drains to Onion Creek which empties into the Colorado River, approximately three miles to the west. Access is via Fisher Towers Road from Route 128, and hiking the Fisher Towers Trail. Echo Tower is briefly shown in the opening scene of the film Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Climbing

The first ascent of the summit was made on October 19, 1966, by Harvey T. Carter, Fred Beckey, and Eric Bjørnstad via the North Chimney route.
Other rock-climbing routes on Echo Tower:
  • Run Amok - – Jim Beyer –
  • Phantom Sprint – class 5.9 – Jim Beyer –
  • The Tapeworm – class 5.8 – Brad Jarrett, Brian Warshaw –
  • Emotional Grafitti – class 5.10 – Mike Baker, Leslie Henderson, Zach Merritt –
  • The Iron Chef – class 5.7 – Chip Wilson, Steve Bartlett –
  • Sidewinder – class 5.7+ – Paul Gagner, Jeremy Aslaksen –
  • Bad Religons – Jim Beyer

    Geology

Echo Tower is set on a fin and is composed of sandstone and mudstone of the Permian Cutler Formation. The reddish coloration of the rock is a result of varying amounts of hematite.

Climate

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Echo Tower. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a cold semi-arid climate zone with cold winters and hot summers. Summers highs rarely exceed. Summer nights are comfortably cool, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winters are cold, but daytime highs are usually above freezing. Winter temperatures below are uncommon, though possible. This desert climate receives less than of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.