Greatheart Mesa
Greatheart Mesa is a summit in Washington County, Utah, United States.
Description
Greatheart Mesa is located north of Springdale, Utah, in Zion National Park. The mesa is composed of white Navajo Sandstone with a ponderosa pine forest covering the top. The landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1935 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. It was so named after the heroic character named "Greatheart" in the novel The Pilgrim's Progress, and because this white-walled mesa would require a person with a stout, great heart to climb it. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into North Creek which is a tributary of the Virgin River.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Greatheart Mesa is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below 32 °F, and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter. Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Greatheart Mesa.