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Oquirrh Mountains: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°22′21″N 112°11′21″W / 40.3724°N 112.1891°W / 40.3724; -112.1891
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{{short description |Mountain range in Utah, USA}}
{{Refimprove|date=July 2008}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2008}}
<!--{{Original research|date=July 2008}}-->
<!--{{Original research|date=July 2008}}-->
{{Infobox mountain range
{{Infobox mountain
| name=Oquirrh Mountains
| name=Oquirrh Mountains
| photo= File:N end of the Oquirrh Mountains UT.jpg
| photo=The Oquirrh Mountains (79047224).jpg
| photo_caption=North end of the Oquirrh Mountains, view from the descent to the Salt Lake City airport
| photo_caption= [[Lowe Peak (Utah)|Lowe Peak]] centered on the skyline
| photo_size=300
| photo_size= 300px
| country=United States
| country= United States
| state=Utah
| subdivision1= Utah
| district=[[Salt Lake County, Utah|Salt Lake]]
| subdivision3= {{hlist|[[Salt Lake County, Utah|Salt Lake]]|[[Tooele County, Utah|Tooele]]|[[Utah County, Utah|Utah]]}}
| subdivision3_type=Counties
| district1=[[Tooele County, Utah|Tooele]]
⚫
| parent= Great Basin
| district2=[[Utah County, Utah|Utah]]
⚫
| range_coordinates=
| district_type=Counties
⚫
| geology=
⚫
| parent=Great Basin
| borders_on= {{hlist|[[Great Salt Lake]]|[[Tooele Valley]]|[[Rush Valley (Utah)|Rush Valley]]|[[Salt Lake City]]|[[Cedar Valley (Utah)|Cedar Valley]]}}
⚫
| range_coordinates =
⚫
| geology=
| border=[[Great Salt Lake]]
| border1=[[Tooele Valley]]
| border2=[[Rush Valley (Utah)|Rush Valley]]
| border3=[[Salt Lake City]]
| border4=[[Cedar Valley (Utah)|Cedar Valley]]
| period=
| orogeny=
| orogeny=
| area_mi2=
| area_mi2=
| length_mi=30 | length_orientation=N-S
| length_mi=30
| length_orientation=N-S
| width_mi=15 | width_orientation=E-W
| width_mi=15
| width_orientation=E-W
| highest=Flat Top Mountain
| highest=Flat Top Mountain
| highest_location =
| highest_location=
| elevation_m =
| elevation_m=
|elevation={{convert|10613|ft|m|0|lk=off|abbr=on}}
| elevation={{convert|10613|ft|m|0|lk=off|abbr=on}}
| elevation_ref = <ref>{{cite gnis|id=1428004|name=Flat Top Mountain}}</ref>
| elevation_ref=<ref>{{cite gnis|id= 1428004|name=Flat Top Mountain}}</ref>
| coordinates = {{coord|40.3724|-112.1891|type:mountain_region:US-UT|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates= {{coord|40.3724|-112.1891|type:mountain_region:US-UT|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| map = Utah
| map= Utah#USA
| map_caption = Oquirrh Mountains in [[Utah]]
| map_caption= Oquirrh Mountains in [[Utah]]
| map_size = 224
| map_size= 224
}}
}}
The '''Oquirrh Mountains''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|k|ər}} is a mountain range that runs north-south for approximately 30 miles (50&nbsp;km) to form the west side of [[Utah]]'s [[Salt Lake Valley]], separating it from Tooele Valley. The range runs from northwestern [[Utah County]]&ndash;central & eastern [[Tooele County, UT|Tooele County]], to the south shore of the [[Great Salt Lake]]. The highest elevation is [[Flat Top Mountain (Utah)]] at 10,620&nbsp;ft (3,237 m). The name Oquirrh was taken from the [[Goshute]] word meaning "wood sitting." <ref>William Bright, ed. ''Native American Placenames of the United States'' (2004, University of Oklahoma Press)</ref>
The '''Oquirrh Mountains''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|k|ər}} {{respell|OH|kər}}) is a mountain range that runs north–south for approximately 30 miles (50&nbsp;km) to form the west side of [[Utah]]'s [[Salt Lake Valley]], separating it from Tooele Valley. The range runs from northwestern [[Utah County]]&ndash;central & eastern [[Tooele County, UT|Tooele County]], to the south shore of the [[Great Salt Lake]]. The highest elevation is [[Flat Top Mountain (Utah)|Flat Top Mountain]] at 10,620&nbsp;ft (3,237 m). The name Oquirrh was taken from the [[Goshute]] word meaning "wood sitting."<ref>William Bright, ed. ''Native American Placenames of the United States'' (2004, University of Oklahoma Press)</ref>


The Oquirrh Mountains have been mined for [[gold]], [[silver]], [[lead]], and most famously for [[copper]], as home of the [[porphyry copper deposit]] at [[Bingham Canyon Mine]], one of the world's largest [[open pit mine]]s. As seen from [[Salt Lake City]], the view of the mountain range is dominated by the displaced rock material (known as [[overburden]]) dug from the Kennecott mine. At the north end of the range is Kennecott's smelter complex which refines ore concentrates from the mine into useful metals. Dark colored tailings from past metal refining at the complex can be observed from the adjacent freeway, [[Interstate 80 in Utah|I-80]]. The value of the minerals taken from the range has been estimated to far exceed the combined value of those taken in the California, Nevada, and Klondike gold and silver rushes.
The Oquirrh Mountains have been mined for [[gold]], [[silver]], [[lead]], and most famously for [[copper]], as home of the [[porphyry copper deposit]] at [[Bingham Canyon Mine]], one of the world's largest [[open pit mine]]s. As seen from [[Salt Lake City]], the view of the mountain range is dominated by the displaced rock material (known as [[overburden]]) dug from the Kennecott mine. At the north end of the range is Kennecott's smelter complex, which refines ore concentrates from the mine into useful metals. Dark-colored tailings from past metal refining at the complex can be observed from the adjacent freeway, [[Interstate 80 in Utah|I-80]]. The value of the minerals taken from the range has been estimated to far exceed the combined value of those taken in the California, Nevada, and Klondike gold and silver rushes.


In the winter months, the mountains become home to a small population of [[bald eagle]]s, which can often be found in the cliffs on the west side of the range down to the reservoir near the town of [[Stockton, Utah|Stockton]].
In the winter months, the mountains become home to a small population of [[bald eagle]]s, which can often be found in the cliffs on the west side of the range down to the reservoir near the town of [[Stockton, Utah|Stockton]].


The range has many canyons and dense forests, consisting mainly of conifers and aspen. The area is also home to thriving populations of butterflies, deer, mountain lions, and squirrels. Two of the most popular canyons are Yellow Fork Canyon and [[Butterfield Canyon (Utah)|Butterfield Canyon]]. Yellow Fork Canyon is home to a trail administered by Salt Lake County and numerous gated communities. Butterfield Canyon contains a paved road (with the exception of a 1/4 mile portion on the [[Tooele, Utah|Tooele]] side that is well maintained dirt) that connects [[Tooele, Utah|Tooele]] with [[Herriman, Utah|Herriman]]. Butterfield Canyon road climbs to a summit of 9,180&nbsp;ft. above sea level. At night the mouth of the canyon is a dangerous area as large herds of deer move into the farmlands for feeding.
The range has many canyons and dense forests, consisting mainly of conifers and aspen. The area is also home to thriving populations of butterflies, deer, mountain lions, and squirrels. Two of the most popular canyons are Yellow Fork Canyon and [[Butterfield Canyon (Utah)|Butterfield Canyon]]. Yellow Fork Canyon is home to a trail administered by Salt Lake County and numerous gated communities. Butterfield Canyon contains a paved road (with the exception of a 1/4 mile portion on the [[Tooele, Utah|Tooele]] side that is well-maintained dirt) that connects [[Tooele, Utah|Tooele]] with [[Herriman, Utah|Herriman]]. Butterfield Canyon road climbs to a summit of 9,180&nbsp;ft. above sea level. At night the mouth of the canyon is a dangerous area as large herds of deer move into the farmlands for feeding.


The north end of the mountain range features a peak known as [[Farnsworth Peak]] which houses almost all Salt Lake City [[Frequency Modulation|FM]] and [[Television|TV]] station transmitters. The peak is also used for emergency communications (such as [[police department|police]], [[fire department|fire]], and [[Emergency Medical Service|EMS]]). Several local businesses and [[amateur radio]] operators have transmitters on Farnsworth Peak.
The north end of the mountain range features a peak known as [[Farnsworth Peak]] which houses almost all Salt Lake City [[Frequency Modulation|FM]] and [[Television|TV]] station transmitters. The peak is also used for emergency communications (such as [[police department|police]], [[fire department|fire]], and [[Emergency Medical Service|EMS]]). Several local businesses and [[amateur radio]] operators have transmitters on Farnsworth Peak.
[[File:N end of the Oquirrh Mountains UT.jpg|thumb|center|upright=2.5|Aerial view of north end of Oquirrh Mountains near [[Magna, Utah]] and [[Lake Point, Utah]]]]
{{wide image|Oquirrh.jpg|500px|The Oquirrh Mountains as seen looking southwest from Salt Lake City's City Creek Canyon.|50%|left}}
{{clear left}}
{{clear left}}
[[File:Oquirrh Mountains, west of Salt Lake City.jpg|thumb|Oquirrh Mountains from over downtown SLC, 2006]]


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Farnsworth Peak]]
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*{{commonscat-inline|Oquirrh Mountains}}
*[[Nelson Peak (Utah)|Nelson Peak]]
*[[Harkers Canyon (Salt Lake County, Utah)|Harkers Canyon]]
*[[Harkers Canyon (Salt Lake County, Utah)|Harkers Canyon]]
*[[Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple]]
*[[Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple]]
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==External links==
==External links==
⚫
*{{Commons category-inline|Oquirrh Mountains}}
*[http://www.homesweetamerica.com/butterfield/pres0000.htm Pictures of Butterfield Canyon]
*[http://www.homesweetamerica.com/butterfield/pres0000.htm Pictures of Butterfield Canyon]


{{Utah}}
{{Utah}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Mountain ranges of Utah]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Utah]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 3 November 2024

Oquirrh Mountains
Lowe Peak centered on the skyline
Highest point
PeakFlat Top Mountain
Elevation10,613 ft (3,235 m)[1]
Coordinates40°22′21″N 112°11′21″W / 40.3724°N 112.1891°W / 40.3724; -112.1891
Dimensions
Length30 mi (48 km) N-S
Width15 mi (24 km) E-W
Geography
Oquirrh Mountains is located in Utah
Oquirrh Mountains
Oquirrh Mountains
Oquirrh Mountains in Utah
Oquirrh Mountains is located in the United States
Oquirrh Mountains
Oquirrh Mountains
Oquirrh Mountains (the United States)
CountryUnited States
StateUtah
Counties
Parent rangeGreat Basin
Borders on

The Oquirrh Mountains (/ˈoʊkər/ OH-kər) is a mountain range that runs north–south for approximately 30 miles (50 km) to form the west side of Utah's Salt Lake Valley, separating it from Tooele Valley. The range runs from northwestern Utah County–central & eastern Tooele County, to the south shore of the Great Salt Lake. The highest elevation is Flat Top Mountain at 10,620 ft (3,237 m). The name Oquirrh was taken from the Goshute word meaning "wood sitting."[2]

The Oquirrh Mountains have been mined for gold, silver, lead, and most famously for copper, as home of the porphyry copper deposit at Bingham Canyon Mine, one of the world's largest open pit mines. As seen from Salt Lake City, the view of the mountain range is dominated by the displaced rock material (known as overburden) dug from the Kennecott mine. At the north end of the range is Kennecott's smelter complex, which refines ore concentrates from the mine into useful metals. Dark-colored tailings from past metal refining at the complex can be observed from the adjacent freeway, I-80. The value of the minerals taken from the range has been estimated to far exceed the combined value of those taken in the California, Nevada, and Klondike gold and silver rushes.

In the winter months, the mountains become home to a small population of bald eagles, which can often be found in the cliffs on the west side of the range down to the reservoir near the town of Stockton.

The range has many canyons and dense forests, consisting mainly of conifers and aspen. The area is also home to thriving populations of butterflies, deer, mountain lions, and squirrels. Two of the most popular canyons are Yellow Fork Canyon and Butterfield Canyon. Yellow Fork Canyon is home to a trail administered by Salt Lake County and numerous gated communities. Butterfield Canyon contains a paved road (with the exception of a 1/4 mile portion on the Tooele side that is well-maintained dirt) that connects Tooele with Herriman. Butterfield Canyon road climbs to a summit of 9,180 ft. above sea level. At night the mouth of the canyon is a dangerous area as large herds of deer move into the farmlands for feeding.

The north end of the mountain range features a peak known as Farnsworth Peak which houses almost all Salt Lake City FM and TV station transmitters. The peak is also used for emergency communications (such as police, fire, and EMS). Several local businesses and amateur radio operators have transmitters on Farnsworth Peak.

Aerial view of north end of Oquirrh Mountains near Magna, Utah and Lake Point, Utah

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Flat Top Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ William Bright, ed. Native American Placenames of the United States (2004, University of Oklahoma Press)
[edit]
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