Cathedral Mountain

1929

2006

Description:

Plate 1216X. Cathedral Mountain 1929 – 2006 Viewed northwest across the Virgin River to Cathedral Mountain (6,930 ft) in Zion National Park. The photopoint is on the old trail to The Grotto and is very difficult to follow because the path has not been maintained for many years. In addition, the original camera station is now blocked by a dense growth of woody vegetation, so the retake was made from the nearest open area on a steep cut-bank. Cottonwoods have increased in height at the Grotto Picnic Area and now block the view of the river. The channel has stabilized and narrowed, however, due to the revetments and gabions that have been built to protect park infrastructure (Hereford et al 1996, Grand Canyon Trust 2001). Note the abundance of cottonwood saplings and seedlings along the Virgin River in 1929, age classes that are lacking today due to repeated browsing by an unnatural concentration of mule deer (Ripple and Beschta 2006). Pinyon, juniper, turbinella oak, Utah serviceberry, and other woody species have increased on the talus slopes.

Photo Information:

Original photograph taken by Grant (Z-134) on September 11, 1929; retake by Charles E. Kay on June 8, 2006 - - Photo No. 5643-36A. Original photograph (Zion 12366) held by the National Park Service, Zion National Park, Springdale, UT.

Vegetative Community:

Riparian, Pinyon, Juniper, Mountain Brush

Location:

South West: Section 2, Range 10 West, Township 41 South; UTM 327400 E, 4125000 N; elevation 4,400 ft.

January 2018