Argon Tower is a 4,750-foot-elevation (1,448-meter) sandstone pillar located in Grand County, Utah, within Arches National Park. It is composed of Entrada Sandstone, a Jurassic-era rock formation common to the park. The tower stands approximately 260 feet (79 meters) tall, with significant topographic relief: its summit rises 450 feet (137 meters) above the Park Avenue Trail over a lateral distance of 400 feet (122 meters).
Geography and Geology
Argon Tower is situated at coordinates 38°37′59″N 109°36′07″W, on the Colorado Plateau. Precipitation runoff from the formation drains to the Colorado River via Courthouse Wash. The rock is Entrada Sandstone, dating to the Jurassic period. The tower has a prominence of 230 feet (70 meters), with its parent peak being The Organ (4,735 ft). Its topographic isolation is 0.28 miles (0.45 km).
Climbing History
The first ascent of Argon Tower was completed on January 17, 1964, by climbers Layton Kor, Bob Bradley, and Charlie Kemp via the North Face route, rated class 5.9. Layton Kor also named the tower. Additional climbing routes include the North Northeast Arête (class 5.11) and the West Face (class 5.11), first climbed by John Pease and Steve Cheyney in 1972.
Naming
Layton Kor named the formation "Argon Tower," though later in life he could not recall the specific reason for the choice. It has been suggested that the name may be a play on words referencing the nearby formation known as The Organ (Argon ← Organ).
Climate
Under the Köppen climate classification, Argon Tower lies in a cold semi-arid climate zone. Winters are cold, with average highs of 30–50 °F (0–10 °C) and lows of 0–20 °F (−20 to −5 °C). Summers are hot, often exceeding 100 °F (40 °C). Spring and fall are considered the most favorable seasons for visitation, with highs averaging 60–80 °F (15–25 °C). The area receives less than 10 inches (25 cm) of annual precipitation.
In Popular Culture
Argon Tower was shown briefly in the opening scene credits of the 1989 American action-adventure film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
