| The Oracle | |
| Elevation Ft: | 6060. |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 120. |
| Isolation Mi: | 0.15 |
| Country: | United States |
| Region Type: | County |
| Map: | Utah#USA |
| Map Size: | 210 |
| Label Position: | left |
| Coordinates: | 38.7209°N -109.2968°W |
| Coordinates Ref: | [2] |
| Topo: | USGS Fisher Towers |
| First Ascent: | 1970 |
The Oracle is a 6060feet pillar in Grand County, Utah, United States.
The Oracle is located 17miles northeast of Moab, Utah, in the Fisher Towers, on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 1000abbr=offNaNabbr=off above surrounding terrain in 0.1miles. 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.
The Oracle is set on a fin and is composed of two principal strata of sandstone and mudstone: Permian Cutler Formation capped by Early Triassic Moenkopi Formation. There is an unconformity between the Cutler and the Moenkopi layers.[3] The reddish coloration of the rock is a result of varying amounts of hematite.[4]
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit The Oracle. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a cold semi-arid climate zone with cold winters and hot summers.[5] Summers highs rarely exceed 100°F. Summer nights are comfortably cool, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winters are cold, but daytime highs are usually above freezing. Winter temperatures below 0°F are uncommon, though possible. This desert climate receives less than 10abbr=offNaNabbr=off of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.
The first ascent of the summit was made in 1970 by Harvey T. Carter Tom Merrill, Steve Kentz, and Mike Pokress via the Fantasia route on the south ridge.[6]
Other rock-climbing routes on The Oracle:[2]