| Three Penguins | |
| Elevation Ft: | 4488 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 120. |
| Prominence Ref: | [2] |
| Isolation Mi: | 0.65 |
| Map: | Utah#USA |
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Utah |
| Region: | Grand |
| Region Type: | County |
| Part Type: | Protected area |
| Part: | Arches National Park |
| Range: | Colorado Plateau |
| Coordinates: | 38.6192°N -109.6179°W |
| Topo: | USGS Moab |
| First Ascent: | 1976 |
| Rock: | Entrada Sandstone[3] |
| Age: | Jurassic |
| Easiest Route: | climbing |
Three Penguins is a 4488feet summit in Grand County, Utah, United States.
Three Penguins is located within Arches National Park and it is the first notable rock feature to greet visitors as they enter the park on the main road.[4] Like many of the rock formations in the park, it is composed of Entrada Sandstone, specifically the Slick Rock Member overlaying the Dewey Bridge Member.[3] [5] The tower is 140 feet tall,[6] and topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 350abbr=offNaNabbr=off above Moab Canyon in 0.15miles. Precipitation runoff from Three Penguins drains to the nearby Colorado River via Moab Canyon. This landform's descriptive toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[1]
The first ascent of the summit was made in November 1976 by Larry Bruce, Molly Higgins, and Michael Kennedy via the Center Chimney.[7] [8]
Other rock-climbing routes on Three Penguins:
The Right Chimney is considered one of the best rock-climbing routes in the park.[6]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Three Penguins is located in a cold semi-arid climate zone with cold winters and hot summers.[12] Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to experience Arches National Park, when highs average 60F80F and lows average 30F50F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100F. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30F50F, and lows averaging 0F20F. As part of a high desert region, it can experience wide daily temperature fluctuations. The park receives an average of less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain annually.