Magma and Limestone Met at America's Second Tallest Cliff: Notch Peak, Utah

Journey to the vast and spectacular House Range in the west desert of Utah with geology professor Shawn Willsey to investigate the outstanding outcrops near Notch Peak, the second tallest cliff face in the U.S. Learn how intrusions of magma during the Jurassic (~170 million years ago) invaded and changed Cambrian (~520 million years old) limestone.
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[@RollingEasy]

I worked in oil exploration as a young man. It was through every desert in the country apart from one. There is something just so majestic about being a thousand miles from anywhere and from almost from anyone. The sky is God's canvas. The moon and the stars at night, no city person could ever know their absolute beauty. You can read a book under the moon and by starlight. One time after a few very hard weeks, we were all laid up and camped under a huge mesa for a few days waiting to be evacuated by plane. A group of 30 men and their gear and their machines and their bunks under the stars and someone was playing Willie Nelson's 'Stardust' over and over again. When I got back home to the city, I bought the tape and have it still to this very day. 'Stardust' just takes me back to the desert nights every time I play it. I often think of driving back out there and 'leaving this earth',out there when I'm older and ready to go. Sorry. I got right off the track. Great video and I'll get back to it and pay it more attention. Thanks.

[@jeffbybee5207]

There's another song that give me the same feeling aroura borialious by cw McCall. This song I have trouble spelling about the northern lights takes me back to the green River plains of wyoming when the full moon would rise down river hard to beleave how big it is

[@RollingEasy]

@@jeffbybee5207 I'll look up that song and have a listen. I can understand your attachment to music and places esp when they're 'country'. I'll also look up Green River Plains as I'm certain it would be the very type of country I'd love as well. Just on CW McCall, for the first time the other day I heard him sing the song (not sure the title), something like 'Roses for his Mother'.... I really liked it. I added it to my 'KZbin' channel playlist. Apologies for writing all over Shawn Willsey's posting but it was a great video and conversation starter.

[@hardrocklobsterroll395]

This was a great anecdote. I don’t think you should apologize for sharing your experiences, they’re awesome!

[@NotforNow-eb9tb]

I love geology. You never stop learning something new.

[@LouinVB]

In the 1980s I lived in Salt Lake City. I used to come to Antelope Springs & the House Range to collect trilobite fossils. This was before mineral claims were filed & the area became commercialized. Cambrian shale exposures were everywhere. I collected 100s of trilobites over a period of four years. This is a world class area for trilobite collectors.

[@frankbush8368]

Did you find any other minerals in this area with the pegmatites and such? crystal pockets?

[@Vbluevital]

I gave away an unusual trilobite to a geology professor at a university. He was thrilled saying the museum doesn't even have one of these. I was pleased yet decades later I have known idea what it was or why it was so rare. Any Guesses?

[@BC_Cutler]

Thanks for this great video, Shawn! Notch Peak is one of Utah's best kept secrets! It really is an amazing place. The last time I was there a few years ago I camped along the side of the dirt road (I wasn't sure if my car could go any further) just below where you filmed this video. Probably where you parked your truck! 😂 It was early October and that night was the most eerily quiet night I've ever experienced. No people. No wind. No insect noises. Just the occasional sound of an owl hooting in the distance and a few jets passing high overhead. And the stars were spectacular! some of the darkest night skies in the country! And of course, the geology can't be beat! Hiking up the "notch" on the west side is amazing! Hiking to the summit and walking through the ancient bristlecones on the east side is amazing! I can't wait to go back!!! 😄

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

The beauty is almost overwhelming! Such magnificent contrasting layers. Thank you for providing this incredible scene and explaining its origins.

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hunt4redoctober628]

This geology is beyond spectacular! Just incredible to see. Thanks Shawn for sharing.

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@shawnwillsey]

You can support my field videos by clicking on the "Thanks" button just above (right of Like button) or by going here: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EWUSLG3GBS5W8

[@alien-bass]

This one needs to be available on ABC. A fantastic presentation and explanation.

[@shawnwillsey]

Wow, thank you!

[@MrSnowlver]

This is one of my favorite places. I spent time in geology field camp mapping this valley (in 90s). It is so beautiful and I love to visit (from NV). I'm stoked to find this video, I keep trying to convince family to come camp there with me. And your geology explanation is spot on.

[@pcatful]

I'd like to see that art!

[@rufusmclean9770]

I will show this to my geology class. Thanks for your work.

[@shawnwillsey]

Please do! Thanks for sharing.

[@jolliff5902]

Thank you so much and particularly for not hammering any of the rock in your video.

[@Rachel.4644]

Wow, gorgeous and exciting rocks! Fantastic scenery... how cool to have it explained. Thanks so much, Shawn.

[@LisaBelleBC]

OMGosh! I could tell you were so excited exploring this site! It’s great to see other people get as excited about geology as I do! Thanks again!

[@shawnwillsey]

Totally!

[@agmartin2127]

We just drove by this peak taking an all back roads road trip to Seattle. I saw the peak and remembered it from the video! Now planing some sort of Basin and Range circumnavigation bike tour (self supported, likely solo) this Spring, 2024. Like all the other commenters and Shawn said, it's a stunning and beautiful in a very, very remote area. And of course, another excellent video Shawn... learned a lot as usual.

[@remorrey]

Thanks! I've lived in the area but have never had such a splendid and enthusiastic explanation. Love your field trips.

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks for your support. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@michaellangenheim725]

One of my favorite places in Utah! Been there a number of times and the landscape has inspired the art I make. Nice to learn more about the geology out there. Thanks!

[@russellamaru5175]

Fascinating geological field trip for us arm-chair geology buffs. Thanks for the awesome presentation of granitic intrusions into and around Cambrian limestones in the House Range of Utah. Looking forward to more of your vids.

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lanereese9303]

We loved it so much we sold our house in Dallas and moved out to utah. We will be going back out to the house range, conger and wha wha ranges. Incredible geology not to mention aincient lake Bonaville

[@farmboypresents9977]

I drove through Utah in 2002. Loved it. Around every corner was a new and improbable sight.

[@d.jensen5153]

It took time for me time to appreciate the geology of Utah - I've always been partial to the Idaho Batholith, and Custer County in particular. Exploring the San Rafael Swell and Capitol Reef N.P. really opened my eyes. It's different, but it's outstanding.

[@Riverguide33]

A great find. Thanks for your explanations. 👍🏼

[@thaddeusjones7868]

Excellent. Thanks for the sequence of events at the end. Helped peice it all together.

[@sdmike1141]

Thanks! For the “giddy”🤣. Beautiful rocks!!

[@davidroth4514]

I would like to thank you for doing these videos ! I love this kind of thing but I can not get to go see these things for myself ! I'm stuck taken care of my mom ! I just want to say thank you again !

[@adediver]

Hi from Devon in the UK. Really enjoying your videos and your enthusiasm. Where I live is on the edge of Dartmoor which I believe is mostly granite. There are working mines for China Clay and Tungsten near by.

[@patriciamurray5189]

Wow! You are a great teacher! Thank you!

[@markoberg9394]

I once flew a small airplane over the summit of Notch Peak very low, heading NW. The visual effect of that drop was surreal, unsettling.

[@williamogilvie6909]

Great presentation. I really enjoyed the views and explanation.

[@kevindorland738]

Thank you Professor.

[@jdean1851]

AWESOME STUFF! THANX 4 SHARING!

[@Vbluevital]

Your drawing was good. Loved the geology, Thank You

[@pcatful]

Thanks. Great demonstration!

[@billroberts9182]

That is a spectacular contact! I'm going to try and visit it. Thx!

[@pablograncanaria]

What a great lesson. I loved it. Thank you!

[@3xHermes]

Great location, story, and cross section!

[@DavidHuber63]

Thank you, Brother

[@Mr_badjoke]

Another good one man that was fun 🤙 I'm in Cincinnati the ordovician & glacial max. Love it!

[@laurafolsom2048]

Thank you!

[@bravendyer9529]

House range …….. got it . New camp 🏕️ site . You’re the man ! 👋

[@CricketsMa]

Just exquisite formations! The lighting, WOW!

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

Fascinating. Thanks.

[@kingswayguitar]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing

[@brigidsingleton1596]

I love those stripey limestones ... I"ve never seen that before. Would love a "chunk" of it to have on display in my home, just to look at and admire. Beautiful. Thank you for this view and explanation. ❤ 😊

[@SueFerreira75]

What fascinating rocks! Thanks for your explanations.

[@tompowers8495]

Great descriptions professor!!!!!!!

[@shawnwillsey]

Glad you like them!

[@gregorypowell9132]

You, my friend, are amazing

[@NigelNaughton]

This is awesome. What a beautiful place. So many of the places you go to. I go to the maps to mark them down but realize I've already saved them in my locations so I can visit them or I have visited them in the past. Keep up the good work

[@loisrossi841]

Very nic, had not ever seen the black/white ljayered rocks. Thank you.

[@BobKeefe]

Very stunning and picturesque views. Thanks for sharing it and explaining how it came to be 😃

[@davidivers9295]

Thanks Shawn! We viewed the recent annular eclipse from this area and hiked the Norch Peak trail. Great to know the Geology behind this remote range.

[@dancooper8551]

Wow! So much going on here. Ashamed to say that I never even heard of this area. Thanks.

[@fallinginthed33p]

I was reading about pegmatites and magmatic intrusions yesterday and now you've made a great video showing both in real life. Nice!

[@kellykelly7747]

Wow!!! I've never heard of Notch Peak. Amazing ❤

[@tolson57]

Thank you. Notch Peak has fascinated me since I first saw pictures and video of it. It is on my list.

[@AhJodie]

Thank you so much.

[@shawnwillsey]

You're welcome!

[@owenkittredge3433]

Thanks!

[@shawnwillsey]

Your kind donation is much appreciated. Thanks!

[@jajphotog77]

That is some awesome, dramatic scenery! Thanks for the info on it!

[@shawnwillsey]

Any time!

[@seant2808]

Beautiful

[@brookeshaffer4377]

Awesome.Thanks Shawn.

[@Riovientoselva]

Exacto amigo ! Me encanta aprender pero en ocasiones el paisaje es tan espectacular, la luz tan hermosa y la soledad tan sobrecogedora que solo hay que sentarse y disfrutar. Aprecio mucho tus videos. Un abrazo desde el Perú.

[@shawnwillsey]

Gracias por tus amables palabras.

[@jforce91]

I think... as a "couch expert" maybe the black layers represent layers of limestone that have become more oxidised, since limestone weathers grey/black when exposed to the elements. in NZ we get a lot of limestone thats been stained black through dissolution of the naturally occuring manganese, phosphate etc in the stone :) It could also be volcanic ash thats been incorporated into the limestone when it was laid down.

[@antoniodelrio1292]

Great instruction. Thanks.

[@jakeanderson8156]

I love the west deserts of Utah! Notch peak and the House range is an absolutely stunning landscape. I hope you take a trip out to the Deep Creek mountains along the Utah, Nevada border.

[@rodchallis8031]

The "zebra" stripes on the limestone put me in mind of a varve. I wonder if they were deposited under an ocean that froze seasonally? The longest vertical drop cliff face is Thor's Mountain on Baffin Island. I look forward to you visiting there. Dress warm.

[@shawnwillsey]

Ha! If you fund the expedition, I'll go! Cambrian was warm and tropical here so no ice.

[@vickitatum540]

Very cool!

[@davidk7324]

"Baked." Gotta love it.

[@jackprier7727]

Okay, Shawn, thanks because "topographic expression" is itself an excellent topographic expression-

[@davidmckinley8340]

Thank you

[@hestheMaster]

What an amazing place that I never heard of. Got to get out west more often to see some unusual rock formations. Oh, and thanks for that excellent drawing explaining what we are seeing Shawn.

[@shawnwillsey]

You bet!

[@jackripleymaddiero]

Thanks

[@shawnwillsey]

Thank you!

[@MaxPixUT]

This morning I was out on the back patio with my coffee, looking at one of the limestone layered rocks I brought back from Notch Peak a few years ago. At that moment I was wondering if Professor Willsey had made any videos yet about Notch. So I checked YT this morning and bam! Thank you sir! I'm giddy every time I visit that place. I'll be headed there in a couple weeks for an overnight adventure. Any plans for Fossil Mountain and Crystal Mountain areas?

[@shawnwillsey]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed this. I did visit Crystal Mountain. Look for that video soon. I somehow took the wrong road and so missed Fossil Mountain. I'll have to hit that next time. Also drove up Marjum Canyon and a bit around Amasa Valley before camping. Next day, I went trilobite hunting at a quarry and filmed a video there that will post soon.

[@jeffbybee5207]

What did you find in amasa Valley friend said he was with a miner who found some chunky gold there

[@sharonseal9150]

What a cool location! I was drawn to this because I am trying to learn my local geology, where the CRB exactly comes in contact and in some cases is a little mixed into to Eocene rocks near Wenatchee. I wish I could find someone who has explained that as clearly as you have explained this contact zone in Utah! Thank you for your always interesting geology videos. Your explanations are always so clear and concise.

[@StellaVinum]

My Google Maps is just covered in little green flags all around the desert southwest of places I want to go and hike and look at rocks. Since finding your channel, it’s gotten a lot more little flags, and you’ve hit quite a few that were already on my list. I don't know how I’m ever going to find the time and resources to see it all.

[@owenkittredge3433]

Thank you for the wonderful video. When worked at Gulf Oil in the early 1980's a group of fellow Geos would drive from Bakersfield CA for 4 day weekend hike of up Notch Peak but we had just started a family and could not leave for amount of time. It got me thinking about making a visit.

[@shawnwillsey]

You should totally visit this region. Look for more videos from the area soon.

[@stevengeorge5605]

I lived in Utah for 20 years, and I do miss the vast expanses of exposed geology. Do you know if rock climbing is allowed on Notch Peak? Anyway, thank you for taking us to these incredible and remote geological wonders!

[@gregorycooper4890]

Yes, there is some rock climbing. It's Grade IV stuff though and the rock itself can be chossy. The routes are pretty hard, I think the easiest route like 10a Trad.

[@stevengeorge5605]

@@gregorycooper4890 Thank you for the information!

[@joeybabybaby5843]

Besides the big wall there are some short bolted routes on the pink rock at the canyon entrance too.

[@michaellangenheim725]

There’s quite a bit of climbing out there. Both on the granite and the limestone including a few multi-pitch routes that climb Notch peak itself. It’s all quite adventurous though and anyone venturing to climbing in the west desert should be well prepared!

[@shawnwillsey]

Ditto what was said here. You can check out more established climbs in the House Range here: www.mountainproject.com/area/107598903/house-range

[@johndefalque5061]

Beautiful-Thor is the tallest cliff in Canada, #2-I don't know. I flew over Baffin Island and those mountains are amazing!

[@Helix-ge1ld]

Spectacular!

[@Aptster1939]

Great, very instructive example, but wabted to see the wall of Notch Peak.

[@242brick]

That really is a beautiful area, I've been close by and never had any idea what was just a range or two east. Have you been up into the Mt Moriah Wilderness area at all? We were in there elk hunting and the geology completely blew me away. It was so complex and breathtaking, I'd love to see your take on it someday.

[@davidchapman4802]

reminds me of the La Sale Mountains east of Moab - those are laccolith style intrusions in Mesozoic aged rocks. In that case it was too shallow an intrusion and cooled quickly compared to the intrusion here at Notch Peak, which was clearly much deeper and stayed hotter longer, allowing the melt to develop larger crystals and express as granodiorites and granites.

[@eightLives_forever]

What about Zion NP's West Temple? I don't think that wall has been measured but I think it may beat out Notch Peak in shear height.

[@mikeashely8198]

Nice video I got Into geology when I was 50. But I played in Death Valley East Mojave and along the West Coast of California. I pretty much understand what i'm looking at but I can't explain it

[@chuckh.2227]

Utah really has beautiful rocks (units)

[@Steve-j2j]

Great post. One question that I wasn’t sure about. How did the Jurassic rocks get underneath the Cambrian rocks ?

[@garypasko5314]

Number of years ago, girlfriend and I came to this area and did some digging for Trilobites at U Dig down the road. Then went over to Fossil Mountain. My girlfriend was convinced there were no fossils on the mountain and was a waste of time to climb up the hillside, and she decided to wait at the truck. It was one of those times I'm glad I didn't listen to her. The hike up the hillside was well worth it.

[@lanereese9303]

In 2019 my wife and i planned a primitivecamping trip from dalas tx to the house range camped in marjum pass. I had ordered every usgs geo map i could get my hands on. Absolutely fantastic never saw another car the whole 3 days. The wheeler shail is most abundant trilobite bering layer and the best exposure is in antelope amphitheater and is sowed up by claims to make you pay to collect. If you get usgs maps you can find the layers in other areas. I highly recommend a camping trip there. You can dig teal world class trilobite fossils and awsome crystals. Blm free camping and solitude.

[@johnbollenbacher6715]

I was struck by the intense banding of the limestone section. It seems to me that the regularity must result from periodic changes in the growth cycle. I wonder how many years each 😊band represents.

[@joeybabybaby5843]

My visits to Notch Peak and surrounds have left me wondering about how that box canyon itself formed. I'm not a geologist. My best guess is that it was catatrophic when underlying rock gave way (maybe due to "aggressive water" slowly eating the rock?), and gravity led to a sudden local collapse. Am I on the right track? Now, thanks to this video, I know that there's a fault nearby. Did that have something to do with it? Excellent video!

[@InSurrealtime]

Wow that is in the middle of nowhere, i've been to Great Basin NP but never heard of that area.

[@pixelchi]

Neat area. Have you geologized in the Ruby Mountain area? That's an area I love.

[@shawnwillsey]

Not yet but on the list.

[@Udink]

I've hiked to Notch Peak but I had no idea of the complexity of the geology below it. Hiking up from the east it all seemed like similar geologic layers, except for perhaps one spot with some very thin and well-defined layers.

[@alpineflauge909]

wow

[@rodralston2279]

Been there. Trilobites in that general area, in older rocks.

[@shawnwillsey]

Look for trilobite video soon.

[@runninonempty820]

Just spectacular! All kinds of stuff going on. Why is it called the HOUSE RANGE?

[@shawnwillsey]

From Wikipedia, “The House Range was named in 1859 by James H. Simpson. It was named by Simpson because "...of its well-defined stratification and the resemblance of portions of its outline to domes, minarets, houses, and other structures."

[@runninonempty820]

Thanks @@shawnwillsey

[@kurtloptien185]

Love your YT vid series, helps me remember the geology I never knew, but still forgot. This is definitely a nice area of Utah that I need to visit. Thanks for the knowledge. P.S. I have to question the rankings of 1st & 2nd cliff faces in the U.S. and throw in Devils Thumb in Alaska. It's hard to eclipse Thor Mtn. in Canada, but there is the border peak in the Stikine Range, Devils thumb that may beat El Capitan and Notch. The following is from Wikipedia: The most famous feature on the Devils Thumb among climbers is its Northwest Face, rising 6,700 ft (2,042 m) from the Witches Cauldron at its base to the summit, at an average angle of 67 degrees. This is the biggest rock face in North America. The conditions prevalent also make it perhaps the most dangerous climbing proposition on the continent. Been there, seen it, real impressive.

[@shawnwillsey]

Noted. Thanks for the correction. The internet is a confusing place.

[@jeffMinnesota952]

great rocks, great views, especially at 14:28 when the dark cloud moved close to the Notch Peak. What are the coordinates of this spot, would love to visit it? Thanks for sharing... Oh, I see it, 39.15685,-113.44967, thanks

[@shawnwillsey]

Google wrath flyin and gps coordinates are at beginning of video.

[@cacogenicist]

Felsic intrusives, carbonate rock -- wonder if there are skarns in that area. I would be inclined to pan out some material from that wash. 🙂

[@hardrockjeep]

Fabulous geology. Thanks. I would like to see this. I think I can find it from your narrative by taking the Jeep trail to Painter Springs?

[@shawnwillsey]

This spot is next canyon south. Sawtooth canyon. See gps coordinates and location at beginning of video.

[@ross798]

Alright, the limestone with the zebra look, that intrigued me, because it appears to be bands of different sediments, so I had to do a little research and that just opened up a can worms, or should I say it sent me down a rabbit hole of having to possibly do with mineral replacement perhaps caused by heating from the nearby igneous rocks. So, if someone thinks they can explain it a little bit to a layperson, I would love to read it.

[@Cinnemax77]

But why is it white/ black layered multiple times from top to bottom? Just curious…. Great vid