Virgin River Gorge

Virgin River landform in southern Utah and northwest Arizona

36°55′15″N 113°51′33″W / 36.920919°N 113.859167°W / 36.920919; -113.859167 Traversed by

I-15

Formations in the gorge as observed from Interstate 15.

The Virgin River Gorge, located between St. George, Utah, and Beaver Dam, Arizona, is a long canyon carved out by the Virgin River in northwest Arizona.^[1] The Virgin River created the topography of both Zion National Park and the Virgin River Gorge.

Interstate 15 runs through the canyon and crosses the Virgin River several times. The Virgin River Gorge section of Interstate 15 is one of the most expensive parts of interstate highway ever constructed.^[2]^[3] Due to the winding of the canyon, the highway within is also noted for its tricky driving conditions.

The canyons climate is standard for the Mojave Desert with hot summers and mild winters. Flora and fauna in the canyon are also typical of the Mojave.^[1] The canyon is popular among rock climbers, hikers, and campers. In 1997, American rock climber Chris Sharma climbed America's first-ever 8c+ (5.14c) graded sport climbing route, in the Virgin River Gorge, and called it Necessary Evil.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b https://www.blm.gov/visit/virgin-river-canyon-recreation-area – Retrieved: May 31, 2024
^ "Costliest Rural Freeway – $100 An Inch". Fresno Bee. November 26, 1972.
^ Federal Highway Administration. "Final List of Nationally and Exceptionally Significant Features of the Federal Interstate Highway System". Retrieved 2007-08-09.
^ Clarke, Owen (11 June 2022). "Chris Sharma—One Of The Best And Most Influential Rock Climbers Of All Time". Climbing. Retrieved 11 June 2022.