Vishnu Temple, Summit in Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States.
Vishnu Temple is a summit in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, rising to 7,533 feet (2,296 m) above sea level. The peak towers roughly 4,900 feet (1,494 m) above the Colorado River and displays distinct layers of rock from different geological periods.
Clarence Dutton named this peak in 1880 as part of a plan to give Grand Canyon features mythological names. The first documented ascent to the summit was achieved by Merrel Clubb and his son in 1945.
The name comes from Vishnu, a deity in Hinduism, following a pattern used throughout the Grand Canyon to name features after mythological figures. Visitors looking at this peak from the overlook can see how this cultural connection ties the landscape to broader spiritual traditions.
Reaching the summit requires advanced class 4 climbing skills and is suitable only for experienced mountaineers. The best access points are near the Cape Royal overlook on the canyon's North Rim.
The peak is topped with Kaibab Limestone caprock sitting above Permian Coconino Sandstone that formed from ancient sand dunes roughly 265 million years ago. This layering tells a geological story that visitors can observe when viewing the summit from below.
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