Eagle Mesa

Eagle Mesa is situated northeast of Oljato–Monument Valley, Utah, on Navajo Nation land. It is, together with Setting Hen, an iconic landform of Monument Valley and can be seen from Highway 163. Precipitation runoff from this mesa's slopes drains to Mitchell Butte Wash and Train Rock Wash which are both part of the San Juan River drainage basin. In Navajo mythology, Eagle Mesa is a place where spirits of the deceased may go. Eagle Rock Spire is a 300-ft tower on the northern tip of the mesa which requires climbing skill to reach the summit. Navajo names for this spire which resembles a perched eagle include "Eagle Alongside Mesa", "Big Finger is Pointed", and Tsé Łichii Dahazkani (Elevated Red Rock Sitting Up). ==Geology==

Eagle Mesa is a mesa composed of three principal strata. The bottom layer is Organ Rock Shale, the next stratum is cliff-forming De Chelly Sandstone, and the upper layer is Moenkopi Formation capped by Shinarump Conglomerate. The rock ranges in age from Permian at the bottom to Late Triassic at the top. The buttes and mesas of Monument Valley are the result of the Organ Rock Shale being more easily eroded than the overlaying sandstone. ==Climate==

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Eagle Mesa. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a semi-arid climate zone with cold winters and hot summers. Summers average 54 days above annually, and highs rarely exceed . Summer nights are comfortably cool, and temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winters are cold, but daytime highs are usually above freezing. Winter temperatures below are uncommon, though possible. This desert climate receives less than of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter. ==In popular culture==

Eagle Mesa is briefly visible in the 1994 film Forrest Gump. In a scene depicting the titular character's cross-country run, the mesa appears to the right of the frame in the widescreen version of the film, along with Brighams Tomb and Stagecoach. For Earth Day 2025, Google featured a Doodle showcasing satellite imagery of various natural formations spelling out the letters of its logo. Eagle Mesa was prominently displayed as the "L" in "Google," with its distinct L-shaped outline captured from space. ==Gallery==

File:Monument Valley in Arizona - 2008-04-08 B.jpg|Southwest aspect, from Highway 163, Eagle Mesa and Setting Hen File:Monument Valley, Az Hwy 163N (5947488782).jpg|East-northeast aspect, from Highway 163. Eagle Rock Spire to right. File:Eagle Mesa in Monument Valley, Utah, USA.jpg|Southwest aspect. Eagle Rock Spire to left, Setting Hen to right. File:Over Monument Valley, Navajo Nation - 3814250687.jpg|Aerial view, south aspect File:Over Monument Valley, Navajo Nation - 3815043004.jpg|Aerial view, north aspect File:Monument Valley, Arizona, US - panoramio (24).jpg|Southwest aspect. Eagle Rock Spire to left, Setting Hen to right. File:Monument Valley, Utah, US - panoramio (12).jpg|East aspect File:Eagle Mesa, Setting Hen.jpg|Eagle Mesa (left) and Setting Hen viewed from the south. ==See also==