Diana Temple
A mythologically named temple butte seen from Mescalero Point on Hermit Road.
About
Diana Temple is one of the big freestanding formations that make the inner canyon look like a lost city. It rises to 6,683 feet and sits about nine miles northwest of Grand Canyon Village, its forested cap of Kaibab limestone perched on cream-colored Coconino sandstone cliffs that drop nearly 4,300 feet to the Colorado River in under two miles. You won't hike to the top of it — there's no trail, and a narrow, exposed saddle is the only thing connecting it to the rim at Mescalero Point, just west across the gap. That's the spot to look for it: a short walk from a Hermit Road overlook puts you eye level with the temple's cliffs and the deep drainages of Slate Creek and Topaz Canyon falling away on either side.
Why the name
Diana Temple takes its name from the Roman goddess of the hunt, part of geologist Clarence Dutton's practice of naming Grand Canyon formations after mythological deities in the 1880s. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names made it official in 1908. Neighboring formations carry the same theme — Vesta Temple a mile to the south, Pollux Temple a mile northwest.
Best Time to View It
Hermit Road's shuttle route runs seasonally; check current shuttle status before planning a Mescalero Point visit built around this formation.
Good to Know
- Diana Temple takes its name from the Roman goddess of the hunt, part of geologist Clarence Dutton's practice of naming Grand Canyon formations after mythological deities in the 1880s; it became official in 1908.
- Neighboring formations carry the same theme — Vesta Temple a mile to the south, Pollux Temple a mile northwest — worth spotting together.
- The Mescalero Point approach is a short walk from the Hermit Road overlook, an easy add-on to that stop.
Where to See Diana Temple
You won't hike to the top of it — there's no trail, and a narrow, exposed saddle is the only thing connecting it to the rim at Mescalero Point, just west across the gap. A short walk from a Hermit Road overlook puts you eye level with the temple's cliffs and the deep drainages of Slate Creek and Topaz Canyon falling away on either side.
What You're Looking At: Diana Temple
Diana Temple is one of the big freestanding formations that make the inner canyon look like a lost city. It rises to 6,683 feet and sits about nine miles northwest of Grand Canyon Village, its forested cap of Kaibab limestone perched on cream-colored Coconino sandstone cliffs that drop nearly 4,300 feet to the Colorado River in under two miles.
Reviews
See all on GoogleNo reviews yet for this listing.