Search for the Ideal Stack

Originally published on Greengale

Seen below is one of Utah's most recognizable landmarks, the Kennecott Garfield Smelter Stack. This facility is where copper from Bingham Canyon is smelted.

An aerial, high-angle vertical shot features a massive white concrete smokestack emblazoned with a black "K" logo near its summit, rising prominently from a sprawling industrial facility. At the base of the tower, a large white pipe curves along the ground, connecting to a network of low-lying white buildings, conveyor belts, and piles of dark grey material scattered across the dusty site. To the left of the main complex, three rectangular blue water retention ponds sit amidst the arid, brownish terrain. The background is dominated by a rugged mountain range with steep, rocky slopes partially covered in snow, particularly near the peaks which catch the warm, soft light of a low sun. Above, the sky is a pale blue filled with scattered, fluffy clouds and a thin white contrail cutting diagonally across the upper left. The lighting suggests late afternoon or early evening, casting soft shadows across the industrial grounds while illuminating the mountain ridges with a golden hue.

Emerging from the base of the north end of the Oquirrh mountains, this smokestack can be seen on the horizon from most of the northern half of the Salt Lake metro area. I decided to go up there and pop a look into the void.

The smokestack seen from directly above

Despite its gargantuan proportions, the stack is subject to visual contrast with the adjacent mountain range, which vastly exceed its height. If transplanted into any major city, this would be a prominent feature of the skyline at 370m.

The conical shape accelerates the emissisions on the way up, spewing moderately toxic fumes well above the usual inversion line where the cold air traps pollution in the city to the east.

This high-angle aerial photograph captures a massive, solitary smokestack rising vertically from a sprawling industrial complex nestled at the base of arid, reddish-brown mountains. The smokestack, painted a pale cream or off-white, dominates the center of the frame, tapering slightly towards the top where a dark, circular opening is visible. At its base, a thick white pipe connects to the structure, snaking away towards a cluster of industrial buildings, storage tanks, and processing equipment to the left. The surrounding facility is a maze of gray infrastructure, including long conveyor belts, rail tracks, and piles of dark material scattered across the dusty ground. To the upper left, white spherical storage tanks and rectangular buildings are visible near a highway that runs parallel to the mountain range. The evening light casts long, soft shadows across the terrain, illuminating the rugged texture of the mountain slopes in warm, golden hues.

Sunset from a rare angle overlooking the lake with the stack in the foreground and Great Salt Lake State Park and marina directly behind it.

A towering, cylindrical concrete smokestack rises vertically from the center of a sprawling industrial complex, dominating the frame with its immense height. To the right, a long white pipe snakes across the ground, connecting different parts of the facility, while railway tracks loaded with dark freight cars run horizontally across the lower section. The surrounding terrain is a mix of dry, brownish earth and flat, paved areas, leading out to a calm body of water that stretches to the horizon. In the distance, a mountain range is silhouetted against a sky painted with the soft oranges, pinks, and blues of a sunset or sunrise. The lighting is soft and directional, coming from the left horizon, casting long, subtle shadows and illuminating the side of the smokestack. The camera viewpoint is a high-angle aerial shot, providing a comprehensive overview of the facility's layout and its proximity to the coastline.