It's an 'A' approach because there are no straight in mins. There are no straight in mins because the descent gradient is too steep, probably due to the mountains. BTW this doesn't mean you can't fly the approach and land straight in, just that you have to use the circling mins and should expect to be too high for a normal descent to the threshold.
Lance,
Correct in the excessive descent assessment. Also, it may have to do with where the FAC crosses or does not cross the runway centerline.
Per TERPS.
413. FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT. The final approach begins where the PT intersects the FAC.
a. Alignment. The alignment of the FAC with the runway centerline determines whether a straight-in or circling-only approach may be established.
(1) Straight-In. The angle of convergence of the FAC and the extended runway centerline shall not exceed 30°. The FAC should be aligned to intersect the extended runway centerline 3000 feet outward from the runway threshold. When an operational advantage can be achieved this point of intersection may be established at any point between the runway threshold and a point 5200 feet outward from the runway threshold.
Also, where an operational advantage can be achieved, a FAC which does not intersect the runway centerline, or intersects it at a distance greater than 5200 feet from the threshold, may be established, provided that such a course lies within 500 feet laterally of the extended runway centerline at a point 3000 feet outward from the runway threshold.Straight-in category C, D, and E minimums are not authorized when the final approach course intersects the extended centerline at an angle greater than 15° and a distant less than 3,000 feet (see Figure 38).
(2) Circling Approach. When the final approach course alignment does not meet the criteria for straight-in landing, only a circling approach shall be authorized, and the course alignment should be made to the center of the landing area. When an operational advantage can be achieved, the final approach course may be aligned to pass through any portion of the usable landing surface (see Figure 39).
I'm not sure what method was used for this approach, perhaps both, but whatever the reason, it does not meet straight-in criteria.
gary