The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Zion National Park, Utah!
Stay in Mount Carmel Junction, the heart of the parks, and
visit the treasures of the Southwest.
Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
Plan your Zion National Park Vacation with our Utah Maps and
Information
In these pages you will find insiders information on Zion National
Park lodging, adventures and hikes. This detailed guide includes road maps, park
maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna,
campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information on Zion's hidden treasures.
Making summer memories in the Utah National Parks and National
Monuments.
Directions to Zion National Park From Salt Lake City: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver.
Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to Zion's east
entrance. From Arizona: Travel 89A through Fredonia, Arizona
and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to the east
park entrance. From Las Vegas: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and
travel through Hurricane. Make a right on U-9 at the second traffic light in
LaVerkin. Continue on U-9 to the south entrance of the park. U-9 through Zion
National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.
Tanya at the top of the G2 peak in Zion National Park.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Parking at Tunnel
37°12.778 N
112°56.457 W
Ascent from bottom of Gifford Wash
to the west:
37°12.021 N
112°56.274 W
Descend into East-West Canyon
37°11.919 N
112°56.655 W
Intersection of East-West Canyon
with Hepworth Wash
37°11.873 N
112°57.198 W
Turn West into ascent of canyon
to the south of Bridge Mountain
37°12.362 N
112°57.409 W
Saddle separating Bridge Mountain
to the north with small summit
to the south
37°12.183 N
112°58.021 W
Summit of G2
37°11.913 N
112°57.929 W
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information
by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo
Beck and www.zionnational-park.com author Tanya Milligan.
To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more
information please visit the Zion
National Park Forum
Suggested
Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National
Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced
Zion hikers and canyoneers like the La Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great
for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.
Peak: G2
Those wanting a full day of adventure in a remote area of some of Zion's best backcountry, G2 will quench the appetite of the hearty. Although the route is less than 8 miles round-trip, it is the almost 6000' of accumulated elevation change that will leave you exhausted at the end of the day and although you will never be much further than 1 mile from major roads and civilization you will not feel that way. Because of the vertical environment it will feel more remote than just about any area of Zion. The rewards are absolutely overwhelming on this route. The isolation and different perspectives will tantalize the desire to explore beyond. Be careful and realize that it will be necessary to retrace the many ups and down encountered during the day.
Photo Album: G2 Pictures
Trail Maps: Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes, but can be a backpack. Distance: 8 miles round-trip Average Hiking Time: 8-12 hours Equipment: Sticky soled shoes, 100' of rope, 4 liters of water per person, high energy foods, emergency bivouac gear and a cell phone, basic first aid kit, emergency supplies and proper clothing for the season. Always wear sturdy sticky rubber shoes when scrambling on slickrock. Elevation: Up and down many times with 6000'+ accumulated elevation differential making this a tough hike. Difficulty: Strenuous route with 2nd, 3rd and 4th class scrambling
. Permits:
Not required Trailhead: The Canyon Overlook parking lot at the east side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Trailend: Same as trailhead. Trail access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round.
Cold water in Clear Creek/Pine Creek might be present in the winter preventing hikers from crossing the water to begin the route. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Park Hike: No Best Season: April and May while still cool, but only hike on slickrock when the surface is dry. If hiking in the summer begin early in the morning to reduce sun exposure, but even so it would be a very hot route to do in the summer. Scrambling on slickrock should only be attempted by experienced hikers. Wear sticky hiking shoes to help grip the rock. Slickrock is dangerous when wet and cold. The rock is often dotted with moss, which holds water and becomes slippery like ice when it's cold out.
Trailhead - Park at the Canyon Overlook parking lot, then hike into Gifford Canyon.
G2 Route - At the .9 mile mark into Gifford Canyon, ascend to the west, up the slickrock which is across from the dry fall located on the left. Usually there is a cairn located off the Gifford route, on the slickrock. The slickrock on the right will become less formidable and will show weakness, and the ascent up becomes possible. Hike west, upward on the slickrock, switchbacking up the mountain side on the ledges. By switchbacking on the narrow rippled ledges you will be able to climb towards a large buttress with bushes and pine trees near the skyline. Aim for the beehive dome in the skyline. There is a low cliff band to the south of the dome with some ponderosa pines in front of it, where the traverse to the south begins. Watch for a cairn and look for the path of least resistance to the top.
Slickrock Bowl - Head to the southwest, but stay to the right of the drainage. Aim to walk up the middle of the bowl (west) and target the trees on the skyline at the top of the bowl.
East /West Canyon - Once at the top of the bowl, walk to the northwest across the flat plateau until looking down into another bowl and canyon running to the west. You will need to enter the bowl via the steep slickrock and set your sights to the northern side of the bottom of the bowl. Once at the bottom of the bowl the wash becomes apparent, however continuing down the wash brings you to a 40' ledge or dry fall. Backtrack and go up the wash that heads up the steep slickrock to the north. You will soon find yourself in another slickrock, sandy bowl. At this point find the weakness that heads west and up to the top of a ridge, maybe a 75' steep scramble up. It's easiest to go up the lower angle slickrock towards the back of the bowl, rather than try the shorter ledge climb up the steep slickrock prior to the back of the bowl. Once you've gained the top of this south-north running ridge, follow it 100' or so to the north until you can find a ramp by some pine trees that heads down and to the south. This ramp will be a steep and sometimes loose descent into the east-west running canyon that will eventually take you out of Hepworth wash.
The Vortex - A hidden slit in the canyon wall at the head of the East-West Canyon reveals a treat if doing this route in the heat. If temperatures are hot outside the rapidly moving air in the vortex will be quite cool and you can step inside and cool off for a bit.
Hepworth Wash - Walk down the canyon until it connects with Hepworth Wash. After a fairly gentle walk down the east-west running canyon (approximately 2/3 of a mile) you will come to Hepworth Wash. Large pine trees mark the junction of the east-west wash and Hepworth Wash. This junction, after bearing a bit north will afford shade trees and slickrock slabs next to the creek that makes for a good break point. An intermittent stream often flows through Hepworth. The water is not desirable, but with heavy treatment it should be drinkable.
Hepworth Arch - The arch is about halfway down Hepworth Wash, on hikers right, as hiking toward Bridge Mountain. From this stop navigate Hepworth Wash best you can to the north. After about .75 miles of travel you will come to another wash entering into Hepworth from the west.
Western Running Wash - Turn left (west) and follow this wash for a half mile as it bears to the southern flanks of Bridge Mountain. Soon the wash approaches a steep talus and scree slope. It is fairly easy to find the best route to take to the saddle that separates Bridge Mountain from a much smaller peak to the south. The vertical ascent at the steep talus and scree slope is short lived and maybe 250' of vertical climbing, but once at the saddle, the views begin to show some reward for the effort put forth. Once at the top of the saddle descend a short distance and begin steering south (left and stay as high as possible to minimize the short climb out of the bowl onto the saddle separating the smaller peak from G2 towering above and to the south. From the saddle, pick the best route up the ever steeper slopes on the northern flank of G2. There will be some steep slab sections as the southerly course brings you closer to the summit. Just 150' below the summit there is a medium angle 25' high slab that is best climbed by the most experienced in the party and who may provide a belay for the remainder of the party. Continue up the sandy slope, but remember to walk out to the western shoulder before arriving at the actual summit cap.
G2 Summit - There is an arch visible near the top on the southern side of the caprock summit. From the shoulder, scramble the mostly sandy slopes to the quite large summit cap and marvel at the almost 360 degree views. The east side of Zion opens to a perspective rarely seen. To the south, the Watchman shows its rugged beauty as well as the Canaan Mountain plateau. Look down into the canyon below and wonder if tourists glancing upward can see movement on this isolated, and seemingly impossible peak. The rewards are phenomenal for an effort put forth and in fact are some of the most unique and best views had in Zion National Park.
