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.
Ramp to Mountain of the Sun:
37°14.2380N
112°56.9700W
GPS coordinates are only references and may or may not be accurate. Do not rely on GPS coordinates as the sole method of navigation. Always have an accurate, detailed map at hand and have the proper map reading and navigation skills before setting out on any hike. Many of the hikes listed in this guide travel into canyons where a GPS has limited capabilities. Always check your position with a detailed map before dropping into a canyon.
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 Equipment: Bring a sturdy pair of shoes with rubber soles to hike Mountain of the Sun. Some hikers prefer hiking boots due to the support they give to the ankles. Most experienced Zion hikers prefer a good quality rubber shoe like the Sportiva Exum Ridge which help the hiker stick to the slick rock when hiking off the paved trails.
Mountain of the Sun
This a wonderful hike with a steep slickrock approach to a high mountain peak overlooking some of the most beautiful scenery in Zion National Park. This hike involves a lot of up and down and some 4th class scrambling. It's a strenuous one day hike and best done in the cooler months of spring and fall. As a summer hike one should plan to start at 5:30 AM and return in the late afternoon when the sun is being shaded by Mountain of the Sun and Twin Brothers.
Mountain of the Sun at a Glance
Photo Album: Mountain
of the Sun Pictures Trail Maps: Mountain of the Sun Topo
Map
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 7 miles round-trip Average Hiking Time: 10 hours Equipment: Sticky rubber shoes, 4 quarts of water per
person, energy foods, sun protective clothing, emergency bivouac gear, sticky
rubber shoes, camera and possibly an 80' piece of rope for the less experienced
hiker. Difficulty: Exposed slickrock approach and a steep
uphill hike. Permits:
Not required Trailhead: Canyon Overlook to Upper Pine
Creek. Trailend: Same as trailhead. Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Park Hike: No Elevation: 5196' starting
Elevation: 6722' peak
Best Season: Spring or Fall. Its difficult to climb the slickrock
if the black moss on the slickrock is cold and wet and the canyon is hot in the
summer. Do not hike this trail if it is raining or
the rock has ice on it.
See our vacation planning section for classic Zion National Park trails or glance at our favorite Zion National Park trails list or choose from a complete Zion National Park hiking guide. Don't get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Mountain of the Sun Trailhead
Walking east from the tunnel, the first drainage to the left is Shelf Canyon.
Continue up the road to the next drainage, located .4 mile from the tunnel.
This is Upper Pine Creek. Drop down into the sandy bottom of the drainage and
hike north for about .5 mile to the waterfall. Just past the waterfall is the
best location to climb up (west) the slickrock. Note how the rock curves down,
just to the left of the waterfall. Water runs through Pine Creek so prepare to
get your feet wet.
Steep Slickrock Scramble Uphill
Pick your way up the weaknesses always being aware of ledge systems that make
the travel easier. Soon there is a fairly steep section that wants to draw you
to the right, but if you continue up and to the left on the steep slab, the travel
soon becomes much easier. You will eventually gain a plateau and much easier
traveling as you bear to your right a bit. Aim for a large drainage in the center
of what is soon to become a large slickrock basin. Once inside the basin aim
for the right (north) side of the basin where you will find ramps that will take
you up higher into the basin.
Staying on the right side of this bowl will afford weaknesses in the form
of north running ramps. At a point almost at the top of the saddle there is a
fairly tall (25') wall that contains a panel of petroglyphs. Its one mile at
this point. Travel the ramp up and to the right of this panel where shortly you
will arrive at the saddle with views to the west, of the West Temple looking
thru Spry Canyon.
The East Temple is to the left, Twin Brothers to the right of Spry Canyon, and
Deertrap Mountain to the north. The views looking east and south are magnificent
showing the diversity of the eastern Zion terrain.
Enter the canyon floor, just behind Twin Brothers, but instead of going left
towards Spry Canyon, turn right up the wash at the bottom of the rock face of
Twin Brothers. There may be a slight amount of bushwacking, but the going is
easy as the incline to climb is moderate. After following the wash for less than
.25 mile you will top out on a sharp, prominent saddle that divides the direction
of flow of washes. For the next .5 mile or so the descent will be steep and bouldery.
Route finding the easiest way down becomes the norm. Soon after, the canyon floor
yields to gentler travel and slowly the canyon opens and closes. At .7 mile
from the saddle the canyon opens to a large slickrock clearing.
Look back (south) and notice
the slickrock and vegetated ridge (ramp) ascending to the south. This is the
ridge to follow up to the saddle south of Mountain of the Sun and North of Twin
Brothers.
Cave - Facing downstream, one might notice a small foliage choked
wash entering on the left, seemingly draining from the base of Mountain of the
Sun. Traveling up this wash a short distance bears an amazing cave that will
provide cool shade during a hot day. It is very dark and continues back to a
chamber. A must to see before heading up to the peak of the Mountain of the Sun
Canyon.
Mountain of the Sun Peak
Once at the saddle, approximately .25 mile, turn right (north), and head
toward Mountain of the Sun. There may be some minor bushwacking passing onto
the north side of the saddle. Once across the saddle the terrain becomes steeper
on the southeast flank. Carefully choose a route, heading upward. Soon an 80'
high slab of low angle slickrock must be negotiated. After arriving at the top
of this slickrock and by following the drainage on the eastern side of Mountain
of the Sun, the route becomes more obvious and will eventually lead to the last
steep ramp to negotiate. The exposure becomes apparent as the ramp bears west,
however there are a few trees in the middle of the loose rock and dirt ramp to
assist in the progress upward. From here it is a short scramble of 200 yards
to arrive at the top. Be sure to sign in at the register in the jar under the
pile of rocks. From the top the views are spectacular and will give an opportunity
to shoot some beautiful photos.
The route back is long and tedious so give plenty of time for the return trip.
