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.
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.
Mt. Kinesava History
Native Americans named Mt. Kinesava after the mischievous "Coyote God
of the Canyon." The Paiute God was blamed for many misdeeds including sending
smoke signals to their enemies, the Navajos, telling them of their location.
In more recent times, the author of one of the best backcountry guides for Zion
National Park, Thomas Brereton, died in an accident on the loose slopes of Mt.
Kinesava in 1979.
The East Temple towers above the other mountains. To the north (left) is the
Twin Brothers, ten the Mountain of the Sun. The smaller mountain in the forefront
is Mt. Spry. On the south or right of the East Temple is Bridge Mountain, Watchman
and Johnson Mountain.
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.
Mount Kinesava
This rugged route is in the far Southwestern corner of Zion where the elevation is low and the temperatures soar. Opt to hike this during the cooler months, but when there is not ice on the mountain side.
Mount Kinesava at a Glance
Photo Album: Mt. Kinesava
Pictures
Map: Mt. Kinesava Topo Map
Map: South Zion Trail Map
Day Hike: Yes
Trail distance: 2.5 miles/4km Average Hiking Time: 9 hours
Trail Usage: Low
Difficulty: Very strenuous, loose scree and talus, 4th class scrambling,
remote, steep hike. Permits:
Not required.
Trail Conditions: Unmaintained route.
Trailhead: Serendipity road to Mukuntuweep road in Springdale.
Trailend: Same as trailhead
Best Season: Short season. Summer is too hot, winter and early Spring
there is ice and snow on the ramp. In the Fall the days might be too short. Late
April to early May is good if all the snow and ice are gone from the ramp.
Trail Access: Homes are being built at the trailhead so access
is getting harder, but it should always be open even if there is more walking
to get there.
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Classic Zion Hike: No
Elevation Gain: 2812'
Starting Elevation: 4069'
Highest Elevation: 6881' at Petroglyphs
Water availability: None
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. Do not get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Mt. Kinesava This is a strenuous uphill trek, hiking on loose scree and talus. Good route
finding skills are a must. There is some 4th class scrambling along the ramp
to the end of the hike. The reward at the end is a spectacular view of Zion below
and some ancient petroglyphs. I assume if you are going to do this tough of a
hike you will respect the petroglyphs so I have included directions. Remember
the slightest touch can damage the ancient rock art. Treat it with the respect
you would a magnificent piece of art in a museum. Mount Kinesava's peak is 7276',
but this hike does not go that far.
Trailhead Begin by parking alongside Route 9 just south of Serendipity Lane in the center of Springdale . Walk up Serendipity less than ½ mile and turn right on Mukuntuweap. Walk a very short distance up Mukuntuweap and drop down left into the wash below and scramble up the wash a short distance. Now begin working up the ridge on the left of the wash. Once on top of the ridge above the homes, look west to the North- South running ridge and locate the powerlines on top. Find the easiest path to gain the ridge and powerlines.
Mt. Kinesava
From
the park boundary continue up the ridge. The ridge winds to the south of the
large drainage, below on the north. Hike southwest, staying on top of the ridge,
headed toward the power line pole. Get on top of the ridge at the power line
pole, turn to the (right) northwest, following the ridge toward the juniper table
top. It's about a 500' ascent up the ridge.
Rocky Area marked with Cairns The
ridge runs north towards Mt. Kinesava. Loose rocks and dirt make the path to
a rocky
area above that is marked with cairns. This point is above the first
Springdale layer of rock. Still heading north/northwest, across the flats, through
the prickly pear cactus and junipers We come to the first drainage. The base
of the cliffs are visible to the north.
"Dark Cliff" Landmark Shoot for the
base of the dark cliff that's to the north/northwest. Cross the drainages
on the way to the dark cliff, gaining elevation with each one. At the major drainage,
head to the south, looking for a shallow spot to cross, getting to the
north side of it. There is a ridge on the side of the drainage that makes easier
travel toward Kinesava. Top out on the second plateau, among the pinon's and
junipers. The "dark cliff" landmark becomes evident. Note the blind
arch on the lower section.
Mt. Kinesava Ramp System Once you have reached near the base of the "Brown Cliffs" there
will be a drainage between you and the cliff base. Don't enter the drainage,
rather, turn southwest and pick your way up the slope to the southwest. This
will be a steep slope with
a few short cliff bands to negotiate. After about .25 mile you will crest the
top of this slope and see a bushy rock ramp leading back to the north/northwest.
About 100 meters south from the base of the "dark cliff" landmark,
head west/southwest (left) up the steep ascent. There is some 4th
class scrambling, to the top of the drainage. Stay on the ridge to the south
of the drainage (saddle).
Final
Ramp to the top of the Saddle The ramp
system that heads back to the north is
at the top of the drainage. Take the path to the right, rather than hugging the
sheer cliff to the left. This does not look like a ramp, in fact it looks like
a scramble of boulders, but its the path to take.
Hoodoos on Top Head due north to the two hoodoos
above. Kinesava is the peak back behind and to the left.
Mt. Kinesava Petroglyphs Once on top it's a short hike (.3 mile) to the petroglyphs. Once you reach
the top of the ramp and arrive at the hoodoos, you will see a faint trail thru
the thicket of trees. Pop out on the other side of the trees and look for a couple
of ponderosa to the south, next to a sandstone outcropping. Walk towards the
ponderosas and through a large valley of cactus and low bushes (trees). Take
the easiest route to the south/southwest heading for a ramp system and a north
facing short cliff band. The petroglyphs are on a large, flat rock face.
"V" shaped View Point When done walk back down into the valley and walk south to
view the "V"notch
overlook. The view is ideal at this location.
Best Trail Features The
trail is fun for the hardcore hiker that has done it all and is looking for a
challenge. The petroglyphs are a nice treasure at the end.
A few hours' mountain climbing turns a rogue and a saint into two roughly equal creatures. Weariness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity-and liberty is finally added by sleep.
