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.
Two Pines
Arch is visible from the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, but it's difficult to see without
knowing exactly where to look. The short 45 minute hike to a view point of the
arch is fun and easy.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Trailhead
37°12.952 N
112°55.823 W
Two Pines Arch
37°13.087 N
112°55.856 W.
Progeny Peak
37°13.297 N
112°55.836 W
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. A GPS has limited capabilities in many areas.
Zion National Park Trails with Natural Arches along the
path:
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.
On the east side of Zion National Park, detailed patterns have been wind swept into blond slickrock and imbedded with subtle tints of yellow, pink and green. A wonderland of geological processes twisted and tortured the rock and sand into magnificent arrangements of stone. Uplift and erosion resulted in spires, domes, hoodoos, mountains and an occasional arch. A few arches stand today in the arid landscape of the park. Although arches are common in other areas of southern Utah, there is no place that surrounds them with such sweet scenery as does Zion. Two Pines Arch is such a treasure. Climb Progeny Peak above the arch and panoramic majesty unfolds in every direction.
Progeny Peak at a Glance
Photo Album: Progeny Peak Pictures
Trail Maps: Progeny Peak Topo
Map
Day Hike: Yes Arch Distance: .4 miles one way Progeny Peak Distance:
.8 mile one way. Total hike distance to summit and back: 1.6 miles. Average Hiking Time: 3 hours to the peak and back. Equipment: Carry at least 2 quarts of water per person, energy foods, basic first aid kit, emergency supplies and proper clothing for the season. Always wear sturdy sticky rubber shoes when scrambling on slickrock. Difficulty:
The hike to the arch is a quick jaunt, but if going to the peak the hike becomes moderately strenuous with exposed slickrock scrambling. Permits:
Not required. Trailhead:
The trailhead is on the north side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Highway 9) and just east of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel . Look for the small wash, identified by a yellow sign that says: "Caution Delays Possible Be Prepared to Stop". Trailend: Same as trailhead. Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is open year-round. Starting Elevation: 5200' Arch Elevation: 5600' Summit Elevation: 6275' Total Elevation Gain: 1075' Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Hike: No Best Season: Best time of the year: spring, fall and winter are all possible, but only hike on slickrock when the surface is dry. If hiking in the summer begin early in the morning to reduce sun exposure. 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.
The hike to the arch is a fairly easy one with the exception of one short section that requires scrambling. Hiking to the top of Progeny Peak offers exceptional views, but slickrock scrambling is required. The hike begins .4 mile east of the Canyon Overlook parking lot, which is located on the east side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. More parking is available 100 yards east of the tunnel. Yet another small area to park can be found 200 yards east of the caution sign. The trailhead is on the north side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, east of the tunnel. Look for the small wash, identified by a yellow sign that says, "Caution delays possible be prepared to stop". Cross over to the north side of the road and enter the wash on the east side, hugging the mountain, until a path of use is visible leading down into the wash. Once in the bottom of the wash, hike north for 150 yards, where the drainage splits in two. The prominent drainage veers to the northwest, and a less prominent wash goes to the right in a more northerly direction. Go right (north) and soon the wash will become more apparent. Continue hiking, staying in the watercourse. Soon a small layered dry fall is encountered. Continue up the dry fall and the wash opens up. Look to the right at the base of the cliff where "Two Pines Arch" can be seen. The arch is surrounded by Ponderosa Pine trees. At about .3 mile into the hike, the route leaves the easy terrain of the wash. Steer directly up the slickrock toward the arch. The climb is moderately steep, but it is only .1 mile. Now that you know where the arch is it will be easy to see when you return to your car.
Progeny Peak
From "Two Pines Arch," the climb to the summit of Progeny Peak gets steep and tricky, so finding the easiest path up is important. Hike north from the arch, to the left side of the buttress. There is a steep slab to negotiate almost immediately. Use the ridges in the "slabby" rock to your advantage and travel will be easier. At the top of the slab it becomes evident that heading right on top of the ridge is easier. Soon the top of the saddle is acquired. Hoodoos are to the west, and the summit of Progeny Peak towers above to the northeast.
From the saddle, walk easterly in the general direction of the summit and work through the ledge systems. Soon travel is easiest if you traverse slightly right and up the slabs toward the shoulder, formed on the south side of the summit. Heading too far to the north, (left) will only make the climb steeper. Some small ledges need to be negotiated on the way up to the south shoulder of Progeny Peak. Once on the south shoulder, bear to the north and it will be a short uphill scramble to the summit.
Once on top , looking southwest from Progeny Peak, the end of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is visible as well as Zion's West and East Temples. To the west and north are the Twin Brothers, Mountain of the Sun, Deertrap Mountain and the East Rim. Looking east, views of Crazy Quilt Mountain and Checkerboard Mesa partially hide the white cliffs bordering the Grand Staircase. The sights are truly spectacular and worth the .8 mile hike and 1000' elevation gain.
May all your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous - leading to the
most amazing view - where something strange, more beautiful and more full of
wonder than your deepest dreams awaits.
