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Zion
Hiking Forum
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.
Utah!
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Zion
National Park Map
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.
Oversized
Vehicle Information
Zion
Canyon Shuttle Information
Bo Beck at the summit of the West Temple in Zion National Park.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Parking:
37 10.600 N
113 00.878 W
Bear Northeast on Ledge System:
37 11.688 N
113 01.619 W
Saddle:
37 11.848 N
113 01.540 W
Bolted Climb:
37 12.230 N
113 01.291 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.
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West Temple
Photo Album: West Temple Pictures
Trail Maps: West Temple Map
Day Hike: Best done as a long day hike.
Distance: 6.6 miles
Average Hiking Time: 8-14 hours
Equipment: 160' Rope, Harness, Belay/Rappel Devise, Set of Nuts or Camalot .3-.5-.75- 1, several slings and carabineers, extra webbing and climbing shoes. Be sure to carry 1 gallon of water per person minimum and plenty of high energy snacks.
Technical: 5.6, Exposed 4th and 5th Class (Rope required)
Difficulty: Quite strenuous.
Permits:
Not required.
Check the weather report
before hiking this trail. Do not hike if it looks like rain or snow.
Trailhead:
Highway 9 and Serendipity Lane (Parking along Highway 9)
Trailend: Same
Total ascent: 4000'
Total descent: 4000'
Trail access:
In Drainage just south of Mukuntuweep Circle
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Classic Zion Hike: No
Best Season: Spring or Fall, when conditions are dry.
Hazards: Call the Zion Canyon Visitors Center for weather
conditions prior to the hike: (435) 772-3256.
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.
This hike/scramble/climb to the summit of the West Temple in the southern part of Zion National Park affords some of the best, if not the best views in the entire park. The West Temple is the highest peak in the southern part of the park, with only those peaks in the northern Kolob section being taller. Even though listed as a hike, this route entails steep, loose scrambling. exposed 4 th class climbing, and even some 5 th class bouldering and climbing. Don't be fooled by the relatively short 6.6 mile round trip, as the nearly 4000' of elevation change will test even the seasoned hiker/climber. Because of the nature of this backcountry trip, a full description will not be supplied, as the challenge of assessing and determining the route is a big part of the experience. Coordinates to key points will be supplied as to minimize second guessing, and a map will present the course to follow.
Begin by parking alongside Route 9 just south of Serendipity Lane in the center of Springdale . Walk up Serendipity less than a half mile and turn right on Mukuntuweep. Walk a very short distance up Mukuntuweep. 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 power lines on top. Find the easiest path to gain the ridge and power lines.
On top of the ridge turn north and follow the ridge to the plateau above. On top of the plateau, continue north and begin gaining elevation yet try to avoid dropping into the several drainages that flow to the east. Soon a fairly large "black" sandstone cliff face appears well below the massive faces that tower to the left. Continue bearing northerly until arriving at the large drainage just before this "black" face. Now steer northwest and up the steep, loose slope toward the massive cliffs that surround Mount Kinesava. Stay close to the drainage on the right, and as soon as it is possible to contour to the right without having to drop into the deep drainage, do so and follow the ledge system to the northeast. After working up the ledge system for maybe 1/3 rd of a mile there will be a prominent saddle. This is now the time to begin bearing northeast and follow the rocky ridge toward the West Temple. Most of the trek stays on the rocky ridge, or slightly to one side or the other. There will be several gaps to drop into, and work out of. One such gap requires a 30' unprotected face/ crack climb, another has a 10' high face to boulder up. Several walks on narrow ridges with grand exposure and soon the ridge disappears with a very large gap in front. Scramble down 15' to the east then turn toward the gap and look for a pine tree below. A short downclimb and into the tree arrives in the gap below and then continued scrambling to gain the ridge again. One section requires a 4th class 20' up climb in a flaring chimney with exposure on both sides. It might be possible to protect this scramble with cams or nuts? On once again arrives at a long, steep, "slabby" scramble up the ridge which then soon arrives at the 100' up-climb to the plateau just below the West Temple. The crack system is easily protected with nuts and or cams, however there are 3 bolts that have been placed on the way up to the 2 bolt anchor just below the top. This is easy 5 th class climbing and will be the last of the steep before walking the plateau and the short scramble up the "red rock" cap that forms the West Temple. The top is heavily vegetated with manzanita, but by walking around views in all directions are had. Relax and massage the quads for the 4000' descent! There is a register at the top of the ramp leading to the summit. Be sure to take a gander and leave your autograph!
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