Zion National Park is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places in the US, if not the world. The extremely aesthetic park is loaded with slot canyons, high imposing vertical walls, such as on The West Temple, whose 2200 foot (+/-) east face is believed to be the highest sandstone wall in the world, lush hanging gardens, quiet hidden pools of water, waterfalls, the world famous Zion Narrows, etc. Zion NP boasts some of the world's most notable multi-day free and aid climbing routes and is a geologist's dream.

Unfortunately, finding a climbable mountain, meaning one that does not require multi-day free and aid climbing, besides Angels Landing, Lady Mountain, or the North and South Guardian Angels, in Zion National Park seems to be no easy task. Most of the named mountains in the park, such as The East Temple, The West Temple, Bridge Mountain, The Sentinel, and The Great White Throne lie along the rim of Zion Canyon itself and are virtually unclimbable by the "average" hiker/scrambler/climber.

Fortunately, though, for those armed with a compass, a topomap, some backcountry skills, a little hard-to-find beta, and appropriate scrambling/climbing skills, there are many, many great named and unnamed (and climbable) peaks just out of sight and lying in wait for those wanting to get off the beaten path and away from the swarms of tourists struggling their way up Angel's Landing.

Lying a mere half mile off of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway on the east side of Zion NP, Peak 6275 (sometimes locally referred to as "Progeny Peak") is a fine and often overlooked peak that offers absolutely stunning views of The East Temple, Bridge Mountain, Twin Brothers, and many other beautiful unnamed peaks as well.

Peak 6275 is the first peak lying immediately to the east of The East Temple, an astonishing and imposing spectacle of a mountain on the east rim of Zion Canyon. The East Temple and Peak 6275 are separated by Pine Creek. Although appearing from the roadhead as a minor peak, Peak 6275 (I've also seen the peak noted as Peak 6288 on some maps) is in fact, as one will learn when the summit is gained, one of the higher peaks in that portion of the park.

The easiest route is class 2 (sprinkled with some easy class 3) from the highway, with perhaps 1 mile and change roundtrip and 1000 feet or so of gain. Easy, yes, but very enjoyable and with endless opportunities for "beefing up" the route. Significantly harder routes are possible.

*You might also check out my outdoor site (www.zionsummits.com), which provides access to trip reports, beta, photos and other stuff covering hiking, scrambling, climbing and canyoneering in Zion, Death Valley and Grand Canyon National Parks.

Getting There

From either entrance to Zion NP, head on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway to the area of the big tunnel. The big tunnel is marked on all park maps. The big tunnel, as opposed to the small tunnel, which is a short distance east of the big tunnel, is well-known, and being roughly two miles long, you will not miss it.

At the east entrance/exit of the big tunnel, you will notice the towering monstrosity called The East Temple immediately above you and to the north. A half mile or so east of The East Temple is Peak 6275, which is also on the north side of the highway.

There are a few small pull-offs on the side of the road as one heads east from the east entrance/exit to the big tunnel. I believe the 3rd one, which has a large yellow road sign next to it, is the right one to park at. You can squeeze about two cars there. Peak 6275 is immediately N/NE, and though not as impressive as The East Temple, it is very obvious and certainly more doable. Consider this the trailhead.

The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is paved and open year-round.

Red Tape

You need to cough up $20 to visit Zion National Park.

Permits are required for backcountry climbing as well as backcountry camping in Zion NP. Technically, being only a half mile or so from the highway, Peak 6275 is not in the backcountry, but plan on getting a permit anyway if you decide to try any of the mountain's many technical routes.

When To Climb

The Zion climbing season is short. Summers are brutally hot and winters are cold and icy.

Although the summits may be relatively cool in the summer months, the lowland desert approaches will be baking.

In the winter and spring months, expect considerable snow and ice even at relatively low elevations (circa 5500 feet). For those unfamiliar with travel on sandstone, as much of Zion is comprised, it becomes very slick when snow and ice is present. As with virtually all of Zion's mountains, the exposure on Peak 6275 can be considerable in places. Ice is not wanted.

That said, Fall is probably the best time to climb mountains in Zion, though the other seasons are certainly doable with appropriate preparations, skills, and knowledge.

Camping

There are a couple of established campgrounds in the park. Backcountry camping is also allowed with a permit. Both backcountry permits and frontcountry camping reservations tend to get snatched up quickly during the more pleasant months. Contact the park well in advance for specifics and to book.

Mountain Conditions

Here's a weather link for Hurricane, Utah, which is a half-hour or so outside of the park. Hurricane lies at a lower elevation than Zion and will be less snowy and cold in the winter and hotter in the summer - but the link will at least give you some idea of the weather situation.

You can also contact the park for more information.

*** Due to the incredibly complex topography of the region, do not venture off the beaten path without a topomap, a compass, and the knowledge of how to use them. Even with these items, the topography of the park is such that the contour lines on a topomap may not necessarily give one an accurate idea of what lies ahead. Many "easy" slopes on the map in fact present cliffs or canyons when encountered in the field. Be prepared. Fortunately, Peak 6275 is "gentle".

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