Overview
East Northgate Peak, northwestern face |
East and
West Northgate Peaks are a couple of slickrock mountains that rise above Pine Valley in Zion National Park. Pine Valley is a plateau that is covered by Pine Trees and sits at an elevation of 6800-6900 ft. The valley is far from Zion Canyon. The only vehicle access to Pine Valley area is via the Kolob Terrace Road.
East Northgate Peak is lower than West Northgate Peak and is easier to climb. The eastern, southern and western slopes of East Northgate Peak are made of steep slickrock. Its northern slopes, however, are covered by a growth of Pine trees. This makes the access to the summit much easier. A steep beaten path follows the northern slopes 300 vertical feet up to reach the top of the peak.
L to R: East Northgate, North Guardian Angel & West Northgate |
Getting There
East Northgate Peak on the right |
From the southern entrance of Zion National Park in Springdale, UT, drive 13.5 miles west on Route 9 to the town of Virgin. Turn north and follow the Kolob Terrace Road 16 miles to the Wildcat Trailhead
This is a narrow paved road. Parts of it are closed in winter, see link below:
Kolob Terrace Road Conditions November Through May.
Route
All distances are per my GPS.
Place | Elevation | Distance |
Wildcat Trailhead | 6960 ft | zero miles |
Connector Trail Jct. | 6900 ft | 0.95 miles |
Northgate Trail Jct. | 6900 ft | 0.15 miles |
Observation Point | 6900 ft | 1.1 miles |
Base of North Slopes | 6850 ft | - |
Summit | 7153 ft | 0.3 miles |
Total | - | 2.5 miles |
Map |
At Wildcat Trailhead, you will have great views of Pine Valley Peak. Follow the Wildcat Canyon Trail 0.95 miles over Pine Valley to Connector Trail Junction. Turn left (continue on Wildcat Canyon Trail) another 0.15 miles to reach the junction with the Northgate Peaks Trail. Turn right and follow the trail 1.1 miles to the end of it at an observation point. The Northgate Peaks will come to view here.
Pine Valley |
Pine Valley |
At the observation point, you will have to turn east and bushwhack your way down a slope to reach the northern base of the East Northgate Peak.
Bushwhack |
You will find a steep beaten path that follows the northern slopes to the summit.
Path to the top |
Path to the top |
Views from the summit:
Pine Valley Peak |
West Northgate Peak |
Tabernacle Dome |
Jobs Head & Pocket Mesa |
Russell Gulch |
Russell Gulch/West Canyon |
West Canyon |
North & South Guardian Angels |
The West Temple |
Red Tape
You must pay park entrance fee. Please be ware that there are no fee booths on Kolob Terrace Road. You must pay in Springdale or elsewhere.
No permits needed for day hikes. See link below for all rules and regulations:
http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htmWeather
See the forecast for
Springdale, UT
External Links
Northgate Peaks Scramble