The first volume of my Zion National Park hiking, scrambling and climbing guidebook is now available!
Focusing on summit routes in the park, the book will be the first of its kind. Anticipate a 250-page guide covering routes to nearly 80 summits in and near Zion National Park, including photos and maps.
Just a handful of the summits featured in the book are The West Temple, Mountain of the Sun, Twin Brothers, The Watchman, Mount Kinesava, Mount Spry, South Guardian Angel, North Guardian Angel, Johnson Mountain, Bridge Mountain, Mount Moroni, Lady Mountain, Angels Landing, Cathedral Mountain, North Sentinel, Deertrap Mountain, Langston Mountain, Mount Majestic, Tabernacle Dome, Canaan Mountain, Pine Valley Peak, Red Butte, Checkerboard Mesa, Smithsonian Butte, Horse Ranch Mountain...
"That list one keeps in one's head of places to see and explore in the Zion area will surely get longer after one gets his hands on this book. "Knowledge is power" someone said or wrote. This guide is definitely powerful. The descriptions are concise and down to earth. 'Sheep turds as well as cairns will help lead the way.'" - Jeff Branin, North Carolina
"...the book [...] is clear and informative, yet has a homey, cozy style to it. Not nearly as dry as much of the genre. I am really enjoying the read so far. A must for any serious outdoor library." - Steve Ramras, Colorado
Cover photo by Rick Kent
Cover design by Michael Cressman
Zion National Park: Summit Routes
Rambles & Scrambles: The Definitive Guide to Peakbagging Around Las Vegas
My guidebook, Rambles & Scrambles: The Definitive Guide to Peakbagging Around Las Vegas, is currently available!
In the book, a total of 239 peaks in and around Las Vegas are covered. Heavily featuring hiking, scrambling and climbing routes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, it also covers mountains in Mojave National Preserve, Sedona, Grand Canyon National Park and Great Basin National Park...to name but a few! Dig it.
Photo courtesy of Michael Cressman/Design by Michael Cressman
Wild Roses
Where: Zion National Park, UT
When: June 2009
Partners: DB & Double-A
With just enough flow to make things particularly pretty (and the slightest bit splashy), Wild Roses was a delightful outing in the Zion backcountry.
Horse Pasture Plateau
Where: Zion National Park, UT
When: June 2009
Partners: DB, Dimples & Mishka
After all I've done in Zion, it was hard for me to imagine that I'd not yet made the long hike to the top of Horse Pasture Plateau. Although the Plateau might not seem like much of a summit, it happens to be the highpoint of the West Rim Trail and affords intense panoramic views into Phantom Valley, down the Right Fork drainage, and across to dozens of rarely (and some un-) climbed peaks.
Since we came up from Zion Canyon, we decided to cap off the 17-mile, 4,400 feet of gain roundtrip day with a bonus bag of Angels Landing on the way out. Good stuff!
The Bishopric (Possible 2nd Ascent)
Where: Zion National Park, UT
When: June 2009
Partners: Little Ram
In April 2007, a two-man team got lost in the Zion backcountry and managed to make the first ascent of The Bishopric while in the process of finding their way out. They were out three days before they returned to civilization. In June 2009, Aaron Ramras and I set out to dayhike the peak.
16 miles and 5,000 vertical feet of cross-country elevation gain, plus some easy technical scrambling on the peak, gave us a return time of 13 hours to our vehicle. It was a fine day out, with some of the best scenery I've ever seen anywhere!
Wildcat Mountain
Where: Zion National Park, UT
When: May 2009
Partners: DB & Andy Archibald
DB, Andy and I decided to take a mellow Sunday and bag an unnamed peak not far off the Wildcat Trail. Interestingly enough, we arrived at the trailhead in the morning to find a sign stating that a mountain lion had recently been spotted in the area. I was stoked, Andy was intrigued, and DB was frightened. On we pressed to bag our peak!
[It should be noted that while we didn't see any cougars, we did find two jackalope skulls!]
Too Wet (Lower)
Where: Zion National Park, UT
When: May 2009
Partners: DB & Andy Archibald
We set out one morning to attempt a presumably unclimbed, obscure peak deep, deep in the Zion backcountry. Getting somewhat close to our "trailhead," we found the road wet and muddy. Parking at the last dry spot, we set out with an extra 2.5 miles added to our already long day.
To make a long story short, we eventually reached the base of the peak in question, just in time for clouds to start rolling in to threaten us with rain. Banking on the safe bet, we bailed on our attempt and dropped into Lower Too Wet to make a quick(ish) escape. What we found was a mellow canyon with a few very charming spots.
After about 18 miles of effort, we eventually returned to our spotted vehicle and made the drive back around to snag the other car.
