Dead Tree Peak, Elkhorn Peak, Turkey Peak, Subway Peak in Zion National Park, UT

Hike Dead Tree Peak, Elkhorn Peak, Turkey Peak, Subway Peak Zion National Park, UT

Class 4 17.9 miles 6100 gain 11-15 hrs Loop Apr 13, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Dead Tree Peak, Elkhorn Peak, Turkey Peak, Subway Peak GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

A little over a year ago, our group set out into this area of Zion for the first, the goal being to bag a bunch of little peaks, with the finale being Rabbit Ears Peak. We ultimately only made it to that peak, skipping the others due to time constraints, but I vowed to come back for them. Yoshi was the only one excited about it, so a year later, here we were. We set out into the backcountry, this time bagging Dead Tree Peak, Elkhorn Peak, Turkey Peak, and Subway Peak. I would say this map, route, and the photos below are more helpful than the previous trip report, but I left both adventures up on my site for reference. For reference, our trip to Rabbit Ears Peak follows the standard Subway route for a while, whereas this route took us down a sneak route, dropping us right where we needed to be. Also, since we were more acclimated to the area, we made some better choices for navigating the brush/washes.

Enough prelude, here's the novel… I mean hike! From the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, we walked along the lovely forested Wildcat Canyon Trail, then headed south along the Northgate Peaks Trail to its end, a nice lookout at the great peaks and view. We took note of how far we'd be going before dropping down into the gully just west of Northgate Peaks East, where the social trail fizzled out and we continued southeast toward a pair of large bumps, marking the head of the ridge we'd follow down. Our route led between the two bumps and then we stuck to the ridge crest as best we could, where a few cairns helped alleviate our slight concerns that we were on the wrong ridge. Eventually, the ridge drops into a couple of gullies, where a few Class 3 moves brought us to a grassy flat spot a few hundred feet above the Left Fork of North Creek (The Subway). A little route-finding led down into a dirty, steep gully on the right, which dropped us into the canyon. Almost directly across the canyon was the famous (for those who like exploring this obscure area of Zion) jughandle arch that marks the Class 4 scramble out the south side of the canyon. This brought us steeply up another gully and up to higher ground, a spot I'd been to multiple times. It felt good to be back, and to know where I was in general.

From here, there are no more cairns, so it's best to just refer to the map attached. We worked up to a saddle between two small unnamed peaklets to the southeast that drained south and started curving southwest. Instead, we decided to bushwhack east to head over to the two more interesting-looking peaks (Dead Tree and Elkhorn) before going over to Turkey Peak. This was the most rough bushwhacking of the day, and overall wasn't awful. It led us to a creek draining from east to west, at the northern base of Elkhorn Peak. We followed it to the gorgeous, massive slickrock bowl that separates Greatheart Mesa to the north and Elkhorn Peak to the south. A Class 2+ scramble led us to an incredible feature on the face of the white slickrock: a trail! Well, not really. But it looked so perfect that if I'd seen a photo of it out of context, I'd think it was human made. We followed this "trail" to the saddle of Dead Tree and Elkhorn, where we headed east to Dead Tree Peak first. Typical slickrock leads to a Class 4 move that I got scared on. It was sandy and I just got in my head. It's not particularly exposed, just very steep. I reluctantly admit that Yoshi gave me a sling to use to get up. The summit views on Dead Tree Peak were really incredible.

Back at the saddle of Dead Tree and Elkhorn, we headed up the Class 3 east slope of the latter, summitted, and continued down the steep Class 2 west slopes down into yet another slickrock wonderland, complete with running water that drained along our route. Our next destination was Turkey Peak, to the west. It looked fairly unassuming from all angles, but we were happily surprised with how incredible it ended up being. Don't write it off just because it doesn't have slickrock all over. We followed the developing creek headed west and were stopped by a gorgeous waterfall, which we bypassed on the left, following an animal trail. After the waterfall, we inspected the cliffs of the Turkey Peak mesatop's east slope. They seemed formidable, and although a route might take you up there, we decided to continue north through a notch. In hindsight, we probably would have saved some time had we looked for a route, since our premature scramble up the east ridge of Turkey Peak ended up being slow-moving. However, we didn't regret it. We pulled an unexposed Class 4 move and countless Class 3 moves, so if that's not your thing, find another route up (probably by continuing to Turkey Peak's north slope rather than the east ridge). The views of the surrounding hoodoos were amazing, and the afternoon light gave the monoliths of Zion peaks extra charm. The ridge passed over a high point (Peak 6097) that I included in my map because it felt notable. A bit of bushwhacking and animal trails searching led to the Class 2+ summit of Turkey Peak, where the views of South Guardian Angel were unmatched. After spending a bunch of time taking in the views and identifying the many backcountry peaks, we located a gully we thought might work to lead north (luckily it was our first try), and continued up the creek we had left earlier to bushwhack, completing our loop.

Our last peak of the day would be Subway Peak, a small lump just south of the Left Fork of North Creek (The Subway). After backtracking a bit toward Left Fork, Subwy Peak came into view to the west. We did some weird route-finding which I removed on my attached map, instead only including the best route we could find. This involved following a south-draining creek, then heading west to a gully that separates a sub-peak of Subway Peak from the true summit. A Class 3 unlikely-looking move at the ridge crest leads to easier scrambling to the summit. The views of South Guardian Angel from here are amazing. There's a decent view into Left Fork, and of course your regular heart-attack overwhelming beauty of the wild and remote surrounding landscape.

We still had to drop back into Left Fork of North Creek, and then ascend back to the Wildcat Trailhead via the same route we descended earlier in the day.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Dead Tree Peak
6805 ft
n/a rise
2
Elkhorn Peak
6680 ft
n/a rise
3
Peak 6097
6097 ft
n/a rise
4
Turkey Peak
6127 ft
n/a rise
5
Subway Peak
6347 ft
307 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Along the Wildcat Trail.
Along the Wildcat Trail.
Skip a few miles, and we're at the overlook at the end of the Northgate Peaks Trail. North Guardian Angel visible on the right. A social trail leads off to the left. you can see the pair of bumps we aimed for quite visibly in the center of this photo. That's the goal.
Skip a few miles, and we're at the overlook at the end of the Northgate Peaks Trail. North Guardian Angel visible on the right. A social trail leads off to the left. you can see the pair of bumps we aimed for quite visibly in the center of this photo. That's the goal.
The pair of bumps in the center, well after leaving any sort of social trail.
The pair of bumps in the center, well after leaving any sort of social trail.
Looking back toward the way we came, North Guardian Angel on the left.
Looking back toward the way we came, North Guardian Angel on the left.
Continuing toward the pair of bumps. We went between them in a wide, sandy crevasse.
Continuing toward the pair of bumps. We went between them in a wide, sandy crevasse.
After the bumps, heading down the ridge. South Guardian Angel visible on the right. Subway Peak is the pointy one in the center. Left Fork of North Creek the obvious canyon below.
After the bumps, heading down the ridge. South Guardian Angel visible on the right. Subway Peak is the pointy one in the center. Left Fork of North Creek the obvious canyon below.
Looking back up along the ridge as we make progress down. Cairns and simply following the ridge crest helped us down.
Looking back up along the ridge as we make progress down. Cairns and simply following the ridge crest helped us down.
One of a few brushy, dirty gullies.
One of a few brushy, dirty gullies.
Looking up one of the gullies, where some Class 3 moves were.
Looking up one of the gullies, where some Class 3 moves were.
At a flat area, looking down into the canyon. The crevasse on the right (out of frame) is the correct way down.
At a flat area, looking down into the canyon. The crevasse on the right (out of frame) is the correct way down.
Within the Left Fork of North Creek, looking south to the escape route.
Within the Left Fork of North Creek, looking south to the escape route.
The Class 4 route out the south side of Left Fork of North Creek. A jug handle arch marked the exit spot.
The Class 4 route out the south side of Left Fork of North Creek. A jug handle arch marked the exit spot.
Looking down at Yoshi as he comes up the Class 4 move, Left Fork below.
Looking down at Yoshi as he comes up the Class 4 move, Left Fork below.
Working our way up the social trail on the south side of Left Fork.
Working our way up the social trail on the south side of Left Fork.
A cairn at the top, the last one we'd see all day. Greatheart Mesa visible on the left. The slickrock in the center is our first goal - there's a notch toward its top whose gates lead to distant wonders. :)
A cairn at the top, the last one we'd see all day. Greatheart Mesa visible on the left. The slickrock in the center is our first goal - there's a notch toward its top whose gates lead to distant wonders. :)
But first, some bushwhacking and route-finding to get there.
But first, some bushwhacking and route-finding to get there.
Working our way up into slickrock, North Guardian Angel visible in the center.
Working our way up into slickrock, North Guardian Angel visible in the center.
Approaching our notch within the sandstone.
Approaching our notch within the sandstone.
Looking back toward North Guardian Angel, lots of pretty slickrock.
Looking back toward North Guardian Angel, lots of pretty slickrock.
At the notch, looking south. Turkey Peak is hard to make out, but is on the right of the hoodoos. That peak is the last on our agenda for the day.
At the notch, looking south. Turkey Peak is hard to make out, but is on the right of the hoodoos. That peak is the last on our agenda for the day.
Heading south from the notch.
Heading south from the notch.
A bit brushy once the slickrock ends, but nothing too bad.
A bit brushy once the slickrock ends, but nothing too bad.
The wash that Yoshi is walking in begins to curve southwest, so we took to the brush and navigated around some hoodoos, following animal trails. We'd return up this wash from the south after leaving Turkey Peak later in the day.
The wash that Yoshi is walking in begins to curve southwest, so we took to the brush and navigated around some hoodoos, following animal trails. We'd return up this wash from the south after leaving Turkey Peak later in the day.
Looking back through the brush. The hoodoos were pretty and the bushwhacking wasn't super bad, but probably the worst for the day.
Looking back through the brush. The hoodoos were pretty and the bushwhacking wasn't super bad, but probably the worst for the day.
Elkhorn Peak! Dead Tree Peak visible on the left. We had to first work through the lovely brush/hoodoo mayhem to get to the base of Elkhorn Peak, then work along its base to the mostly out of view slickrock bowl on the left.
Elkhorn Peak! Dead Tree Peak visible on the left. We had to first work through the lovely brush/hoodoo mayhem to get to the base of Elkhorn Peak, then work along its base to the mostly out of view slickrock bowl on the left.
One more bushwhacking photo, South Guardian Angel in the background.
One more bushwhacking photo, South Guardian Angel in the background.
The bush clears up eventually and we can start following the creek at Elkhorn Peak's northern base.
The bush clears up eventually and we can start following the creek at Elkhorn Peak's northern base.
Elkhorn Peak (right).
Elkhorn Peak (right).
Within the creek bed at the northern base of Elkhorn Peak.
Within the creek bed at the northern base of Elkhorn Peak.
Some obstacles, but overall pleasant.
Some obstacles, but overall pleasant.
Approaching the bowl separating Greatheart Mesa and Elkhorn Peak.
Approaching the bowl separating Greatheart Mesa and Elkhorn Peak.
Looking back down into the creek we came out of, Elkhorn Peak's northern slopes visible. South Guardian Angel on the distant right.
Looking back down into the creek we came out of, Elkhorn Peak's northern slopes visible. South Guardian Angel on the distant right.
The gorgeous slickrock bowl! There was water flowing for us, absolutely incredible.
The gorgeous slickrock bowl! There was water flowing for us, absolutely incredible.
Image 33 from gallery
Image 34 from gallery
Working our way up to the saddle of Dead Tree Peak and Elkhorn Peak.
Working our way up to the saddle of Dead Tree Peak and Elkhorn Peak.
Looking back down into the bowl.
Looking back down into the bowl.
Crazy! A naturally-formed trail in the slickrock. For some reason, this really stunned me. It was really cool. The saddle of Dead Tree and Elkhorn is visible on the left.
Crazy! A naturally-formed trail in the slickrock. For some reason, this really stunned me. It was really cool. The saddle of Dead Tree and Elkhorn is visible on the left.
Looking back along the natural slickrock trail. Greatheart Mesa visible on the left, a spur of the mesa on the right.
Looking back along the natural slickrock trail. Greatheart Mesa visible on the left, a spur of the mesa on the right.
Working up Dead Tree Peak, Elkhorn Peak on the left and South Guardian Angel in the center.
Working up Dead Tree Peak, Elkhorn Peak on the left and South Guardian Angel in the center.
Approaching the steep section of Dead Tree Peak.
Approaching the steep section of Dead Tree Peak.
Yoshi scrambling up, the crux just above him out of frame.
Yoshi scrambling up, the crux just above him out of frame.
Looking down after the crux. We used some webbing to tie to the tree on the left to aid in our descent later on. No, I didn't leave the webbing.
Looking down after the crux. We used some webbing to tie to the tree on the left to aid in our descent later on. No, I didn't leave the webbing.
Dead Tree Peak summit. Elkhorn Peak on the left, Greatheart Mesa on the right, South Guardian Angel center.
Dead Tree Peak summit. Elkhorn Peak on the left, Greatheart Mesa on the right, South Guardian Angel center.
Dead Tree Peak summit looking south toward Iron Lion (center right) and Rabbit Ears Peak (far right). The super-obscure Emerald Peak is the hump in the center. Ivins Peak far left, Inclined Temple center left.
Dead Tree Peak summit looking south toward Iron Lion (center right) and Rabbit Ears Peak (far right). The super-obscure Emerald Peak is the hump in the center. Ivins Peak far left, Inclined Temple center left.
Close-up of Ivins, Inclined, and Inclivins Peak between them. Emerald Peak also center, just a bump.
Close-up of Ivins, Inclined, and Inclivins Peak between them. Emerald Peak also center, just a bump.
After Dead Tree Peak, now headed to Elkhorn Peak.
After Dead Tree Peak, now headed to Elkhorn Peak.
Looking back toward Dead Tree Peak (right) and the bowl we came out of (left).
Looking back toward Dead Tree Peak (right) and the bowl we came out of (left).
Yoshi coming off the Elkhorn Peak summit, view west. You can see Turkey Peak on the far right, the bald-ish red bump.
Yoshi coming off the Elkhorn Peak summit, view west. You can see Turkey Peak on the far right, the bald-ish red bump.
Heading down Elkhorn Peak's southwest slope. Rabbit Ears Peak center left.
Heading down Elkhorn Peak's southwest slope. Rabbit Ears Peak center left.
Looking up the steep slickrock slope.
Looking up the steep slickrock slope.
Working down from Elkhorn, headed west. Rabbit Ears on the left.
Working down from Elkhorn, headed west. Rabbit Ears on the left.
Gorgeous slickrock with flowing water.
Gorgeous slickrock with flowing water.
Image 53 from gallery
Image 54 from gallery
A waterfall blocking access within the creek. We went up and over on the left.
A waterfall blocking access within the creek. We went up and over on the left.
After the waterfall as we work north through the gap seen in the center. The cliffs on the left block easy access to Turkey Peak's mesatop. I'm sure there's at least one viable route, but we didn't try.
After the waterfall as we work north through the gap seen in the center. The cliffs on the left block easy access to Turkey Peak's mesatop. I'm sure there's at least one viable route, but we didn't try.
Instead, we took a east ridge up Turkey Peak's mesa. Some harder moves along the ridge, so consider working to the north side for easier terrain.
Instead, we took a east ridge up Turkey Peak's mesa. Some harder moves along the ridge, so consider working to the north side for easier terrain.
Yoshi coming up the east ridge.
Yoshi coming up the east ridge.
Class 4/5 obstacle along the ridge. Again, this is avoidable if you decided to head up Turkey Peak from the north.
Class 4/5 obstacle along the ridge. Again, this is avoidable if you decided to head up Turkey Peak from the north.
Along the east ridge, looking north toward North Guardian Angel (right), South Guardian Angel (left), and the incredible hoodoo landscape below. I'll also note the notch that we came down from long ago (and will use to ascend later) is visible on the right.
Along the east ridge, looking north toward North Guardian Angel (right), South Guardian Angel (left), and the incredible hoodoo landscape below. I'll also note the notch that we came down from long ago (and will use to ascend later) is visible on the right.
Yoshi scrambling along the ridge, looking east. Rabbit Ears on the right.
Yoshi scrambling along the ridge, looking east. Rabbit Ears on the right.
More pretty ridgeline, South Guardian Angel in the center.
More pretty ridgeline, South Guardian Angel in the center.
Looking back along the ridgeline, Greatheart Mesa (right) and North Guardian Angel (left).
Looking back along the ridgeline, Greatheart Mesa (right) and North Guardian Angel (left).
At Peak 6097, looking west toward Turkey Peak (far right).
At Peak 6097, looking west toward Turkey Peak (far right).
Close-up of Turkey Peak (left) and South Guardian Angel (right).
Close-up of Turkey Peak (left) and South Guardian Angel (right).
Yoshi on Peak 6097, North Guardian Angel and Greatheart Mesa framing him.
Yoshi on Peak 6097, North Guardian Angel and Greatheart Mesa framing him.
Looking back at the ridgeline, some bushwhacking and animal trails leading to Turkey Peak.
Looking back at the ridgeline, some bushwhacking and animal trails leading to Turkey Peak.
Turkey Peak ahead.
Turkey Peak ahead.
Summit of Turkey Peak, looking northwest toward the Guardian Angels.
Summit of Turkey Peak, looking northwest toward the Guardian Angels.
Summit of Turkey Peak, looking southwest toward gorgeous terrain. I didn't take any more photos as we came down Turkey Peak, but just follow the map to locate the proper gully off the mesatop and the head back the way you came.
Summit of Turkey Peak, looking southwest toward gorgeous terrain. I didn't take any more photos as we came down Turkey Peak, but just follow the map to locate the proper gully off the mesatop and the head back the way you came.
Now for Subway Peak, seen ahead. We wrapped around the left side of it within a series of creeks.
Now for Subway Peak, seen ahead. We wrapped around the left side of it within a series of creeks.
Heading up the creek on Subway Peak's southeast side.
Heading up the creek on Subway Peak's southeast side.
Subway Peak ahead. Our route went up the gully in the center before going along the ridge to the summit on the left.
Subway Peak ahead. Our route went up the gully in the center before going along the ridge to the summit on the left.
Heading up the Class 2/3 gully toward the small saddle separating the two peaks of Subway Peak.
Heading up the Class 2/3 gully toward the small saddle separating the two peaks of Subway Peak.
Looking back down the gully as we work toward the small saddle.
Looking back down the gully as we work toward the small saddle.
On the Class 3 rim, the small saddle seen on the right, separating the main summit from the smaller summit.
On the Class 3 rim, the small saddle seen on the right, separating the main summit from the smaller summit.
At the saddle, looking toward North Guardian Angel.
At the saddle, looking toward North Guardian Angel.
Above the Class 3 section as we continue up to the summit.
Above the Class 3 section as we continue up to the summit.
Great views as we near Subway Peak's summit.
Great views as we near Subway Peak's summit.
Close-up of South Guardian Angel.
Close-up of South Guardian Angel.
Summit of Subway Peak, view northeast.
Summit of Subway Peak, view northeast.
Close-up of Left Fork of North Creek.
Close-up of Left Fork of North Creek.
Subway Peak summit, view southeast toward the many amazing Zion summits around this area. We returned to the trailhead the way we came.
Subway Peak summit, view southeast toward the many amazing Zion summits around this area. We returned to the trailhead the way we came.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!