Moqui Peak in Zion National Park, UT

Hike Moqui Peak Zion National Park, UT

Class 4 2.2 miles 900 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Apr 4, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Moqui Peak GPX Track

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Moqui Peak sits across Kolob Terrace Road from the more iconic Tabernacle Dome, but Moqui Peak offers just as much fun,with a bit more of a route-finding challenge. From a pull-off, we headed through the mostly open brush/forest terrain toward the northeast side of Moqui Peak.

Our short-term goal was to access a ledge outlined by Courtney Purcell that would bring us around to the south side of the peak, but this ledge would prove difficult to locate without knowing where it is. We began ascending the peak's steep slope and kept generally to the left, knowing we'd have to wrap around to the south side to locate the ledge. We did find some light Class 2+ on sandy/loose terrain as we ascended the slope. There are worse spots, and likely better ones as well. Initially we kept too high and too far to the right and were stopped by a treacherous cliff band that, while marked by a cairn and climbable, would defintiely be Class 5. I only included the route that worked on my attached map. It's not easy to find the proper ledge, but you'll know when you're on it since it remains relatively flat as it continues above one cliff band and below another. I'd say you can find it at around 5700 feet.

Once on this nice wide ledge, we followed an animal trail for a short time at the base of the peak's cliff bands until a weakness on our right marked a Class 2 slope that brought us up through the cliff band. The going was loose and became more so as we hugged the cliff on the right side and entered a Class 3 chute. The chute brought us to a short narrow ledge that ended with a tree. A Class 3 sandstone move ascended past the tree to a crack in the rock above, which we entered. The crack miraculously provided access to the north side of Moqui Peak, where a Sedona-like eroded ledge continued west. Another break in the cliff on our left brought us back to the south side. Here we hugged the cliff and ascended an easy Class 4 slab, leading us to a Class 2 slope that brought us to the base of Moqui Peak.

Courtney Purcell describes the final summit route as being a Class 5.2 climb. Going directly up the east face would result in such a feat, and we mistakenly did this on the ascent. The rock is brittle and a little scary, ending at an arch on which the summit block is perched. However, we were able to find an alternative route to reach the summit. Instead of heading up the face, keep left and descend a brushy gully for 50 feet, locating a slickrock slab on the right and ascending on the south side. This resulted in a Class 3 slab climb up to the arch. Class 2+ got us to the summit block.

Although the route was complex and it may seem like there just "has to be another way" up, we attempted a few different options on our descent and found none. Really interesting route.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Moqui Peak
6120 ft
360 rise

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Moqui Peak seen from Kolob Terrace Road. We ascended the slope left of center, heading generally for the ledges on the left. Going too high would result cliffs.
Moqui Peak seen from Kolob Terrace Road. We ascended the slope left of center, heading generally for the ledges on the left. Going too high would result cliffs.
View back toward the road, Tabernacle Dome visible top left.
View back toward the road, Tabernacle Dome visible top left.
A Class 2+ section that led us up the slope.
A Class 2+ section that led us up the slope.
We located the vital ledge that would take us around to the south side of Moqui Peak.
We located the vital ledge that would take us around to the south side of Moqui Peak.
Along the nice ledge. Below is a cliff band and above is another, making this ledge really important.
Along the nice ledge. Below is a cliff band and above is another, making this ledge really important.
View back along the ledge.
View back along the ledge.
A weakness in the cliff band. We pretty much hugged the right cliff.
A weakness in the cliff band. We pretty much hugged the right cliff.
Continuing up the weakness.
Continuing up the weakness.
The weakness led to this Class 3 chute.
The weakness led to this Class 3 chute.
Above the chute (above Josh on the left), a Class 3 move on a slab beneath a tree.
Above the chute (above Josh on the left), a Class 3 move on a slab beneath a tree.
Just past the tree, this crack would lead to the north side of Moqui Peak.
Just past the tree, this crack would lead to the north side of Moqui Peak.
Through the crack.
Through the crack.
North side of Moqui Peak. The ledge here was reminiscent of Sedona.
North side of Moqui Peak. The ledge here was reminiscent of Sedona.
View back along the ledge.
View back along the ledge.
A break in the cliff led back to the south side of Moqui Peak. Here, we hugged the cliff face on the right. Moving away from the face would result in a drop-off on the left.
A break in the cliff led back to the south side of Moqui Peak. Here, we hugged the cliff face on the right. Moving away from the face would result in a drop-off on the left.
Easy Class 4 slab climb at the cliff base.
Easy Class 4 slab climb at the cliff base.
Past the slab, we kept to the left slightly and then there were a couple hundred feet of Class 2 slope walking.
Past the slab, we kept to the left slightly and then there were a couple hundred feet of Class 2 slope walking.
View back from the top of the Class 2 slope (right). Our route zig-zagged around the sandstone ridge chaos visible on the left.
View back from the top of the Class 2 slope (right). Our route zig-zagged around the sandstone ridge chaos visible on the left.
Class 5.2 route up Moqui Peak. Alternatively, keep left at the peak's base.
Class 5.2 route up Moqui Peak. Alternatively, keep left at the peak's base.
50 foot descent into this brushy gully, and ascend where my friends are in the center.
50 foot descent into this brushy gully, and ascend where my friends are in the center.
Class 3 slab to the arch.
Class 3 slab to the arch.
Arch just below the summit. Josh is seen wrapping around the Class 2+ move to gain the summit.
Arch just below the summit. Josh is seen wrapping around the Class 2+ move to gain the summit.
Moqui Peak summit, view back toward Kolob Terrace Road.
Moqui Peak summit, view back toward Kolob Terrace Road.
Moqui Peak summit, view north.
Moqui Peak summit, view north.

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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!