Mount Kinesava in Zion National Park, UT

Hike Mount Kinesava Zion National Park, UT

Class 4 8.2 miles 3600 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Apr 25, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Kinesava GPX Track

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If you've ever driven into Springdale, you've likely seen Mount Kinesava. It's the first peak on the left. The white sandstone true high point is hidden by the red fortifying cliffs surrounding it. The peak is a great alternative to others in the main canyon because it avoids the notorious bureaucracy of the Zion shuttle system and the Springdale parking situation. It's also a great intro to scrambling and route-finding hike, since a social trail leads up the majority of the route. While the route is Class 4, the difficult moves aren't exposed.

We parked at the Chinle Trailhead, which was concerning a first because it required driving along a paved private road in order to reach it, but apparently this doesn't apply to those going to the trailhead. Matt and I started along the pleasant trail as it paralleled UT-9 and meandered amongst private homes and roads. The trail eventually reaches an underpass, and just past this continues on an eroded dirt road. Instead, enter the drainage on the right to reach Mount Kinesava, a route which leaves the official Chinle Trail. The drainage follows some slickrock before narrowing into a sandy, narrow wash. A cairn marks a good spot to leave the drainage to ascend north along a steep slope. A social trail keeps the going straightforward. We followed a low ridge and passed a telephone pole, views to our right into Springdale below. A second, steeper section along the social trail led up heavily-human-eroded slope to a flatter section above. This steep section included some light Class 2 and sandy nonsense.

The flatter section is where the social trail becomes a bit more difficult to follow. While there are plenty of animal trails leading in a web all over, I included on my attached map the route that seemed the most human-formed and most direct. After a quarter mile or so of walking on mostly flat terrain, the slope began to steeped and ended on a minor ridge above. Here, we located cairns leading northeast along the ridge. We could see the steep and cliffy terrain guarding Mount Kinesava and could trace the route to come that would lead us past the cliffs. Keeping to the right of a rock outcrop, we left the minor ridge, dropping down slightly, and then headed up the steep and sandy Class 2 terrain. The slope led on any number of animal/social trails to the base of the cliffs above. From here the route-finding became trivial, and the fun scrambly bits began.

After getting to the base of the cliff, we quickly encountered some Class 2+ and soon stumbled on the crux of the route, a set of Class 4 moves on big boulders. There was no exposure, but of course falling is never fun, even if it's only five feet. Past the crux, more Class 2 and sandy slope walking long well-cairned social trails brought us to an exposed ledge. A short Class 3 move brought us down to the ledge, and then easy walking next to steep exposure led across the ledge for about 20 feet. A Class 3 section led to the second Class 4 bit, which required stemming up a short crack and continuing on easier scrambly terrain. The slope we continued at the cliff's base, the walkable area shrinking as the slope narrowed and led to a final steep and sandy nonsense section. This brought us to the end of the walkable area that ended in typical sheer Zion drops where, conveniently, a Class 3 move through a small crack brought us to the top of the red cliffs.

At the top of the cliffs, we were met with a mellow walk along a flat and pretty grassy section. Here, the red sandstone gave way to the white dome marking Mount Kinesava's summit. Class 2/3 slab climbing led to the summit. It's easy to get a bit mixed up when ascending the final few hundred feet to the summit, since some of the slabs end in headwalls, or quickly become too steep to hike on. If you find yourself pulling any real climbing moves, there's an easier way.

At the base of Mount Kinesava, within the grassy area, we decided to check out some nice petroglyphs. To reach them, we headed west through the grassy/sandy/flat area and headed to the brushy base of a 20-foot cleaved-looking bit of sandstone, which served as the panel for the petroglyphs. We returned the way we came.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Kinesava
7285 ft
685 rise

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Chinle Trailhead.
Chinle Trailhead.
Along the Chinle Trail, UT-9 visible below on the right.
Along the Chinle Trail, UT-9 visible below on the right.
Mount Kinesava ahead. The true high point is barely poking out behind the red cliffs in the center.
Mount Kinesava ahead. The true high point is barely poking out behind the red cliffs in the center.
Along the Chinle Trail, the trail heads left. Leave the trail and enter the wash on the right instead. (Excuse the different lighting, taken on the way back)
Along the Chinle Trail, the trail heads left. Leave the trail and enter the wash on the right instead. (Excuse the different lighting, taken on the way back)
Within the wash, crossing into Zion National Park's boundary.
Within the wash, crossing into Zion National Park's boundary.
A cairn marked the best spot to leave the wash and start heading up the slope you can see in the center.
A cairn marked the best spot to leave the wash and start heading up the slope you can see in the center.
First slope ascent, Mount Kinesava visible center.
First slope ascent, Mount Kinesava visible center.
View back down the slope. The residences the Chinle Trail headed through visible top right.
View back down the slope. The residences the Chinle Trail headed through visible top right.
At the top of the first slope, a short flat section with views toward Zion.
At the top of the first slope, a short flat section with views toward Zion.
The social trail heads along a low ridge, passing a telephone pole (not pictured).
The social trail heads along a low ridge, passing a telephone pole (not pictured).
Starting up the second slope, this one steeper.
Starting up the second slope, this one steeper.
Toward the top of the steeper slope after some awful sandy nonsense.
Toward the top of the steeper slope after some awful sandy nonsense.
A flat section where the trail becomes hard to follow. Mount Kinesava visible top center. We headed generally toward the peak and were able to stick to some semblance of an animal/social trail.
A flat section where the trail becomes hard to follow. Mount Kinesava visible top center. We headed generally toward the peak and were able to stick to some semblance of an animal/social trail.
The flat section began to incline and led to a minor ridge, which we're standing on here.
The flat section began to incline and led to a minor ridge, which we're standing on here.
Close-up toward the route to come. This involves making our way to the thin line of trees in the center of this photo at the base of the cliff and then continuing to follow the cliff base as it ascends to the right.
Close-up toward the route to come. This involves making our way to the thin line of trees in the center of this photo at the base of the cliff and then continuing to follow the cliff base as it ascends to the right.
Mostly able to follow social trails, we made our way up the steep slope to the line of trees previously mentioned and visible in the center of this photo.
Mostly able to follow social trails, we made our way up the steep slope to the line of trees previously mentioned and visible in the center of this photo.
At the base of the cliffs, where a social trail led us in an ascending traverse.
At the base of the cliffs, where a social trail led us in an ascending traverse.
Class 2/3 stuff at the cliff base.
Class 2/3 stuff at the cliff base.
Matt coming up the Class 2/3 stuff.
Matt coming up the Class 2/3 stuff.
Class 4 move.
Class 4 move.
Continuing along the social trail at the cliff base. For the most part, the trail kept just next to the cliffs, sometimes wandering a few dozen feet away from it.
Continuing along the social trail at the cliff base. For the most part, the trail kept just next to the cliffs, sometimes wandering a few dozen feet away from it.
Image 21 from gallery
Approaching the somewhat exposed ledge. You can see the rest of the Class 3/4 scrambling to come, center.
Approaching the somewhat exposed ledge. You can see the rest of the Class 3/4 scrambling to come, center.
Matt descending a short Class 3 move to reach the exposed ledge.
Matt descending a short Class 3 move to reach the exposed ledge.
Matt on the exposed ledge. It's easy walking, but there's a noteworthy drop.
Matt on the exposed ledge. It's easy walking, but there's a noteworthy drop.
Past the exposed ledge, the final Class 4 move.
Past the exposed ledge, the final Class 4 move.
Some Class 3 past the Class 4 move.
Some Class 3 past the Class 4 move.
Continuing along the base of the cliffs.
Continuing along the base of the cliffs.
Class 2/3.
Class 2/3.
Matt coming up a final sandy, awful slope as we near the top of the red cliffs. To my right out of frame is a Class 3 crack. You likely can't miss the crack because behind me is a drop-off.
Matt coming up a final sandy, awful slope as we near the top of the red cliffs. To my right out of frame is a Class 3 crack. You likely can't miss the crack because behind me is a drop-off.
A Class 3 minor crack that leads to the top of the red cliffs.
A Class 3 minor crack that leads to the top of the red cliffs.
A flat section after coming over the cliffs' rim, the true summit of Mount Kinesava visible ahead.
A flat section after coming over the cliffs' rim, the true summit of Mount Kinesava visible ahead.
View back toward the cliff rim where we ascended from, center. We began heading up the white dome-like summit.
View back toward the cliff rim where we ascended from, center. We began heading up the white dome-like summit.
Class 2/3 slab stuff.
Class 2/3 slab stuff.
Another shot back into the flat section. Springdale visible far below.
Another shot back into the flat section. Springdale visible far below.
Class 2/3 slab stuff.
Class 2/3 slab stuff.
Matt coming up a Class 3 section.
Matt coming up a Class 3 section.
Final Class 3 to the summit.
Final Class 3 to the summit.
Mount Kinesava summit, view west.
Mount Kinesava summit, view west.
Mount Kinesava summit, view northeast toward The West Temple.
Mount Kinesava summit, view northeast toward The West Temple.
Mount Kinesava summit, view into Springdale.
Mount Kinesava summit, view into Springdale.
Back at the base of Mount Kinesava, we wrapped around to the west to find the petroglyphs.
Back at the base of Mount Kinesava, we wrapped around to the west to find the petroglyphs.
Petroglyphs located left of center on the cleaved-looking wall amongst the brush.
Petroglyphs located left of center on the cleaved-looking wall amongst the brush.
Petroglyphs.
Petroglyphs.

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