Tabernacle Dome in Zion National Park, UT

Hike Tabernacle Dome Zion National Park, UT

Class 5 2.4 miles 800 gain 1-2 hr Out + Back Apr 4, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
Directions
Route Map
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Tabernacle Dome is an iconic rounded peak along Zion National Park's Kolob Terrace Road. This is a short and really fun Class 4/5 route to an outstanding viewpoint. We parked at a pulloff and followed the remains of an old road to the western toe of Tabernacle Dome. We left this road and headed through the desert for a short time, descending on a social trail to the base of the peak into a sandy wash. There were a series of sandstone chutes which at first glance felt confusing, but lots of footprints and scuff marks leading to a specific one gave away the correct route. Some Class 3 led to a Class 4 move up the chute. The holds are all there and I was able to down-climb this section without too much concern on the way back. Others might want to use a bolt at the top to handline on the descent. I believe this move is what people call low Class 5 (5.2-5.4), but it isn't exposed and just requires a pull move over a lip. We continued into another Class 4 chute, more narrow and feeling slightly like a slot canyon. Above here the social trail was obvious enough though lots of Class 2 obstacles as we worked east along the toe.

Soon Tabernacle Dome came into view and sandstone hoodoos introduced some minor route-finding. Keeping right around the hoodoos added a short Class 3 downclimb move and kept us mostly to the ridgeline. We found ourselves at the base of the peak, where the steep slab gave us a moment of hesitation. After encountering lots of scary slabs in Zion, this one didn't feel quite as severe as others. Don't get me wrong though, it's scary and a fall would be fatal. We started up Class 2, then Class 3 friction climbing until we reached a crack/seam in the face which allowed for a exposed-feeling Class 4 move. A small bush provided a helpful root, and more Class 3/4 slab brought us to safer terrain above. The walk was pleasant to the summit and we took in the amazing views toward the Guardian Angels and other surrounding peaks.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Tabernacle Dome
6430 ft
510 rise

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Close-up toward Tabernacle Dome. The route heads up a chute on the right to gain the toe, then heads up to the ridge and traverses to the base oh the slab on the left.
Close-up toward Tabernacle Dome. The route heads up a chute on the right to gain the toe, then heads up to the ridge and traverses to the base oh the slab on the left.
Starting out toward Tabernacle Dome.
Starting out toward Tabernacle Dome.
At the base of Tabernacle Dome. The key chute is above Josh's head.
At the base of Tabernacle Dome. The key chute is above Josh's head.
Entering the key chute, left of center.
Entering the key chute, left of center.
Class 4/5 move crux of the route. Some say 5.2-5.4. It's not exposed.
Class 4/5 move crux of the route. Some say 5.2-5.4. It's not exposed.
View down at the crux of the route. Not exposed, just requires a couple of light climbing moves. We ran into Andy (the guy from CP's book!) and we chatted for a bit.
View down at the crux of the route. Not exposed, just requires a couple of light climbing moves. We ran into Andy (the guy from CP's book!) and we chatted for a bit.
Past the crux, another fun chute.
Past the crux, another fun chute.
Class 4 up the chute.
Class 4 up the chute.
View down the chute. Honestly, if these chutes were difficult for you, the slab to come is not something I recommend you try.
View down the chute. Honestly, if these chutes were difficult for you, the slab to come is not something I recommend you try.
Class 2 and a social trail past the chute system.
Class 2 and a social trail past the chute system.
View back, Kolob Terrace Road visible on the left.
View back, Kolob Terrace Road visible on the left.
Tabernacle Dome comes into view. We stayed just right of the hoodoos on the left and more-or-less were able to keep to the ridge leading to the base of the slab.
Tabernacle Dome comes into view. We stayed just right of the hoodoos on the left and more-or-less were able to keep to the ridge leading to the base of the slab.
View back along the ridge (right) we came from.
View back along the ridge (right) we came from.
Base of Tabernacle Dome, starting up the Class 2 slab section.
Base of Tabernacle Dome, starting up the Class 2 slab section.
Class 3 slab.
Class 3 slab.
Wide-shot of Tabernacle Dome. Shawn is seen center on the Class 4 crux of the slab.
Wide-shot of Tabernacle Dome. Shawn is seen center on the Class 4 crux of the slab.
Crack/seam that keeps the route reasonable.
Crack/seam that keeps the route reasonable.
Friends heading up the crux.
Friends heading up the crux.
Shot back down the crux. I took this photo on the way down, hence the crab-crawl.
Shot back down the crux. I took this photo on the way down, hence the crab-crawl.
Final Class 2/3 up the slab.
Final Class 2/3 up the slab.
Just below the summit on Class 2 terrain.
Just below the summit on Class 2 terrain.
Tabernacle Dome summit, view toward the Guardian Angels.
Tabernacle Dome summit, view toward the Guardian Angels.
Tabernacle Dome, wide shot to the east.
Tabernacle Dome, wide shot to the east.
Tabernacle Dome, view south.
Tabernacle Dome, view south.

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