Northgate Peaks, Firepit Knoll, Lambs Knoll

I left the homestead for the Kolob Terrace Road the day after summiting Nippletop and a few other interesting Zion summits. Shoulda checked my gas before leaving though 'cause that road is darn steep and before I knew it I had less than a quarter tank and I anxiously began wondering if I would have to turn around before doing anything at all. I had a few destinations in mind for the day, all of them spread up and down the road in various locations. The Northgate Peaks (both east and west) were a top priority, located farthest up the road. I'd visit them first. I coasted when I could, the engine runnin' on high hopes and positive vibrations. 

With great luck and much felicity, I managed to make it to my desired location, making a right and pulling into the dirt parking area for the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead. A fairly popular spot, the trailhead serves as a starting point for a wide variety of interesting Zion backcountry locations, the Subway and North and South Guardian Angels among the more notable spots. I found a parking space, grabbed my pack, and then set off down the trail, the air crisp and cool, the ground soft and muddy from snowmelt, the pines fresh and green, the sky an extraordinary blue. 

On the Wildcat Canyon Trail

I passed a junction with the Hop Valley Trail, turning right not long afterwards towards the Northgate Peaks Viewpoint. So far, I hadn't seen a single soul all day. West Northgate Peak loomed off to my right, a delight to the eyes. I soon left the trail for a faint use path to gain its north ridge, although it was pretty obvious where to go. I hiked diagonally down a fairly steep slope, angling towards the base of the peak's north ridge. I started on the sandstone slabs, slowly ascending the steep ridge, careful to avoid the lingering patches of snow and ice.

West Northgate Peak

Headin' up the north ridge

Almost to the summit, East Northgate Peak visible left

I encountered nothing worse than fairly steep class 2 on my way up, deciding to linger a tad to the east when I could. Going straight up the thing would provide less exposure, but it was a bit more steep and I always avoid steep when I darn well can avoid it so I stayed slightly to the east, following a gentle ramp to the base of the final summit push. A brief session on the ol' outdoor stairmaster later and I had made it to the expansive summit, impeccable views in all four cardinal directions.

North Guardian Angel loomed to the south, its steep east ridge scary yet tempting. Pine Valley Peak and Pocket Mesa stood tall in the northwest, their white sandstone bodies in stark contrast with the sea of green that surrounded them. To the east was a mixture of canyons, peaks, hoodoos and mesas, all of them in the Zion backcountry. And of course, sitting right next to me, was East Northgate Peak, a little shorter but still interesting nonetheless. I stayed for a few minutes on the summit, soaking in the views and the sun, shedding layers, drinking water, stuff like that. Once I'd had my fill I donned my pack and set off down the mountain. 

Pine Valley Peak left, Pocket Mesa right

Zion Backcountry, East Northgate Peak center left

North Guardian Angel

Heading back down...

I encountered three spring breakers on my way down. They were taking a break on one of the steeper sections of the north ridge, dressed in cotton t-shirts and shorts and Vans and running shoes, their faces wearing an expression hinting that they didn't really know what they were doing. One of them asked if I had made it to the summit, and I explained how I got there and what to expect. They nodded and thanked me and I wished them well and they said "you too" and then I continued on down, sliding through the snow just for fun. I climbed back up the fairly steep slope I'd descended earlier, picked up the main trail, and followed it all the way to the Viewpoint. 

I passed a couple of people on my way there, noticing a few others taking pictures of West Northgate Peak. The three spring breakers were still in the same spot I'd left them, most likely debating whether or not to turn around. Seems like I wasn't done with their ilk yet, for not long after I spotted them on the ridge I got stuck behind another group of spring breakers, these folks appearing much better prepared with packs and water and a phone with a map on it. I asked if they were going to East Northgate Peak and they said yes and then I asked if they were doing North Guardian Angel as well and they said "What is that?" and that about told me all I needed to know. We followed a very well-worn use trail from the Viewpoint, the spring breakers trying to follow the GPS on their phone. We walked right by the use trail for the summit and continued to the peak's super steep west face. I decided to directly ascend the face, wishing them well and they telling me "good luck." They continued wandering around the west face of the peak, trying to find a way to the top. When I was about halfway up, I looked down and saw that they were following me. Guess they gave up on the ol' GPS. 

The steep west face of East Northgate Peak

I quickly reached the summit, the views, in my opinion, slightly better than those on West Northgate Peak. I could see both North and South Guardian Angels, their summits beautiful and beckoning. The Zion backcountry stretched out before me, the landscape rugged and wild. I could see the descent into the famous Subway, the canyon steep and precipitous. I took some photos, chewed on a PB&J, and then left the summit to an open area just to the south, laying down in the dirt and sand and soaking in the view. The spring breakers eventually made it to the top, wandering a bit farther east to partake in a celebratory summit lunch. After about 10 minutes I got up, gathered my things, and then made my way back, following the use trail this time instead of descending the steep west face.

West Northgate left, Pine Valley Peak right

Headin' down the use trail...

A lot more people were out and about now. I passed a few parties on my way back to the parking lot, some there just for the day, some with their kids, and others dressed in sun hoodies and nylon pants and huge backpacks and trekking poles and looking very serious. I got back to the car, started 'er up, and then coasted most of the way down to my second destination, no longer worried much about gas. 

The next spot on the itinerary was Firepit Knoll, an old cinder cone just northeast of the Hop Valley trailhead. I found a pullout in the road and started walking, leaving behind my pack and water. There was a dirt road that I coulda taken, but I didn't for whatever reason. Instead, I bushwhacked through prickly desert flora on my way over to the west face of the Knoll, ripping a small hole in my shirt. Dang it. Shoulda just taken the road.

Firepit Knoll

Loose

Nearing the rim

I weaved through the brush, crossing the road at one point and then immediately began ascending the steep, loose western face. Not a whole lotta brush anymore, but the going was slow. I left a small forest of trees and entered the brush once again, all of it about chest-high. I zig-zagged up animal trails, approaching the rim. So far, the views were actually pretty good, particularly of Red Butte and the snow-dusted Pine Valley Mountains. Up and up I went, weaving in and around pokey bushes until finally gaining the rim. I could see the high point of the rim to the north, the grassy crater a lot bigger than I expected. The thing really did look like a big ol' fire pit after all. An aptly named summit indeed.

Walking along the rim, bobbing in and out of the brush, I eventually reached the summit, a cairn made out of volcanic rocks marking the highpoint. Semi-brushy views in all directions, not a whole lot going on. I stayed for roughly 2 minutes before retracing my steps off the mountain, glad I checked it out but fixed with the idea to never come back.

Red Butte and Pine Valley Mountains

Summit Cairn

It was a lot easier on the way down. So much so that I slipped and landed on my butt and got a small boo boo on my left wrist. Oh well. Such things happen on old cinder cones. I entered the trees, found the dirt road, and then took the road the rest of the way back to the car. Shoulda just taken that thing on the way it; woulda saved me a whole lotta trouble. 

I considered ascending Spendlove Knoll since it was directly to my left, but decided to save it for later. Instead, I continued on down to my last planned summit of the day: Lambs Knoll. I coasted down the road, pulling into the fairly crowded parking lot. I chugged some water and then set off on the trail, entering a dry wash and noticing several climbers out and about, some of them just little kids no older than seven. 

I followed a very well-worn use trail up a drainage, passing a few climbers who were making their way back down. Not long afterwards, I reached a saddle of sorts and realized I had gone the wrong way. Rats. The summit was off to my left, and unless I wanted to free-solo some sketchy lookin' class 5, I wasn't gonna get up there. So I turned around and went back down a ways before noticing my mistake, taking a less noticeable but still obvious use trail that wrapped around to the south. 

Heading up the drainage

The summit was now to my right, looking much more tame. The use trail eventually disintegrated into the ether, leaving me to wander through a field of aromatic sagebrush. I made my way to another saddle, ascended some class 2 slabs, and then angled north towards the summit. I soon caught sight of it, a red, pointy lookin' thing with a nice class 3 crack leading to the top. I ascended this brief class 3 section, the exposure minimal. 

Lambs Knoll summit

Some minor class 3

Once atop the summit I dropped my pack, sat on the slabs and absorbed the 360° views. These were, without a doubt, the best I'd seen all day. I spent nearly half an hour on the summit, gazing out at the scenery, noting the peaks I'd climbed earlier in the day and a few others I'd like to climb in the future. And then I found a flat spot, put the ol' hat over my head and took a quick snooze, the surrounding temperature feeling exactly like a cozy, warm blanket. 

Southeast

Southwest

West(ish)

Northeast(ish)

East

I drank the last of my water which meant it was time to head back. I retraced my steps, picked up the use path, entered the drainage, and got back on the trail. Back in the car, back on the road, coasting all the way down to the gas station. I'm not sure what kind of tank I have, but the thing drank up 14½ gallons. Very thirsty. Next time I'll definitely check that before setting off on another adventure.  

And that about wraps up the day. It was a lot more mellow than the day prior, mostly serving as a reconnaissance for routes to additional peaks, mostly North and South Guardian Angels. Boy oh boy, thems were some good lookin' mountains. I'll most likely attempt them sometime in the future. In the meantime, just gotta wait for the snow to melt.