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Two Pine Arch and Progeny Peak

On the east side of Zion National Park, detailed patterns have been wind swept into blond slickrock and imbedded with subtle tints of yellow, pink and green. A wonderland of geological processes twisted and tortured the rock and sand into magnificent arrangements of stone. Uplift and erosion resulted in spires, domes, hoodoos, mountains and an occasional arch. A few arches stand today in the arid landscape of the park. Although arches are common in other areas of southern Utah, there is no place that surrounds them with such sweet scenery as does Zion. Two Pines Arch is such a treasure. Climb Progeny Peak above the arch and panoramic majesty unfolds in every direction.

At a Glance
Photo Album: Progeny Peak Pictures
Trail Maps: Progeny Peak Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes
Arch Distance: .4 miles one way
Progeny Peak Distance: .8 mile one way. Total hike distance to summit and back: 1.6 miles.
Average Hiking Time: 3 hours to the peak and back.
Equipment: Carry at least 2 quarts of water per person, energy foods, basic first aid kit, emergency supplies and proper clothing for the season. Always wear sturdy sticky rubber shoes when scrambling on slickrock.
Difficulty: The hike to the arch is a quick jaunt, but if going to the peak the hike becomes moderately strenuous with exposed slickrock scrambling.
Permits: Not required.
Trailhead: The trailhead is on the north side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Highway 9) and just east of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel . Look for the small wash, identified by a yellow sign that says: "Caution Delays Possible Be Prepared to Stop".
Trailend: Same as trailhead.
Trail Access: The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway is open year-round.

Best Season: The best time of the year is spring, fall and even, but only hike on slickrock when the surface is dry. If hiking in the summer begin early in the morning to reduce sun exposure. Scrambling on slickrock should only be attempted by experienced hikers. It's important to only wear sticky hiking shoes to help grip the rock and to help avoid accidents. Slickrock is dangerous when wet and cold. The rock is often dotted with moss, which holds water and becomes slippery like ice when it's cold out.

Directions to Zion National Park From the North: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to Zion's east entrance. From Arizona: Travel US-89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to the east park entrance. From the South: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane to LaVerkin. Continue on SR-9 to the south entrance of the park. SR-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. See restrictions for RV's.			Two Pines Arch is visible from the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, but it's difficult to see without knowing exactly where to look. The short 45 minute hike to a view point of the arch is fun and easy.
	Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.

Progeny Peak
From "Two Pines Arch," the climb to the summit of Progeny Peak gets steep and tricky, so finding the easiest path up is important. Hike north from the arch, to the left side of the buttress. There is a steep slab to negotiate almost immediately. Use the ridges in the "slabby" rock to your advantage and travel will be easier. At the top of the slab it becomes evident that heading right on top of the ridge is easier. Soon the top of the saddle is acquired. Hoodoos are to the west, and the summit of Progeny Peak towers above to the northeast.

From the saddle, walk easterly in the general direction of the summit and work through the ledge systems. Soon travel is easiest if you traverse slightly right and up the slabs toward the shoulder, formed on the south side of the summit. Heading too far to the north, (left) will only make the climb steeper. Some small ledges need to be negotiated on the way up to the south shoulder of Progeny Peak. Once on the south shoulder, bear to the north and it will be a short uphill scramble to the summit.

Once on top , looking southwest from Progeny Peak, the end of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is visible as well as Zion's West and East Temples. To the west and north are the Twin Brothers, Mountain of the Sun, Deertrap Mountain and the East Rim. Looking east, views of Crazy Quilt Mountain and Checkerboard Mesa partially hide the white cliffs bordering the Grand Staircase. The sights are truly spectacular and worth the .8 mile hike and 1000' elevation gain.

GPS Coordinates WGS84 Datum

Trailhead
37°12.952 N
112°55.823 W

Two Pines Arch
37°13.087 N
112°55.856 W.

Progeny Peak
37°13.297 N
112°55.836 W

GPS coordinates are only references and may or may not be accurate. Do not rely on GPS coordinates as the sole method of navigation. Always have an accurate, detailed map at hand and have the proper map reading and navigation skills before setting out on any hike. A GPS has limited capabilities in many areas.

Zion National Park Trails with Natural Arches along the path:

Free Standing Arches outside of Zion National Park

Canaan Mountains Pictures
Coyote Butte - The Wave Pictures

Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and zionnational-park.com author Mary Cisneros.

To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more information please visit the Zion National Park Forum

Suggested Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury.

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