Mount Zion (Washington)

Mount Zion
Highest point
Elevation4,278 ft (1,304 m) NGVD 29[1]
Prominence1,318 ft (402 m)[1]
Coordinates47°55′24″N 123°00′38″W / 47.9234239°N 123.0104492°W / 47.9234239; -123.0104492[2]
Geography
LocationClallam County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeOlympic Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Mount Zion
Climbing
Easiest routeTrail hike

Mount Zion is a 4,278-foot (1,304 m) peak in the Olympic National Forest. The peak is located 9.5 miles (15.3 km) northwest of Quilcene, and near Lords Lake and Bon Jon Pass. Billed as one of the easier hikes in the Olympics,[3] Zion offers a 1,340-foot (410 m) elevation gain in just under 2 miles (3.2 km).[4]

Trail Characteristics

For those testing its trail in June and July, rhododendrons in full bloom crowd the sides of the path. The trail ascends through remnants of long-ago fires, second growth fir and cedar, spring blooming rhododendrons, Oregon grape, salal and leafy ferns. Near the top of the trail, basalt monoliths rise from the wooded slopes. One of the tallest offers westward views of Gray Wolf Ridge.

Views of the Olympic Mountains are screened by trees, but glimpses of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan are there for the taking to the northeast and Mount Rainier can be seen to the southeast.

References

  1. ^ a b "Mount Zion, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ "Mount Zion". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. ^ "Mt. Zion Trail #836" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  4. ^ Olympic Mountain Rescue (Society) (1988). Climber's guide to the Olympic Mountains (3rd ed.). Seattle: Mountaineers Books. p. 129. ISBN 0-89886-154-3.
360° panorama from the southwest slope of Mount Zion near the summit, Olympic National Forest.