Johnson Mountain, Zion (~6170')

Pics by Harlan W. S.
April 23, 2006

SSW of "The Watchman" in Zion. Here's Johnson as seen from Watchman.

Try some music from "The Johnson Mountain Boys". If that doesn't work, try here or here.

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GPS trace. The last part of the route has two choices; a relatively short, direct approach with one obnoxious 5.8 section on very crappy rock; and a convoluted path with one class 4 on slightly less crappy (but still crappy) rock.

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~8:45 AM, view N up Zion Valley to Sentinel.

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View W as we prepare to cross over the N side of the Johnson ridge.

 

 

 

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Starting the real ascent.

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The obnoxious 5.8 section

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View NNE to Watchman.

 

 

 

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On the SE side of the summit block is a series of alcoves.

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From highest peaklet, view S to S Summit.

 

 

 

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View N up Zion Valley from highest point.

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Ta da! Cerebellum check.

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View N to highest point. CP stops to rewind the rope (that I had previously messed up).

 

 

 

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View of West Temple behind highpoint. Taken from S Summit.

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View N from S Summit; The Watchman on R.

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On descent, view S toward entrance to Zion Valley.

 

 

 

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Now we start looking for an easier route (which was hinted by sheep dung up high).

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This is the one "crux" on the southern route; nominally 4th class, in part because the rock is not very trustworthy -- so one doesn't use small protuberances as holds.

 

 

 

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Back to the west side of the ridge, view W as we prepare to drive back to Vegas.