Hike Tabernacle Dome Zion National Park, UT

Apr 04, 2021 — 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.