Firepit Knoll

Summit elevation: 7,265 ft (2214 m)
Distance: about < 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip
Elevation gain: ~700 ft (213 m)
Date: January 22, 2011

Pine Valley Mountains from Firepit Knoll

Firepit Knoll is a small cinder cone volcano along the Kolob Terrace Road in Zion National Park.  There is nothing special about this volcano, but during my first month in Zion I wanted to see what this section of the park was like.  However, the road was closed below the Wildcat Canyon trailhead, and I wanted to do something here.

Looking north from Firepit Knoll

So, I saw Firepit Knoll and Spendlove Knoll to its south sticking out above the plateau.  I had never been to a cinder cone volcano before and decided to hike up it.  There is no trail to the top, so I had to walk straight up the side of the cone.  The loose cinders, snow, and thick gambel's oak made it a little difficult at times to go up, but as long as I stayed on the south slopes snow was not a problem until the top.

Looking south from Firepit Knoll

The crater at the top was a flat meadow, and there were many elk tracks at the top as well as on the sides.  The view from the top was good, especially that of the Pine Valley Mountains.  The Hop Valley and Connector trails go by Firepit Knoll, and there is a trailhead to its southwest, but in the winter you will have to park along the road.

Firepit Knoll's crater

Firepit Knoll at center from higher on the Kolob Terrace Road in April

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