Mt Zion

Mount Zion is a foothill on the eastern flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The 7,062-foot (2,152 m) peak is located in Windy Saddle Park,1.7 miles west of downtown Golden, Colorado

Alternate Title:

Tiers of Zoin Crag

This is a beautiful zone that has a variety of fun routes in the 5.6-5.11 range, single pitch mostly with a few multi-pitch routes. It has become one of the most popular places to climb for a moderate climber on the Front Range. It is NW facing so it stays shady in the mornings. Approach from parking is 15-25 minutes depending on if you are headed to Upper or Lower Tiers.

The Tiers are hidden high on the northwest face of Mt. Zion (Nuu-agha-tuvu-pu [Ute] and Cheyenne territory). If you had x-ray vision, and you stood in downtown Golden looking through the big white "M," you would see the Tiers. Several layers of cliffs rise from a wooded slope, offering surprisingly good rock quality and a secluded, beautiful setting. This is a unique place for the Golden area, with mostly moderate slab and face climbs leading to airy perches over quiet woods full of willows, wildflowers, and lots of wildlife. Ravens, vultures, and even golden eagles circle overhead along with the paragliders, and in the spring and summer you will be buzzed by hummingbirds as you climb. The views to the west overlooking Clear Creek Canyon are expansive and distinctly backcountry, not a city or house in sight. It feels worlds away from the traffic down in the canyon and the hustle of downtown Golden, despite being so close.

The climbing is northwest-facing, at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet and starts in the trees, so it is generally cooler, shadier, and more lichenous than the routes down in Clear Creek Canyon. Some climbs also stay wetter for longer after rain or snow, and the base area will hold snow longer than crags down in the canyon. Thus, the climbing season on the Tiers may start later and end earlier than at other CCC/Golden areas, but it offers great relief in the heat of the summer and a very different feel than the dusty roadside crags in the canyon.

• Suitable Activities: Climbing
• Climbing Category: Crag Rock Climb
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Length: 1.0 mi

• Land Manager: Jefferson County Open Space
• Parking Permit Required: Other
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 14
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 14