Peak Climbed: Klondike Bluffs

Peak Height: 5,580'

Route: NE Slopes

Difficulty: 5.2

Location: Arches National Park, Utah

Trailhead: Tower Arch Trailhead

Mileage & Gain: 1.5 mi & 600 ft RT

Date Climbed: April 17, 2019

Klondike Bluffs is in a seldom visited area of Arches National Park. The large jumble of hoodoos is somewhat complex and for a while peakbaggers were unsure which of the highpoints was the true summit. Unlocking the secrets of this little peak seemed like a good way to spend a morning with an iffy forecast.

It has recently been established that the southeasternmost summit is the highest, and while it looks formidable from a distance, one short low fifth class pitch is all that's required to reach the top. We found a rappel anchor at the top of the pitch, a piece of webbing around a somewhat suspicious block. We did use it, more or less downclimbing while on rappel and not weighting the anchor much.