Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park

These three fangs of photogenic rock point into the Utah sky like Grand Teton wannabes. The Three Patriarchs, or what others refer to as the Court of the Patriarchs, rank as one of Zion National Parks most recognized landmarks.

The Three Patriarchs can be found in Zion Canyon. To access you must ride the park's free shuttle service. The stop for the Three Patriarchs is early in the ride, immediately after Canyon Junction. A short, uphill path, less than 400 feet, leads to a clear viewpoint of these famed peaks. All three, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, top 6,800 feet with Abraham the tallest at 6,990 feet. For a closer view you can hike Sand Bench Trail, a horse path that's open to hikers. It covers 3.5 miles roundtrip. A sandy stretch through a field of sage is level, but because of the sand, can be taxing on the legs. The entire hike takes about three hours. Be sure to carry water if you trek during the height of summer for much of the trail is exposed to direct sun.

The Three Patriarchs, like many of the other landmarks scattered throughout the park, were named by Frederick Fisher, a Methodist minister.