THE MAIN CANYON Page: 1 2
CABLE MOUNTAIN
Rating: fairly strenuous hiking route.
Cable Mountain is a fairly remote viewpoint overlooking the main canyon. The cable works at the top of the mountain are a historical leftover of a working cable system from the early 1900's that brought timber and supplies from the upper east plateau to the canyon below. Because of the amount of effort it takes to get to the viewpoint, the hike to Cable Mountain offers you escape from the crowds of the main canyon.
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...		 Cable Mountain
DEERTRAP MOUNTAIN
Deertrap Mountain Rating: fairly strenuous hiking route. a Zion classicfamily-friendly
Like Cable Mountain, Deertrap Mountain is another fairly remote viewpoint that requires many miles of hiking, but its beauty is well worth the effort for a strong hiker. You can see everything from this mountain: the majestic White Cliffs surrounding the main canyon, Angels Landing and the Zion Lodge far below, and even Springdale in the distance to the south. Not too many people venture up here because it is just a little too strenuous for your average day hike, so it is a great spot for solitude.
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...
LOWER PINE CREEK
Rating: short easy hike.
Just past the Canyon Junction on Route 9 (heading towards the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel) is the impressive canyon of Lower Pine Creek, marked by the Great Arch in the distance. Although you can't see it too easily from the road, Lower Pine Creek does have a fair amount of flowing water. A pair of short hikes from the first and second switchbacks can take you to a cute little waterfall and also several fun swimming holes.
ROUTE INFORMATION and PHOTOS...		 Lower Pine Creek
MENU FALLS
Menu Falls Rating: easy short family stroll. family-friendly
Menu Falls is a nice little alcove and waterfall seep located roughly half a mile north of the Big Bend shuttle stop. This forgotten spot is so named because a picture of it was included on the cover of the original Zion Lodge menu. The actual falls and waterflow are quite small, but the ambience and sounds of the water are sublime. This has traditionally been a prime spot for exchanging vows in the park!
TRAIL INFORMATION and PHOTOS...
ECHO CANYON (Middle Echo Canyon)
Rating: moderately strenuous technical canyoneering. technical canyoneering route
This is a fun 4-5 hour diversion off of the main Weeping Rock to Observation Point/Cable Mountain trail. The main trails already wander though Echo Canyon, but about 1/2 a mile into the Cable Mountain route, just past a small wash, you can scramble into the beautiful middle Echo Canyon slot. This route involves a few short 20' rappels and a lot of swimming in some very cold, fairly scummy water; a 50' rope and a wetsuit are recommended. Not so far from the end of the route (which returns you back to the Observation Point trail), is the "Echo Chamber" - a narrow section where you should test out the acoustics. The only bad thing about this route: some of the ponds are rather stagnant and disturbing. Note: This is a technical route and a permit is required.		 Middle Echo Canyon
LADY MOUNTAIN
Lady Mountain Rating: strenuous exposed hiking and climbing. technical climbing/scrambling route
Lady Mountain is the southern peak overlooking the Emerald Pools and it used to be an official trail in Zion National Park, but it was closed in the late 1960's because it was so steep and dangerous. For those with climbing experience, the old route can still be followed to the top, but protection is recommended for the several exposed sections. After climbing over 2500 feet, you are rewarded with one of the most spectacular views -- an almost 360-degree view of the main canyon.
TELEPHONE CANYON BASIN
Rating: semi-strenuous off-trail hiking.
This is an unofficial diversion off of the main West Rim Trail. About a mile past Scout's Lookout (the start of Angels Landing), the West Rim Trail crosses over a small hiker's bridge as it turns east. After another 350 yards is a good spot to leave the main trail and aimlessly explore the beautiful lower Telephone Canyon basin as you please. You can also follow Telephone Creek east to a crest overlooking the Virgin River narrows several hundred feet below. Hike within your limits.		 Telephone Canyon Basin

 
Below are several of the more advanced canyoneering routes that end in the main canyon. I do not include any detailed route information here; I simply list them in the interest of being thorough. Maybe I will add descriptions and photos some time in the next few decades! Many good sources of information are available for these routes, including Tom's website, Shane's website, and Tom's "Zion: Canyoneering" book. Note: Backcountry permits are required for any technical canyon.

BEHUNIN CANYON
Rating: strenuous technical canyoneering. technical canyoneering route
Behunin is a classic technical canyoneering route with a few big-wall rappels over 150' and is done in a day. The route starts off of the West Rim Trail at one of the major turns shortly before reaching the top of the west plateau. Behunin Canyon is the tall open canyon just west of Mount Majestic. After a big rap to the canyon floor, the canyon is mostly dry and exposed and has a several interesting bouldering obstacles and shorter rappels. The final rappel lands you back in the main canyon, just north and out of site of the middle Emerald Pool Trail. This is one of the more popular "trade routes" in Zion.
HEAPS CANYON
Rating: strenuous technical canyoneering and backpacking. technical canyoneering routebackpacking route
Heaps Canyon is the grand-daddy of all technical canyons in Zion National Park, featuring many difficult narrows sections, difficult pothole escapes, and a grand finale 300-ft free rappel from the hanging mouth of Heaps Canyon into the Upper Emerald Pool area. This is the most difficult canyon in Zion and usually requires 2 days to complete. I don't provide any technical info here. Please see Tom's "Zion: Canyoneering" book for a thorough and honest assessment of this route.
UPPER TELEPHONE CANYON
Rating: strenuous technical canyoneering. technical canyoneering route
Upper Telephone Canyon is a short technical canyon off of Horse Pasture Plateau, starting from the Telephone Canyon Trail just off of the West Rim Trail. With over a dozen rappels, one after the other, the slot eventually opens up into Lower Telephone Canyon basin. This canyon is fairly well-known, but it is not very popular compared to the many other technical canyons in the area.
SPRY CANYON
Rating: strenuous technical canyoneering. technical canyoneering route
Spry Canyon is yet another beautiful technical canyon through slickrock country. Starting from the Upper East Canyon, the approach goes up Upper Pine Creek and scrambles out the west side under Deertrap Mountain. Spry is the slot between the Twin Brothers and the East Temple mountains. Several rappels up to about 170 feet with a dramatic exit into the main canyon above Lower Pine Creek.
MOUNTAIN OF THE SUN/LODGE CANYON
Rating: strenuous technical canyoneering. technical canyoneering route
Mountain of the Sun/Lodge Canyon starts off from the upper East Canyon just like the Spry route, but veers to the north to descent the canyon in between Deertrap Mountain and the Mountain of the Sun to dump you into the main canyon by the Zion Lodge. A side trip is to scramble up to the top of Mountain of the Sun. Rappels up to 200 feet, old bolts in poor-quality rock, and some climbing/rock scrambling. Permit required. Detailed info can be found on Tom's Canyoneering website. Note: Lodge Canyon is also known as "Employee Canyon", "Behind the Lodge", and for a brief moment in 2005, "Wylie Canyon."


Continue to Upper East Canyon ->


Hiking symbols used for descriptions:
a Zion classic ZION CLASSIC: a must-do hike if you want to see the best of Zion!
family-friendly FAMILY-FRIENDLY: a good choice for those with children who like to hike.
backpacking route BACKPACKING: a route enjoyable as a multi-day hike.
technical canyoneering or climbing route TECHNICAL: canyoneering or scrambling route requiring technical gear and climbing and/or rappelling experience. Not suitable for casual hikers.