| ORDERVILLE CANYON |
| ROUTE INFORMATION | VIEW PHOTOS! |
Overview:
Orderville Canyon is the amazing little sister to the main Virgin River Narrows and is a great "semi-technical" day hike for beginning canyoneers and experienced hikers. Orderville is narrower and darker (and in my opinion more beautiful) than the main Narrows, but that beauty comes at a cost. Like the Narrows hike, you will be in the water almost all of the time and depending on conditions, there may be several deep pools, some that require swimming. You will also encounter many boulders and rock formations that you must carefully scramble over, including two major abstacles that require a rappel or handline. All of this "work" adds up to an incredible canyon hiking experience.
Two Ways to Hike Orderville Canyon:
Logistics of the Top-Down Hike:
PERMITS: A Zion backcountry permit is required for all descents of Orderville Canyon. The NPS limits this canyon to 50 hikers a day and will not issue a permit if waterflow in the Narrows is above 100 cfs. Please see the Zion Permits website for more information.
CAR SPOTTING: To get to the Orderville Canyon trailhead, drive 4.3 miles east on Route 9 from the east border of the park and turn left (north) on the North Fork Road. Roughly 11.5 miles up the winding road, you will see a short dirt road to the west, designated by the BLM Orderville WSA (Wilderness Study Area) markers. Spot your car here (or better yet, hire an outfitter like the Zion Adventure Company to shuttle you so you don't have to worry about picking up your car afterwards).
Detailed Description:
The top-down hike is a long 11-mile hike through a rugged and beautiful slot canyon. From the Orderville Canyon trailhead, begin hiking down the dirt road and in about 2.75 miles, you will reach the 120-ft dryfall that marks the beginning of Orderville Canyon proper. Hike down a path of use on the left/south side of the canyon to make your way to the canyon floor. Now you are on your way!
The next several miles of the hike are quite easy; the upper section of Orderville Canyon is dry with not too many obstacles, so try to make quick time through this section. You don't really need a topo map for navigation on this hike, but if you're interested, it will help you pick out the mouths of several interesting side canyons: Birch Hollow, Walker Gulch, Espin Gulch, and Englestead Hollow. (Englestead ond Birch are fairly popular canyoneering routes.) The first major obstacle you will have to deal with is the "border boulder" -- 15-foot tall boulder that marks the border of the national park. This is a simple short rappel off of bolts on the north side. (If you are a climber, you could probably downclimb this, but most should play it safe to avoid injury.)
Once in the national park, the canyon starts to build character with several narrow slot sections and non-technical obstacles like a giant logjam that you must downclimb. In the next few miles, you will notice the dry ground start turning into mud, then flowing water. By Bulloch Gulch, the canyon is lush and green and you are in a magical oasis. Half-a-mile downstream from Bulloch Gulch is the 2nd major obstacle: the "double-chockstone obstacle" -- a large boulder in the ground creating a 10-foot tall waterfall with a second boulder suspended above it. This is another short rappel off of bolts in the south canyon wall.
The last mile of Orderville Canyon is the golden section referred to as the "obstacle course" or "waterpark" -- many little waterfalls, boulders to downclimb, interesting rock formations, and lush greenery. You will be sitting and sliding as often as you will be walking. Take it slowly and find the easiest/safest way down each little challenge. Note: Conditions may vary greatly depending on how the latest flash flood has displaced sand in the canyon. Some years, the entire canyon is barely waist-deep; other years when the potholes are empty, you may have several short swims.
Near the end of the route, you will have to descend "Veiled Falls" -- a waterfall that is usually only six-feet tall, but is the site of many rescues due to people jumping and twisting their ankles. The easiest descent is on the left (south) side of the canyon where subtle moki steps have been carved out of the rock to help give traction. Once past this obstacle, you should see many Narrows day-hikers coming up to great you. Be sure to soak up the sites and enjoy your time because before you know it, the canyon is over and you will reach the Virgin River. Hike down the rest of the Narrows, then down the Riverside Walk trail to the Temple of Sinawava.
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North Fork Road to the Zion Narrows and Orderville Canyon. Note: While viewing the map, click on the map to return to this page. |
Technical Challenges:
Plenty of wet rock-scrambling, downclimbing, and possibly a few swims in cold water. Two small rappels, both less than 20' in height.
Equipment Recommendations:
Since you will be hiking in water almost all of the time, water-friendly footwear is a must (unless you really want to get your hiking boots wet). Several manufacturers make good water shoes for hiking -- Keens sandals and La Sportiva Exum Rivers are two very popular models. (Do not use any casual footwear like Teva's; they don't protect your toes and they will get destroyed in only a few hours.) A walking stick or hiking poles are useful at the start of the hike and in the Narrows, but they are actually a nuisance in the Orderville Canyon obstacle course because you will need to use your hands quite often. Also useful: a little waterproof bag/drybag to protect your wallet and camera and the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map to track your progress.
TECHNICAL GEAR: 50' rope, rappelling gear, and a run of webbing (for handlines or if you need to replace webbing at one of the anchors).
Flash Flood Warning:
Orderville Canyon and the Zion Narrows both have a high flash-flood warning, so be sure to check the weather forecast and/or the Backcountry Desk for current conditions and for any advisories. Remember that it doesn't have to be raining directly above you for a threat to be possible. To see the current and median water levels, check the USGS's water data website. Remember that it doesn't have to be raining directly above you for a threat to be present. Keep an eye out for occasional spots of high ground where you could wait out a storm in an emergency.
Joe's Spin:
Orderville Canyon is mysterious, dark, wet, and amazingly beautiful; it is one of my favorite hikes and is an absolute joy, well worth the effort! From a hiker's point of view, this is a difficult, challenging hike. From a canyoneer's point of view, this is a fairly easy canyon with only two semi-technical challenges. If you have experience rock climbing or rappelling, this a great introductory hike to canyoneering.
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