DEERTRAP MOUNTAIN

A Remote Peak that Gives Up the Views:

Similar to 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 the edge of this mountain: the majestic White Cliffs surrounding Zion 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. As such, it's a great spot for solitude.

Rating: Fairly strenuous to strenuous day hike

Access: East Entrance Trailhead (near the entrance station off of Route 9 in the Upper East Canyon) or the remote Stave Spring Trailhead (behind the Zion Ponderosa Resort)

Time Required: 7-11 hours (from the East Entrance Trailhead), 4-6 hours (from the Stave Spring Trailhead)

Length: 19 miles round-trip (from the East Entrance Trailhead) or 9.5 miles round-trip (from the Stave Spring Trailhead)

Elevation Change: 1000-ft gradual ascent along the East Rim Trail (from the East Entrance Trailhead).

Seasons: Spring through fall. Access can be unpredictable in winter, especially the Stave Spring Trailhead.

Before the big rockfall of 2019, the most scenic way to hike to the top of Deertrap Mountain was to start at the Weeping Rock Trailhead in Zion Canyon and the East Rim Trail up to the east plateau to the Deertrap Mountain Trail. Since the closure of the lower East Rim Trail, you can still visit Deertrap Mountain, but you must start at either the East Entrance Trailhead or the remote Stave Spring Trailhead.

	Map #1: East Rim Trail from the East Entrance Trailhead
	Map #2: Driving to the remote East Side Trailheads
	Map #3: Cable Mountain and Deertrap Mountain Trails

Choosing a Trailhead:

Starting at the East Entrance Trailhead and following the East Rim Trail is logistically the easiest option as the trailhead is accessible year-round within the Upper East Canyon of Zion. The scenery is also more interesting, but the length of the hike makes this the more strenuous option. Starting at the Stave Spring Trailhead is a bit of a shortcut option, but you have to drive on remote dirt roads to the trailhead and parking is very limited and surrounded by private property. (There is a parking corral within NPS boundaries, but the road has been washed out for decades and 2WD vehicles often get stuck.)

Starting at the East Entrance Trailhead:

The East Entrance Trailhead is located just west of the East Entrance ranger station along Route 9 in the Upper East Canyon. Follow the short dirt road to the parking area. The East Rim Trail is a very well-defined sandy trail that heads north into wonderland of the White Cliffs as it makes its gradual ascent to the top of the plateau. Once the trail loops around and gains some elevation, we start to get some beautiful views of Checkerboard Mesa and the south side of the East Canyon in the distance. The trail then passes the head of Jolley Gulch with a dramatic 200-ft vertical drop from the rim.

After passing Jolley Gulch, the East Rim Trail heads northwest slowly continuing its ascent through the forested scenery of the upper plateau. After roughly 5.7 miles of hiking, you will reach the junction with the trail to Cable Mountain and Deertrap Mountain.

Starting at the Stave Spring Trailhead:

The alternative Stave Spring Trailhead is accessible via dirt roads behind the Zion Ponderosa Resort. Roughly 1.7 miles east of the Zion National Park border along Route 9, turn north onto the paved North Fork Road and follow it for 5.4 miles, then turn left onto the dirt road that heads west under the Zion Ponderosa gate. Turn left at Buck Road as it heads southwest towards the trailhead. (See map.)

Since parking is so limited and the final stretch of road to the NPS parking corral is always in poor condition, during the tourist season, East Zion Adventures offers a shuttle service for a nominal fee. Park at the Zion Ponderosa Resort and get a ride to and from the Stave Spring Trailhead. While the logistics of driving and parking are more difficult, the hiking is easy. Follow the mostly level forested trail .5 miles to the junction with the East Rim Trail and turn left (south) and continue for another .5 miles to the junction with the trail to Cable Mountain and Deertrap Mountain.

Hiking the Deertrap Mountain Trail:

Once the Deertrap Mountain Trail splits with the Cable Mountain Trail, the final three miles wander up and down several hills in the upper plateau. During the summer months, the trail can be quite overgrown and peppered with beautiful wildflowers. While there is no significant elevation change, there are a fair amount of ups and downs to wear down your legs.

Soon enough we reach the initial Deertrap Mountain viewpoint peering over Zion Canyon. Mountain of the Sun appears majestically in the foreground with both the East Temple and Weset Temple visible in the distance. Continue hiking north along the rim for more breathtaking views. At the northern tip of Deertrap Mountain, you can enjoy seemingly panoramic views in all directions and Angels Landing can be seen far below. Note: Although not officially part of the trail, you can also explore south along the rim to get interesting glimpses into the Upper East Canyon.

The Backpacking Option:

Although fast hikers might be able to visit both Cable Mountain and Deertrap Mountain in one day, a more enjoyable option would be to do both as a two-day backpacking trip. A wilderness permit is required for any overnight stay, but because this part of the park doesn't get much traffic, there are no designated camping sites. Stave Spring is usually a reliable water source, but check with the wilderness desk as you get your permit. You are required to camp out of eyesight of the trails and the area past the Deertrap Mountain Trail may offer the best opportunities for good campsites. (See the official Zion Backpacking page for more info on permits.)

Joe's Spin:

The hike to Deertrap Mountain is long and strenuous and probably won't appeal to everybody. But for those willing to put in the effort, the continual viewpoints along the rim are some of the best that Zion has to offer. This is a great mountain for solitude.