A Subterranian Slot in a Large Canyon Pantheon:
Echo Canyon is the large canyon complex located on the east side of the main canyon just across from Angels Landing. Most hikers catch only a few glimpses into its depths as they hike the Observation Point Trail/East Rim Trail through Echo Canyon, but the middle section of canyon makes for a great and relatively short canyoneering adventure. Visiting the deep and dark middle technical section of Echo Canyon involves several short rappels, downclimbs, and swims through cold and sometimes putrid water, but the subterranean scenery is just as outstanding as other comparable Zion slots like Pine Creek or Keyhole Canyon.
⚠ WARNING: This route is not suitable for hikers who have no technical canyoneering experience.
Logistics:
You must get a permit to do this route. The National Park Service limits access to Echo Canyon to 12 people a day. For more information on canyoneering permits and reservations, please see the Zion Wilderness Permits website.
CLOSURE NOTICE: Weeping Rock and the lower East Rim Trail/Observation Point Trail are currently closed due to a massive landslide. Echo Canyon is open (conditions permitting), but you must approach from one of the trailheads on the east plateau. The Stave Spring Trailhead is the most convenient, but the East Mesa Trailhead also works if you also want a longer hike to visit Observation Point.
The Approach Hike:
The standard Echo Canyon canyoneering route described here could take 3-8 hours total at an average speed with 1-3 hours spent in the belly of the canyon. While the approach traditionally started at the Weeping Rock Trailhead, since the big landslide, the easiest approach is now via the Stave Spring Trailhead. Hike the trail from the Stave Spring Trailhead and after half a mile, turn right at the junction and take the East Rim Trail as it heads northwest to the edge of the Echo Canyon pantheon. The trail will then descend roughly 1000 feet as it makes its way into the canyon.
The East Rim Trail is a bit rough as it makes its way across Echo Canyon, but less than .3 miles from the junction with the Observation Point Trail, you will cross a major drainage. This is the standard and easy entrance into Middle Echo Canyon. Look for the trail of use that provides fairly easy access down to the bottom of the drainage. This drainage joins up with Echo Canyon proper and now the fun begins!
The Route through Echo Canyon:
Echo Canyon doesn't waste any time getting interesting. The next half mile of subterranean canyon involves four short rappels with floating disconnects (each roughly 20 feet), a handful of cold swims and several downclimbs. Rappel 1 is off of a chockstone (down canyon right) into a swimming pool.
Swim around the corner to dry land and you're at Rappel 2 off of bolts into a typically shallow pool. Around the corner of the far side is a small little toilet bowl-like pothole with the bolts for rappel 3 on the far side. When the toilet bowl pothole isn't filled with sand, it's tall enough to be a bit of a challenge; partner assists can help dropping in and climbing out the other side, but there is only room for 1 or 2 people to sit on the lip to get on Rappel 3.
Rappel 3 goes into a larger dark swimming pool known as the semi-keeper pothole*. In low-water conditions, the exit can be several feet above water level requiring a partner assist or pothole-exiting tools and tricks to get out of. (This pool often collects a lot of plant material and has a reputation for being foul-smelling.)
Once past the semi-keeper obstacle, downclimb into another dark swimming pool and on the far side, you will reach Rappel 4, another short rap into a beautiful carved sandstone chamber with another short pool at the bottom.
Beyond the technical section, there is a fair amount of hiking through tall and dark corridors with several downclimbs past boulders and logjams and possibly a few swims. One of the more interesting sections is the canyon's namesake, the so-called "Echo Chamber" where the tall and curved shape of the walls makes for excellent reverberation. (Hikers on the trail above will be able to hear your singing.) Soon enough, you will be back to the world of the living where the slot section opens up and you rejoin the Observation Point Trail. Time to hike back up and out!
Fun Facts about Echo Canyon:
HIKING UP MIDDLE ECHO: It is possible to hike up Middle Echo Canyon at the Observation Point Trail crossover, but typically several scummy pools and difficult logjam obstacles will discourage most from making much progress. In dry conditions, it is possible to hike all the way up to the Echo Chamber.
LOWER ECHO CANYON: While this route description is solely for Middle Echo Canyon, before the landslide of 2019, canyoneers have occasionally descended Lower Echo Canyon, the section of canyon downstream from the Observation Point Trail crossover. While this was legal with a permit, it is not legal to exit the canyon by rappelling out over Weeping Rock. Lines must be fixed so you can ascend back up the canyon.
*SEMI-KEEPER POTHOLE WARNING: The difficulty of the semi-keeper pothole varies quite a bit. In easy high-water conditions, a beached whale move can get you out. In low-water conditions, this exit can be a significant challenge with the exit lip located several feet above water level, making climbing out extremely difficult. Be prepared to do a pack toss with a climbing etrier or some other method of pothole escape. Do not take this obstacle for granted; a few people have gotten trapped here and have required rescue. Check on conditions as you get your permit and if you are unsure, bring your pothole escape tools and know how to use them.
Joe's Spin:
When you hit this canyon in fresh water conditions, this is an amazingly wonderful canyoneering experience. A step up from Keyhole Canyon, but less committing than Pine Creek (and arguably more beautiful than both), I'm surprised it's not as popular as some of the other "trade route" canyons in Zion, but perhaps the reputation for scummy pools really turns away a lot of people. Be prepared and equipped to deal with that semi-keeper pothole! When the water is low, this canyon becomes a more serious adventure.
