Southwest of Springdale and north of Route 9 is the hottest, driest section of Zion National Park and is overlooked by most visitors as they drive to and from Springdale and Zion Canyon. At a lower elevation than any other part of the park, the desert section's beauty is more subtle and is pleasant only in the cooler months, but several washes are worthy of exploration up into this lonely area of the park.
Fairly strenuous day hike or backpacking.
While there are many hiking possibilities in the "desert section" of Zion National Park, the Chinle Trail is the one official trail. Starting in the "Anasazi Plateau" residential development, the trail enters Zion and continues for seven miles, crossing over a petrified forest and the several named washes of the area. A handful of campsites are scattered along the trail for backpacking opportunities.
Moderately strenuous day hike.
Huber Wash is one of the major drainages in Zion's southern desert section. This wash is usually dry and at roughly two miles in length between, it makes for a fairly easy half-day hike. As with all hikes in the desert section, it could be brutally hot during the summer. For those with a little scrambling experience, Huber Wash can be used as an alternate start to the Chinle Trail.
Fairly strenuous hiking/backpacking.
Coalpits Wash is the major drainage in the southern desert section of Zion National Park. From Route 9, Coalpits Wash may appear to be a barren and uninteresting drainage, but if you're looking for a long day hike or a mild backpacking adventure, you can hike up Coalpits Wash for roughly nine miles of lonely scenery to surround yourself in Zion mountain formations.
Moderately strenuous day hike.
Scoggins Wash is a short tributary of the larger Coalpits Wash and provides extra territory to explore for those hiking the Chinle Trail. There is usually a small flow of water in the upper sections of this barren-looking wash and while this isn't a destination hike, it can be combined with the Chinle Trail or Coalpits Wash to make a good day hike.
Moderately strenuous day hike.
Yet another alternative start to exploring the desert section is via the high-clearance Dalton Wash Road west of Coalpits Wash. The trailhead is located at the western park boundary just north of Crater Hill and provides somewhat easier access to Upper Coalpits Wash. The faint trail heads east and joins up with Coalpits Wash at the official end of the Chinle Trail.
Fairly strenuous day hike.
Have you ever wanted to hike the Chinle Trail, Huber Wash, Scoggins Wash, and Coalpits Wash all in one day but you didn't think it was possible? Don't you wish you could do a loop hike that doesn't involve backtracking over scenery that you have already seen? Are you tired of dishwasher spots on your glasses? Well, this hiking route is just what you have been looking for!
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