Guide to Zion National Park, Utah - Hotels, Lodging, Real Estate...
May 14, 2008
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Zion Canyon Area Hikes
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Distance: 5 miles (round trip) Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 1,488 feet Duration: 4 – 5 hours Difficulty rating: Strenuous
One of the most talked about hikes in Zion National Park, the Angels Landing Trail leads to a high perch with an amazing view of Zion Canyon below. The trail begins directly across from the Grotto Picnic Area, paralleling the river until reaching switchbacks that ascend the canyon wall to Refrigerator Canyon, a welcome respite that supplies plenty of shade. The final ascent to Scout Lookout includes Walter’s Wiggles, a set of 21 tight switchbacks named after one of the park’s first superintendents. Scout Lookout provides excellent views of the canyon and serves as a springboard for the last 0.5-mile ascent to the pinnacle, which is not for the faint of heart. It is steep with long, sheer drop offs. Chains bolted to the rock supply secure handholds throughout this portion of the trail. Hikers extremely fearful of heights will not want to venture past Scout Lookout.
See on map below.
Canyon Overlook Trail
Distance: 1 mile (round trip) Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 163 feet Duration: 1 hour Difficulty rating: Moderate
This ideal family hike leads to a spectacular view of lower Zion Canyon’s towering formations, including West Temple, the Towers of the Virgin and the Streaked Wall, as well as the switchbacks of the Zion-Mt. Caramel Highway and the windows of the 1.1-mile Zion-Mt. Caramel Tunnel. The trail offers hikers a high vantage point (5,300 feet) without a strenuous climb. Along the trail, hikers catch a glimpse of Pine Creek Canyon, a popular spot for rappelling and a rock overhang featuring maidenhair fern. The trailhead is located at the end of the tunnel closest to the park’s east entrance.
See on map below.
Emerald Pools Trail System
Distance: 1.2 – 3 miles (round trip), depending on chosen route Trail type: Loop Elevation Change: 69 – 350 feet, depending on chosen route Duration: 0.5 – 2 hours, depending on chosen route Difficulty rating: Easy – Moderate
One of Zion’s most popular hikes, the Emerald Pools Trail System is a showcase of ponds, waterfalls, streaked rock overhangs, lush greenery, including ferns, moss, and columbines, as well as spectacular views of Zion Canyon’s towering rock monoliths. Hikers can choose to make the lower and middle pools trails a two-mile loop, or extend the hike by one mile by ascending to the upper pool, the largest of the three. The trail begins directly across from Zion Lodge and links to the Kayenta Trail, which connects to the Grotto Picnic Area. The Lower Emerald Pools Trail is handicap accessible.
See on map below.
Grotto Trail
Distance: 0.5 miles (one-way) Trail type: One-way (ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle back) Elevation Change: 69 – 350 feet, depending on chosen route Duration: 0.5 hour Difficulty rating: Easy
The Grotto Trail is a short, shady dirt path that connects Zion Lodge to the Grotto Picnic Area. It can form a loop with the Kayenta Trail and Emerald Pools Trail System.
See on map below.
Hidden Canyon
Distance: 3.2 miles (round trip) Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 1,000 feet Duration: 3-4 hours Difficulty rating: Strenuous
The Hidden Canyon Trail leads to a scenic canyon above the floor of Zion Canyon that boasts water-filled potholes and a 20-foot high natural arch. The paved trail, which originates from the Weeping Rock trailhead, ascends many switchbacks and contains sheer drops in some places. It features impressive views of the park’s formations, including the Organ and Big Bend. The canyon itself is shaded most of the time and features many unique cracks and crevices. Few venture past the canyon’s arch, where the trail becomes more difficult to traverse.
See on map below.
Kayenta Trail
Distance: 1 mile (one-way) Trail type: One-way (ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle back) Elevation Change: 150 feet Duration: Up to 1 hour Difficulty rating: Moderate
Passing through a variety of plant life along the way, including yucca, junipers and prickly-pear cactus, the Kayenta Trail connects the Emerald Pools Trail System to the Grotto Picnic Area.
See on map below.
Observation Point
Distance: 8 miles (round trip) Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 2,148 feet Duration: 5 hours Difficulty rating: Strenuous
Leading to an outcropping that towers 517 feet above Angels Landing, the Observation Point Trail, at an elevation of 6,508 feet, provides one of the best views in Zion National Park. The vista includes well-known rock monoliths such as the Great White Throne, Cable Mountain, Cathedral Mountain, Castle Dome, the Three Patriarchs and the Watchman, located at the far south end of the park. A strenuous path that includes many switchbacks, one of the highlights of the journey is the stroll through Echo Canyon, a scenic slot canyon.
See on map below.
Pa'rus Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles (one-way) Trail type: One-way (ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle back) Elevation Change: 50 feet Duration: 1-1.5 hours Difficulty rating: Easy
Named for a Paiute Indian word meaning “river,” the Pa’rus Trail is an easy, paved path that runs along the Virgin River from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center to the Canyon Junction Shuttle Stop. The trail is the only one in the park that allows bicycles and pets. It traverses a few wooded areas, but mostly passes through open space, which provides excellent views of some of the park’s signature monoliths, including the Watchman, West Temple and the Sentinel. The trail includes many river access points and a spur to the Zion Human History Museum.
See on map below.
Riverside Walk
Distance: 2 miles (round trip) Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 57 feet Duration: 1.5 hours Difficulty rating: Easy
Also known as the Gateway to the Narrows, this easy, paved trail begins at the Temple of Sinawava and parallels the Virgin River. Shaded much of the way, the trail is a spectacular showcase of the park’s diverse plant life, exhibiting everything from ferns to Gypsum Weed. Hikers might also catch a glimpse of wildlife such as mule deer, rock squirrels and tree frogs. The trail ends at the mouth of the Zion Narrows, where adventurous hikers can wade up the river to view one of the park’s most stunning spectacles.
See on map below.
The Watchman
Distance: 2.8 miles (round trip) Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 440 feet Duration: 2 hours Difficulty rating: Moderate
The Watchman Trail ascends to a bluff below Bridge Mountain that provides a spectacular view of lower Zion Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon and Springdale, Zion’s gateway community. The panoramic vista includes notable landmarks such as West Temple, The Sundial, The Beehives, Altar of Sacrifice, the Towers of the Virgin, and, of course, The Watchman. It is best to hike the trail in the early morning or evening to enjoy more colorful hues on the surrounding sandstone and to avoid the sometimes-oppressive daytime heat. The trail begins on a flat path across from the Zion Canyon Visitor Center on the opposite side of the river from the Pa’rus Trail.
See on map below.
Weeping Rock
Distance: 0.5 miles (round trip) Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 98 feet Duration: 0.5 hours Difficulty rating: Easy, but steep
The Weeping Rock Trail leads to a rock overhang where it “rains” year round due to the continuous seepage of water through porous sandstone. In addition to its falling water, the rock features lush, hanging gardens that include ferns, moss and wildflowers such as columbine. Signage identifies and describes native flora along the path. This is an ideal trail for families.
See on map below.
Click on Trail numbers for information
Kolob Canyon Area Hikes
Kolob Arch (LaVerkin Creek Trail)
Distance: 14 miles Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 2,000 feet Duration: 7 hours Difficulty rating: Strenuous
The showcase of this trail is Kolob Arch, a 310-foot span sitting 700 feet above the canyon floor. The trail makes a long day hike or a great overnight backpacking trip. Overnight hikers can camp at one of the 15 designated campsites along the trail (permit required for overnight hikes). The hike begins at the Lee Pass Trailhead, located four miles up the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive from the visitor center. The last two miles of the path before the spur trail to the arch parallel LaVerkin Creek, offering numerous swimming holes where hikers can cool off during the summer. An alternate route to the arch is via Hop Valley, whose trailhead is along the Kolob Terrace Road originating in the town of Virgin.
Middle Fork of Taylor Creek (Taylor Creek Trail)
Distance: 5.4 miles Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 560 feet Duration: 3-4 hours Difficulty rating: Moderate
The best-known trail in Zion’s Kolob Canyons section, the Taylor Creek Trail meanders through a narrow finger canyon, ending at a picturesque double arch alcove, a colorful overhang where water seeps through the rock. The nearly level trail includes two historic cabins. Ambitious hikers might want to take a side trip up the North Fork of Taylor Creek from the Larson Cabin (the trail’s first cabin), which features a viewpoint of Pico Rosado Arch at the base of Horse Ranch Mountain, whose peak is the park’s highest point (8,726 feet in the park). The trail begins at the Taylor Creek Trailhead, located two miles up the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive from the visitor center.
Timber Creek Overlook Trail
Distance: 1 mile Trail type: Up and back Elevation Change: 100 feet Duration: ½ hour Difficulty rating: Easy
This short, paved trail provides views of Kolob Terrace, the Pine Valley Mountains, and Timber Creek. Hikers might also be able to see Arizona’s Mount Trumbull, located 100 miles southwest, on a clear day. An ideal trail for children, the Timber Creek Overlook Trail begins at the end of the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive.
Offering views of some of Zion’s most recognizable landmarks, from Checkerboard Mesa at its beginning to the Great White Throne and Angels Landing at its end, the East Rim Trail leads hikers through some of Zion’s most spectacular backcountry. The hike begins just west of the east entrance station and ends at the Weeping Rock Trailhead, so it is best to leave a car at the trailhead then come back and get it after the hike. Hikers can also make the hike an overnight backpacking trip. One of the highlights of the trail early on is Jolly Gulch, where hikers in the spring might catch a view of a spectacular waterfall.
The Left Fork of North Creek carved a curved tunnel where little sunlight penetrates, giving this hike that requires a little canyoneering expertise its name. Characterized by water-filled potholes, falling water, and narrow canyon walls, the hike requires at least 60 feet of rope, a harness, sturdy hiking shoes, clothing that easily wicks away moisture, a headlamp and a first aid kit. Hikers must trudge through slippery rocks, rappel down some steep drops and swim through several deep pools of cold, debris-filled water. The hike requires a backcountry permit. The Park Service only allows 50 people into the canyon each day. Do not attempt this hike if there is any chance of rain. There is acute danger of flash floods in narrow canyons. To avoid rappelling and swimming, hikers can also hike the route from the bottom up, from the Left Fork Trailhead. The top-down route begins at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead along the Kolob Terrace Road.
Traversing Zion’s interior backcountry from Lava Point (7,460 feet) to the Grotto Picnic Area (4,320 feet), the West Rim Trail is a showcase of the park’s ecological and scenic diversity. The trail begins along the Horse Pasture Plateau, a long, flat finger of sandstone protruding from the Kolob Plateau. It continues downward through pinyon and ponderosa pine forests before descending into the park’s slickrock canyon scenery. It passes the 0.5-mile spur trail to Angels Landing at Scout Lookout before descending through Refrigerator Canyon then into Zion Canyon.
A top choice among adventuresome hikers, the Zion Narrows provides spectacular scenery its entire length, including hanging gardens, lush vegetation, waterfalls, and its signature narrow canyon walls, which shrink to approximately 15 feet wide in some spots. Much of the hike requires walking in the river, which includes slippery rocks throughout and swift current in some places. Sturdy shoes (not sandals) and hiking sticks (one for each hand is desirable) are essentials on the hike, which can be a long day hike or an overnight backpacking trip. There are 12 designated campsites along the way. The hike begins at Chamberlain’s Ranch along the North Fork Road, whose turnoff is approximately 2.4 miles outside the park’s east entrance. The hike ends at the Temple of Sinawava, the northernmost shuttle stop in Zion Canyon. Hikers must have someone drop them off at the trailhead and leave a car at the visitor center or Springdale, or arrange a shuttle through a local outfitter. Hikers must also check the weather before hiking. Flash flooding is a very real possibility in narrow slot canyons. The best times to do the hike are late June and early September, when thunderstorm potential is at a minimum. Hiking the narrows requires a permit, obtainable at the backcountry office connected to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center.
Maps
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