Trail Name:

Summary:
A sandy wash gives easy access to dramatic and exquisitely carved slot canyons, deep in the Utah canyonland wilderness.

From the parking area, cross the dirt road and the dry wash onto the clearly marked, sandy trail. Take heed of the warning sign here: “Flash floods can occur at any time of the year. Canyon is narrow with sheer walls. Know the latest weather forecast and canyon conditions. Emergency response is never rapid.” The deaths of 11 people in Antelope Canyon (near Page) in 1997 attests to the rapid and devastating effect of a flash flood in a slot canyon.

The trail leads through sagebrush to the right of the wash, with low sandstone bluffs to each side. After just a few minutes, pass through a v-shaped gate and bear left, as directed by the sign, into the wash. Now simply follow the wide wash floor, a mixture of deep sand and gravel. Although level, there is no shade, which can make for very hot hiking during the warmer months.

The wash cuts through The Cockscomb, a double row of sandstone fins that stretch north for miles, separating the Grand Staircase from the Kaiparowits Plateau. A mile from the trailhead, the low slopes flanking the wash are replaced by higher sandstone walls and ahead rises an impressive cream-pink cliff. The gradient drops a little, the walls narrow, and you are into the canyon proper.

5 minutes later, the sheer water-carved canyon walls narrow significantly to a width of just 6 ft. Out of the sun, the temperature drops 20°F – wonderfully cool on a hot day. A minute later, the 50 ft high, rippled sandstone walls narrow again to no more than 3 ft. But no sooner are you into this first slot then your way through is stopped by a sheer, 8 ft drop. Some boulders have been piled at the bottom, but do not rely on them to take your weight (when we hiked, some had been knocked over, making them difficult to reach).

If you choose to bypass the drop (as we did), backtrack out of the slot and on your left (the right side of the canyon) find a good place to scramble up the slickrock. Look for a faint sandy path, and you may also see some footprints. Pass to the right of a knoll and slide back down the very steep rock to the canyon floor, just past the first slot.

A couple of minutes later you are into another slot, but with much lower walls this time. Here there is another drop, about 6 ft this time and passable – again there are boulders below but make sure they are stable before you trust your weight to them. And then you enter an extremely narrow, extremely high-walled slot. This one is a truly awesome sight. The sheer, water-sculptured red cliff walls, streaked with black and rising 100 ft (or more), narrow to just a couple of feet.

After a couple of minutes you emerge once more into the sun. The beautiful canyon is wider here, but still surrounded by massive sandstone walls. The sheer cliff on the right is marked by a huge alcove and next to it, on the base of the wall, is a collection of Indian petroglyphs. Just beyond is the confluence with Buckskin Gulch – 1.7 miles from the trailhead.

Turning left or right into rock-strewn Buckskin Gulch will quickly take you into more slots, and you can explore as much as you wish. Turning right, the Buckskin narrows run for over 11 miles to the confluence with the Paria River. Sun can barely filter through the tight, overhanging canyon walls to the rocky floor. You may encounter pools of water or deep mud – even after a long spell of dry weather expect to get your feet wet.

When you are ready to leave, retrace your steps through the Wire Pass slots. If you detoured around the first slot on the way in, venture in on the way back to see if you can scramble up the 8-ft dry fall. There is a 5-ft ledge to negotiate first, easily climbed using two large boulders beneath it. The 8-footer is trickier, but we eventually managed to clamber up (if you are tall and athletic you shouldn’t have too much trouble).

On the return to the trailhead along the open wash, and back out in bright sunlight, reflect on the beauty of this canyon country – green hills contrasting with red sandstone, and total peace and quiet.

Directions: On Hwy 89, travel 30 miles west from Page or 40 miles east from Kanab to the Paria Canyon ranger station (on the left of the highway as you head west). Stop here first for current weather and canyon conditions. Continue west on Hwy 89 for 5 miles.

Trailhead: Just before mile marker 26, where Hwy 89 bends right, turn left onto an unsigned dirt road (passable to all vehicles in dry weather). The Wire Pass parking area is on the right after 8.5 miles (ignore the turnoff to Buckskin Gulch Trailhead after 4.5 miles).

Length: 3.4 miles / 5.4 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: Negligible

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: There is no trail (except for the first few minutes) – simply follow the wash. Some dry falls to negotiate and possible scrambling over steep slickrock.

Features: Dramatic slot canyons, high sandstone cliffs, petroglyphs.

Climate: Best in spring and fall. Thunderstorms make flash floods a real danger in summer. Cold and icy in winter.

Accommodation: Motels in Kanab and Page.

Trail Notes: Rainfall many miles away can trigger a flash flood – always check conditions first and do not enter the slot canyons if there is any chance of rain. Watch out for rattlesnakes in Buckskin Gulch.

Summary:
A slickrock trail through the desert leads to a breathtaking natural arch.

Known to early settlers as ‘Cowboy Chaps’ because of its bowlegged appearance, it stands on the rim of a red rock amphitheater with the stately La Sal Mountains as a backdrop. Your first sight of the arch, as you round the final bend of the trail, is truly breathtaking. Of all the hikes in the world, few can better the reward of seeing Delicate Arch cast in the red glow of a sinking sun.

The trail starts at Wolfe Ranch, the small log cabin in which John Wolfe and his son lived from 1888 to 1910, running a small cattle operation. Here you cross a footbridge over Salt Wash, a haunt of leopard frogs. On both sides of the stream there is dense vegetation, including the rapacious tamarisk, as well as native species such as willow and greaseweed.

After the footbridge, you can detour left down a short unmarked side trail to an Ute petroglyph. The main trail continues ahead past colorful chert boulders and climbs a slickrock humpback, dotted with red-colored dwarf Indian paintbrush and penstemon. Keep looking for the small rock cairns that mark the route.

The last part of the trail has been blasted out from the side of a cliff, and it is this cliff that masks any view of the arch until the final moment. We will deliberately keep the description here brief so as not to spoil the impact – we couldn’t do it justice anyway.

Unless you have set off early, a quiet crowd of people will ring the outside of the amphitheater, gazing at the arch and the white tops of the mountains beyond. As a few approach for a closer look, you may be surprised to see how big it is – 46 ft high, with the ‘knee’ of the left leg 6 ft thick. But the scale of Delicate Arch is not its defining characteristic – that is its aesthetic shape and surroundings. It seems no coincidence that in a place full of arches, fantastic rock formations and strange hoodoos, nature created Delicate Arch apart from the rest and set it on a pedestal.

The return journey is easier, descending along the same trail, although in the heat of a summer’s day it is still thirsty work. But it is worth it. There is a distant view of the arch at a parking area 1.2 miles from Wolfe Ranch along an unpaved road, and many people just stop there, take a photo, and drive away. Unbelievable. If you are able, get out of your car and walk. It’s the only way to properly appreciate Delicate Arch.

Directions: The Park entrance and visitor center are just off US 191, 5 miles north of Moab and 27 miles south of Crescent Junction (I-70 exit 180).

Trailhead: Head along the Park road for 11.7 miles, then turn right onto the 1.2 mile spur road to Wolfe Ranch parking area.

Length: 3 miles / 4.8 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: 480 ft / 146 m

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Clearly marked with cairns. Sandstone slickrock is dangerous – it breaks easily. Stick to the trail.

Features: Natural arch, desert, views of La Sal mountains.

Climate: Extremely hot in summer, with temperatures exceeding 38 C (100 F). Pleasant spring and autumn, and cool in winter with light snowfall.

Accommodation: Camping year-round inside the Park at Devils Garden (first-come, first-served, no water in winter). Plenty of motels in Moab.

Trail Notes: Take plenty of water – the moderate ascent has no shade and is challenging in the heat of summer. This popular trail is best early or late in the day (photography best at sunset, but remember to take a flashlight).

Summary:
A stunning route from the White Cliffs at Zion’s eastern edge to inspirational views of Echo and Zion Canyons.

The trail (signed Stave Spring) continues along the other side of the gulch, with more short stretches of climbing – and more magnificent open views. Gray mesas with hints of tan and pink, and green forested tops – including the distinctive Checkerboard Mesa, the etched geometric pattern on the rock caused by cross-bedding of the sandstone. At around 3 miles a gradual climb carries you to the top of the plateau. The fabulous scenery only gets better as you get higher.

Once atop the forested plateau the views are largely masked. Some brief climbs interspersed with longer level sections take you to the plateau’s high point (6,700 ft) at 4.5 miles. It is now easy walking on a gentle downhill grade as the shrub-covered plateau opens out to reveal Zion’s cliffs in the distance. In 0.5 mile pass Stave Spring on the left and continue ahead to the first trail junction two minutes later. Turn right to stay on East Rim Trail (left leads to Cable and Deertrap Mountains). A few minutes of easy walking through pine and oak and the path divides again: take the left fork, signed Echo Canyon Trail.

The narrow path heads north-west through a wide expanse of sagebrush to the forested plateau rim, where Echo Canyon falls steeply away. Tree cover limits the view as you follow the rim, but after five minutes a very short path to the left leads to the cliff edge and a superb panorama over Echo Canyon. Massive white cliffs tinged with pink and beige dominate, and beyond them to the west rises Zion Canyon’s Cathedral Mountain. Continuing along the rim, the tree cover gives way to more open views of the majestic canyon walls.

At 6 miles the steep descent into Echo Canyon begins, accompanied by splendid canyon views as you switchback down the rugged trail. Within 0.5 mile the now sandy path drops into tall pines, and a couple of minutes later the forested canyon vista to the right is surpassed by a simply magnificent view to the left. A bare slab here makes another great place to stop a while and soak up the scene (see main picture).

For the next mile the descent eases as you wind through the beautiful canyon, surrounded by impressive forested cliffs. The route, over sand and slickrock, is marked by cairns in places. High walls of cross-bedded sandstone rise to either side: imposing gray cliffs to the left and checkered red bluffs to the right. The route then becomes more undulating, and you climb up and down rock slabs to the closest views yet of the white cliffs of Zion Canyon (a mere taster of what is to follow). At 8 miles, a short climb leads to the Observation Point junction.

The 2-mile (one way) trail to Observation Point atop East Mesa turns off sharp right. Although it is hard work, this is a must-do detour, with incredible views over Echo and Zion Canyons all the way (and not just at Observation Point itself). Twenty minutes of steep, hot climbing up smooth switchbacks, with magnificent views over Echo as ample compensation, take you to the first, amazing view over Zion Canyon. Far below lies the Virgin River, surrounded by the most wonderful pink and white cliffs, including Cathedral Mountain rising majestically behind Angels Landing.

Constant, spectacular Zion Canyon views are the reward as you continue along switchbacks cut into the bare rock-face. As the Great White Throne and Cable Mountain loom to the left, the gradient steepens. Soon oak saplings and fir line the trail, although the views continue through gaps in the trees. Eventually the slope gives way to the flatter ground of the East Mesa top and, a few minutes after passing another wonderful viewpoint right down Zion Canyon, the trail divides: turn left for Observation Point, now less than 0.4 mile away.

Thick vegetation momentarily blocks the canyon from view, but soon you approach the rocky edge of Observation Point (elev. 6,508 ft). Looking down the canyon from this high point, Angels Landing is far beneath you. You can also see some way up the canyon, but take care at the sheer edge as you wander round the rocky promontory for the best position. When you are ready, retrace your steps back down to the junction, enjoying the magnificent canyon views all over again.

There are just 2 miles left, but the final 1,300 ft of descent may be hard on the knees after a long day. The trail winds down past Echo’s intricately carved, high cliffs and slot canyons. Eventually you round a mammoth cliff and emerge from Echo high above the floor of Zion Canyon. Opposite is Angels Landing (now above you) and the Organ Pipe, creating a horseshoe bend in the Virgin River.

Now into the final mile, descend the long series of switchbacks that take you to the canyon floor, savoring the close-up views of Zion’s huge Navajo sandstone cliffs. Keep right at the Hidden Canyon junction and soon the massive alcove of Weeping Rock, a popular “attraction” in the canyon, comes into sight. It will no doubt be filled with people, tiny figures from this distance. It is a sharp contrast to the peace of East Rim, another factor that makes this hike so special.

The trail ends at the now disused parking area beneath Weeping Rock. It is just a short walk from here to the shuttle bus stop.

Directions: I-15 exit 27, then Routes 17 and 9 through Springdale and the south entrance of the Park, passing the visitor center on the right. Ignore the scenic drive through Zion Canyon on the left, and head through the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel.

Trailhead: Continue east for 7 miles beyond the tunnel. Just before the east entrance station, turn left down a short gravel road to the small trailhead parking area (elev. 5,750 ft). The trail ends at the Weeping Rock area on the floor of Zion Canyon (elev. 4,360 ft). Zion Canyon Transportation (tel. 1-877-635-5993) runs early morning hiker shuttles to the east entrance from the Park visitor center in Springdale, $15 per person. Frequent free Park shuttles run from Weeping Rock back to the visitor center.

Length: 14 miles / 22.4 km

Trail Type: One way

Elevation Change: -1,390 ft / -424 m
1,900 ft/579 m ascent, 3,290 ft/1,003 m descent.

Duration: 7.5 hours

Trail Condition: Clear and well marked. Sandy in places (particularly early on), with some long, steep stretches (up and down) and sheer drop-offs.

Features: Sandstone cliffs and mesas, magnificent canyon views.

Climate: Cooler at higher elevations (6,000-7,000 ft) – snow is possible in early spring and late fall. Hot with greater chance of thunderstorms in summer. Warms up noticeably as you drop into the canyons, sheltered from the breeze atop the plateau.

Accommodation: Plenty of motels and a private campground in Springdale. Two campgrounds inside the Park just beyond the south entrance.

Trail Notes: Bypassing the spectacular section to Observation Point will reduce the overall hike by 4 miles and 850 ft of ascent/descent. Carry plenty of water (4 liters per person per day) – do not rely on Stave Spring as the supply here often dries up. Topographic maps available at the visitor center.

Summary:
A desert hike past stone pillars and petrified geysers to a high point with far-reaching views of Kodachrome Basin.

You soon reach the first formations – red stone pillars of Entrada sandstone that resemble the ruins of an ancient city. Pass the distinctive spire known as Ballerina Slipper and continue on, ta

Summary:
A rim trail leading to spectacular viewpoints of colored sandstone formations and canyons carved into the Cedar Breaks amphitheater.

After following the canyon rim for 0.5 mile, the trail curves to the right and a short spur takes you along a ridge and past a stand of bristlecone pine to Spectre Point. From here you have great views into the canyons that make up the Cedar Breaks amphitheater.

Return to the trail and continue along the rim, descending 300 ft or so via switchbacks. Once the trail straightens, another 0.5 mile will take you to a second magnificent viewpoint. Take your time, soak up the views, then retrace your steps back to your starting point.

If you feel like some more hiking, drive further along the scenic road to the Chessman Ridge overlook. Here is the trailhead for the 2-mile Alpine Pond Loop Trail, which, as its name suggests, leads through meadows and forest to a small pond.

Directions: From Cedar City, take Route 14 for 18 miles, then north on Route 148 for 4 miles to the south entrance. Alternatively, you can enter the National Monument from the north along Route 143.

Trailhead: Visitor center parking lot, 1 mile from the south entrance.

Length: 3 miles / 4.8 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: -400 ft / -122 m
Ascent on return.

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Clearly defined.

Features: Canyon views, sandstone hoodoos.

Climate: Deep snow in winter – the road through Cedar Breaks is usually closed from mid-October to end of May.

Accommodation: Camping available in the National Monument from June to mid-September. There are other campsites within the surrounding Dixie National Forest. Plenty of motels in Cedar City, and lodging also available just north of Cedar Breaks in Brian Head town.

Trail Notes: Be aware of high altitude – Cedar Breaks is more than 10,000 ft above sea level.

Summary:
A combination of three of Bryce Canyon’s finest trails, offering close-up views of hoodoos and other formations.

From the trailhead, proceed down either side of the Navajo loop. The right path descends via a series of switchbacks through Wall Street, a narrow track with huge sandstone walls either side; the left passes the Twin Bridges. Both are good, giving close-up views of formations before passing into more open, forested areas, and are pretty much equal distance to the junction.

From the four-way junction, take the 0.3 mile spur to Peekaboo. This 3 mile loop is a horse and hiking trail that travels through the Peekaboo box canyon and past magnificent formations with names such as the Cathedral, the Wall of Windows, the Alligator and Fairy Castle. Set off early and you will find peace and solitude, as well as wonderful views.

On completing the loop, retrace your steps along the spur and take the track leading to the Queens Garden (from this point, it is a little under 2 miles to Sunrise Point on the rim). The trail is level at first but, after about 0.5 mile, the 500 ft climb out of the canyon begins. You pass many wonderfully colored formations and bristlecone pine. A short spur leading to the Queen Victoria formation marks the start of the 0.8 mile Queens Garden Trail to Sunrise Point.

Although beautiful, beware – if you make an early start to enjoy Navajo and Peekaboo without too many others, by the time you reach Queens Garden Trail you will undoubtedly have to share it with a pretty hefty crowd. Queens Garden is the easiest trail for a close look of the hoodoos and lots of people walk down it, or combine it with Navajo to make a 3 mile loop. Consequently it is extremely busy, and quite a shock to the system after the peace and quiet of Peekaboo.

From Sunrise Point, it is a 0.5 mile stroll along the Rim Trail, passing Thor’s Hammer as you go, to Sunset Point.

Directions: From Hwy 89, take SR 12 east for 14 miles, then 63 south for 4 miles.

Trailhead: Continue beyond the Park entrance for just over a mile, then take the short spur road to Sunset Point. The Navajo Trail is a short walk from the parking lot.

Length: 7 miles / 11.2 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 800 ft / 244 m

Duration: 4.5 hours

Trail Condition: Well defined.

Features: Sandstone formations, hoodoos, canyon views.

Climate: Warm days April through October, with thunderstorms in summer. Cold in winter, with snow covering the sandstone formations and far fewer people.

Accommodation: Inside the Park there are two campgrounds and cabins at Bryce Canyon Lodge. There is a motel just outside the Park entrance, but it is often full with tour groups. Plenty of other motels in nearby communities of Hatch, Panguitch and Tropic.

Trail Notes: Be aware of altitude – trail is 7,000-8,000 feet above sea level.

Summary:
Descend into a world of coral pink hoodoos and fantastic sandstone formations.

As you hike the Fairyland Loop, especially if you start at sunrise, you will be taken into an enchanted wonderland that will fill your senses and imagination. As the sun climbs higher in the clear sky the hoodoos change hue and glow. The breathtaking views become almost kaleidoscopic, changing with every step as you pass pinyon-juniper forests and ancient bristlecone pines.

The trail descends from the parking lot into Fairyland Canyon, one of the amphitheaters carved into the Pink Cliffs that make up Bryce Canyon National Park, and loops around a huge sandstone form called Boat Mesa. At one point, you cross a ridge, giving magnificent views into Fairyland Canyon on one side and Campbell Canyon on the other. These other-worldly views, of pink sandstone spires stretching into the distance, continue as you carry on along the trail – views so fantastic you will certainly want to linger.

After 4 miles, a short spur on the left takes you to Tower Bridge. Return to the main trail and continue towards the Chinese Wall to your left. The views, peace and quiet are mesmerizing, and you will not want the trail to end. But your time in the canyon is coming to a close, and soon you start the climb out to the rim. It is pretty hard in the heat of the day, so be sure to take plenty of water. On reaching the top, it is a 2.7 mile/4.1 km hike back along the Rim Trail to the car-choked parking lot at Fairyland Point, enjoying the fantastic views into the canyon as you go.

It is definitely advisable to start this hike early to enjoy it to the full. We began at 7 am, and at that time the trail was practically deserted – we saw barely another person until we reached the Rim Trail. Fairyland Loop gets less use than others in the Park (perhaps because Fairyland Point is before the entrance station, so some people miss it), but given the numbers of people that flock to Bryce Canyon, this still makes for a popular trail in the middle of the day.

Directions: From Hwy 89, take SR 12 east for 14 miles, then 63 south for 3 miles.

Trailhead: Take the road on the left, about a mile before you reach the Park entrance station, to the parking area at Fairyland Point.

Length: 8.3 miles / 13.3 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 900 ft / 274 m

Duration: 5 hours

Trail Condition: Clearly defined.

Features: Sandstone formations, hoodoos, magnificent canyon views, bristlecone pine.

Climate: Warm days April through October, with thunderstorms in summer. Cold in winter, with snow covering the sandstone formations and far fewer people.

Accommodation: Inside the Park there are two campgrounds and cabins at Bryce Canyon Lodge. There is a motel just outside the Park entrance, but it is often full with tour groups. Plenty of other motels in nearby communities of Hatch, Panguitch and Tropic.

Trail Notes: Be aware of altitude – trail is 7,000-8,000 feet above sea level.

Summary:
An exciting trail that climbs steeply to the top of a promontory overlooking Zion Canyon, with long sheer drops on three sides.

The trail was constructed in 1926, and the difficulties faced are evident as you reach ‘Walters Wiggles’, 21 switchbacks cut into the rock. The reward on reaching the top are the wonderful views from Scout Lookout – below, the Virgin River snakes its way through the green valley floor surrounded by a line of immense mountainous cliffs.

At the trail junction proceed right (south). There is still another 0.5 mile and 500 ft of climb to the top of Angels Landing. The trail is now much steeper and more rugged, and involves scrambling and climbing up the cliff. In places the trail is extremely narrow, with sheer drops on each side. At one point a narrow ledge takes you across a 1500 ft vertical drop to the canyon floor. Although chains have been fixed for safety, it is not suitable if you are afraid of heights.

This exciting climb leads to the summit of Angels Landing, a promontory jutting out into Zion Canyon with sheer 1,500 ft drops on each side. The views of the Canyon from all directions are simply spectacular.

Be aware that this trail is popular, and bottlenecks can occur on the steep climb along the chains as it is possible for only one person to pass at a time. We would recommend starting this hike very early in the morning to enjoy it without the crowds.

Directions: I-15 exit 27, eight miles on route 17, then route 9 through Virgin and Rockville to Springdale, just outside the south entrance of Zion National Park.

Trailhead: From the visitor center, take the shuttle bus through Zion Canyon to the stop at Grotto picnic area.

Length: 5 miles / 8.0 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: 1,488 ft / 454 m

Duration: 4 hours

Trail Condition: Clearly defined. Final climb is very steep with some scrambling.

Features: Stunning views from a high cliff over Zion Canyon.

Climate: Extremely hot in summer.

Accommodation: Plenty of motels and a private campground in Springdale. Inside the Park, two campgrounds just beyond the south entrance, and Zion Lodge along the Zion Canyon scenic drive.

Trail Notes: Last part of the trail climbs a steep, narrow ridge with long drop-offs. Chains have been fixed in places, but take care if fearful of heights.

Summary:
A long trail along the East Rim plateau that forks to reach two mountain tops, each offering magnificent views of Zion Canyon.

The trail (signed Stave Spring) continues along the other side of the gulch, with more short stretches of climbing – and more magnificent open views. Gray mesas with hints of tan and pink, and green forested tops – including the distinctive Checkerboard Mesa, the etched geometric pattern on the rock caused by cross-bedding of the sandstone. At 3 miles a gradual climb carries you to the top of the plateau. The fabulous scenery only gets better as you get higher.

Once atop the forested plateau the views are largely masked. Some brief climbs interspersed with longer level sections take you to the plateau’s high point (6,700 ft) at 4.5 miles. It is now easy walking on a gentle downhill grade as the shrub-covered plateau opens a little to reveal Zion’s cliffs in the distance. In 0.5 mile pass Stave Spring on the left and continue ahead to the first trail junction two minutes later.

Leaving the East Rim Trail, turn left (signed Cable Mountain 3 miles, Deertrap 4 miles) and climb south-west to another trail junction a mile or so later. You are now at 6,850 ft.

The right fork leads to the edge of the plateau on Cable Mountain. This involves a descent, gradual at first, of 400 ft (yes, another 400 ft to climb on the return). You will see the remains of the old cable system that was used in the late nineteenth century to lower the timber logged on the plateau into Zion Canyon. The end of the trail brings a great reward – magnificent views into the canyon, including Cathedral Mountain, Angels Landing and Observation Point.

The left fork heads across undulating open ground to Deertrap Mountain. It is a bit of a slog with nothing much to see along the way. But just as you think you will never reach it, there you are on the rim, with Zion Canyon 2,000 ft below. Again the view is breathtaking, with the Court of the Patriarchs prominent before you. From here, a trail leads north along the rim for 0.5 mile, allowing you to savor the spectacle before retracing your steps.

Directions: I-15 exit 27, then Routes 17 and 9 through Springdale and the south entrance of the Park, passing the visitor center on the right. Ignore the scenic drive through Zion Canyon on the left, and head through the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel. (If travelling from Bryce Canyon, take route 89 south to Mt Carmel Junction, then route 9 east for 15 miles).

Trailhead: Continue east for 7 miles beyond the tunnel. Just before the east entrance station, turn left down a short gravel road to the small trailhead parking area (elev. 5,750 ft).

Length: 18 miles / 28.8 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: 1,100 ft / 335 m

Duration: 8 hours

Trail Condition: Clear and easy to follow, junctions well marked.

Features: Cliff and canyon views.

Climate: Cooler than the canyon at these higher elevations (6,000-7,000 ft). Possible snow in spring and fall. Warm and greater chance of thunderstorms in summer.

Accommodation: Lodging available at Mt Carmel Junction. Plenty of motels and a private campground in Springdale. Two campgrounds inside the Park near the south entrance.

Trail Notes: Carry plenty of water (4 liters per person per day) – do not rely on Stave Spring as the supply here often dries up. Topographic maps available at the visitor center.

Summary:
A steep trail carved into a cliff next to the Great White Throne, an imposing feature of Zion Canyon.

After 0.6 mile you reach a junction. The strenuous trail to Observation Point bears left, but you turn right onto yet more switchbacks climbing between Cable Mountain and the Great White Throne.

The trail is carved into the cliff, with long drop-offs in places. If you are afraid of heights, the sight of the narrow trail hugging the cliff face may be enough to persuade you to turn back!

In 0.5 mile you reach the mouth of Hidden Canyon, a long, narrow gully strewn with boulders. The trail ends at the entrance of this side canyon, but you can scramble beyond the trail for another 0.5 mile or so.

Observation Point
To reach this magnificent viewpoint atop East Mesa involves a strenuous climb: the ascent from the Weeping Rock trailhead is 2,148 ft/655 m, and it will take around six hours for the 8 mile/12.8 km return trip. For this reason, we prefer to include it as part of the stunning East Rim Trail, as this way there is only an additional climb of 850 ft/259 m. And what a climb it is, with constant, breathtaking views of Echo and Zion Canyons, including the Great White Throne, Cable Mountain and Angels Landing.

Directions: I-15 exit 27, eight miles on Route 17, then Route 9 through Virgin and Rockville to Springdale and the south entrance of the Park. The visitor center is just beyond the south entrance station.

Trailhead: Weeping Rock. From the visitor center, take one of the free, frequent shuttle buses through Zion Canyon to the stop at Weeping Rock.

Length: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: 850 ft / 259 m

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Easy to follow. Steep switchbacks with long drop-offs in places.

Features: Sandstone cliffs, canyon views.

Climate: Extremely hot in summer.

Accommodation: Plenty of motels and a private campground in Springdale. Inside the Park, two campgrounds just beyond the south entrance, and Zion Lodge along the scenic drive.

Trail Notes: Part of the trail consists of a narrow path cut into the sheer cliff-face, with long drop-offs – not for those afraid of heights.