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This very demanding, 13 mile hike introduces visitors to
the wonders of river hiking in Zion's Narrows. After accessing the hike through Zion Ponderosa Ranch's
Orderville Gulch, hikers enter the canyon. The beginning of the canyon is marked by a 125 foot dry fall. At
many times during the year, pools of water line this dry fall. Hikers will continue to descend deep into the
canyon. Within a couple of miles, any noticeable trail has become a stream bed and thousand foot cliffs tower
on both sides of the stream. Orderville Canyon is much more dry than the more populated narrows trail that begins
at Chamberlain's Ranch, so the walking is faster. Hikers must still watch their footing as they traverse the small
stream in the canyon.
Upon crossing into the park, hikers will arrive at a 15 foot drop off. This obstacle must be negotiated with care.
The use of ropes and some down-climbing experience is recommended. This obstacle is one of the reasons that
Orderville Canyon is much less visited than other Narrows hikes.
After 9.7 miles, hikers will reach the confluence of the Orderville Canyon and the North fork of the Virgin
River. The water is much deeper now and remains that way for the remaining three miles of the hike. Wading
and sometimes swimming is necessary ot continue downstream. The water can be quite cold and footing on the
river bottom is very difficult. Hikers must take extreme caution in this part of the hike.
You DO need a permit for this hike. Permits can be obtained from the Visitors
Center at the west entrance of the Park.
This hike begins on the East Mesa trail, 3 miles North of the Echo Canyon trail head. After
a long, beautiful walk (2.5 miles) along the wooded trail, hikers take the scenic one half mile detour to 'The point'.
Observation Point offers a 270 degree panoramic view of Angels Landing, Scout Lookout, the Temple of
Sinawava, and the Virgin River. After returning from the point, hikers soon merge with the switchbacks of the
Echo Canyon trail and the hike ends at Weeping Rock. This lengthy 7 mile hike is demanding but spectacular,
and considered by many to offer the best view in Zion. Hikers will be picked up five hours after beginning the
hike.
These hikes offer visitors some of the most spectacular
views in the Park. Both trails are round trip: they begin at the Echo Canyon drop off point, but rather than
descend to the bottom of Zion Canyon as does the Echo trail, they end at sheer cliffs which overlook the
canyon. Cable Mountain is approximately 8 miles round trip. Visitors will see the remains of the old
bulwarks of a pioneer logging operation that transported lumber 2,200 feet straight down to the canyon floor.
The view from Cable Mountain includes the Great White Throne, Angels Landing, Observation Point, and the
West rim of the Park.
The Deertrap Mountain trail splits from the Cable Mountain trail at the mid point. This trail is apporximately 9
miles round trip and includes views of The Court of the Patriarchs, Twin Brothers, and East Temple. Both of
these hikes end back at the drop off point. Visitors will be picked up five hours after beginning the hike.
This 3 mile hike is accessed through Jolley Gulch
on the ranch. It is easy walking and has one short ascent midway through the hike. After walking for nearly a mile
through the wooded gulch, hikers cross into the Park, then immediately emerge into a spectacular clearing that overlooks
the deep White Cliff Canyon. The trail continues for two more miles, circling into Cave Canyon and Clear Creek wash.
Hikers are offered an unbelievable view of Checkerboard Mesa through most of the hike. The trail ends just opposite the
East entrance of the Ranger station. A shuttle van will meet hikers here, approximately 2.5 hours after beginning
the hike.
Hikers are transported through the ranch, and are dropped off at the Park Fence. This clearly
marked trail head leads into the Echo Canyon trail that spans nearly five miles from start to finish. Echo Canyon
is known for its switchbacks that take hikers on a 2,100 foot descent over the course of the hike. The Echo
Canyon trail has sheer cliffs and impressive views of the Angel's Landing area of the Park. The hike ends at
Weeping Rock, the wall of sandstone that boasts lush vegetation nurtured by a continuous rain that seeps from
the rock. Shuttle service will meet hikers in the Weeping Rock parking lot, four hours after the beginning of the
hike.
