Canyon Name: KeyHole Canyon (Middle and Lower)
Class:WCCM rating 4B I
Gear: WCCM layers, 3 – 60′ rope, 20′ webbing, 3 rappel rings, dry bags, headlamp, self-rescue gear. Permits from the Zion N.P. Visitors Center. Please note the longest rappel in bold below and the rope lengths mentioned above serve as the WCCM rule of thumb of bringing 3 times the longest rappel of rope into any canyon route.
Expected Time Commitment:
For a solid team, car to car 1 – 3 hours
Technical Obstacles:
Rappels and swims up to 60′, awkward starts, possible swimming disconnects
Non Technical Obstacles:
Long swim at the end. Heat on the approach cold in the canyon with frigid water temps.
Recommended Time of Year:
Spring, Summer or Fall. Never during the threat of Flash Floods.
Finding the Trailhead:
Take Hwy 9 up through the Zion Tunnel then through a second small tunnel. The parking area is 1.9 miles East of that small tunnel and or 2.1 miles West of the East entrance. There will be a large paved turn out on the right if you are driving from the tunnels up. The drainage that runs under the road is Key hole Canyon.
The Approach:
Walk the road East for about a 1/4 mile up and around a corner. (watch for cars that aren’t looking at the road) Cut Left off the road up a slick rock slab up along a beautiful slick rock bowl to an obvious ridge line. Follow the obvious trail down a gully on the left below the ridge/ pass. (You will know that you are on the right path by identifying the large Hoodoo that is in the center of the of the pass / ridge. Stay left of that Hoodoo and follow the obvious trail)
The Canyon Descent:
Follow the tight awkward water course though a fun narrows section that has several small down climbs and deep wades. After a short while that slot opens up. walk across the ope area to find a large lone pine that may or may not have webbing attached. Look left down “the keyhole” into a darker slot. anchor off the tree and descent
Rappel #1 60′ off tree, or 30 feet off bolts on left just inside the 2nd slot
Rappel #2 25′ off log or 10′ off pinch point in the water course.
Rappel #3 35′ off bolt
Rappel #4 35′ rappel off single (loose) bolt.
Pack up the ropes and get ready for a few down climbs a a long swim at the finish.
Egress:
Follow the water course back to the cars deep wading and down climbing to the sunshine.
