We encourage you to watch the ATS produced film below from a trip to the Sterling Rope Company’s factory in Biddeford, Maine. Sterling Rope Co. is the industry leader in producing rope and sewn products for canyoneering.

This video shows the process for construction of a climbing rope, but the same process holds true for canyoneering ropes, just with a different sheath fiber and braid pattern. Most canyoneering ropes contain a Technora or Polyester sheath. Technora is a para-aramid fiber in the same family as Kevlar and Twaron. Para-aramids have an outstanding strength-to-weight ration. You have probably heard of Kevlar before and know of it as the material that protects people from bullets. In the same manner, technora does a great job protecting canyon ropes from bullets sharp edges and other forms of abrasion.

“Off the spool” Canyoneering Rope Strengths:
TPR: 5703 pounds
HTP: 5058 pounds
Canyon Tech: 6655 pounds
Canyon IV: 4652 pounds

We specify “off the spool” strength because as soon as you tie knots and hitches into your rope, the overall strength begins to diminish. (see %’s below)

How should I store my rope?
Store your rope in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Inspect your rope after each use for core shots and impacted sheath strands.

How should I clean my rope?
Use “rope wash” or a mild soap mixed in water. Or, just rinse off your rope. Canyoneering rope is designed to get wet so a good spray will usually do the trick.

Is my rope safe if it is fuzzing up?
Yes. As the technora and polyester sheath on a canyoneering rope wears away, you will begin to see fuzzy parts of the rope. If the rope has been used correctly (e.g. not towing a car), then it is considered safe to use until the core is exposed (core shot). At that point, you can either retire the rope by cutting it up and throwing it away, or you can tape the core shot and cut it out of the rope. Obviously, the durability where the fuzz occurs has begin to decrease so care should be taken to keep that section from running directly over sharp edges.

If I run out of webbing in a canyon, can I use my rope as an anchor?
Absolutely. Rope is very strong as illustrated above. You can cut your rope up all you want if the situation should arise. Be aware that without tape, your rope will likely fuzz out at the end.

How much strength does my rope lose when I tie it into a knot or hitch?
NO Knot 0%
Double Fisherman’s 30%%
Bowline 25%%
Water Knot 40%%
Figure 8 25%
Clove Hitch 40%
Fisherman’s 40%
Overhand 40%

The Yosemite Decimal System, or YDS, is a three-part system for rating the difficulty of walks, hikes, and climbs, used for mountaineering primarily in the United States and Canada. The Class 5 portion of its Class scale is the primary rock climbing classification system used in those locales.

Originally a single-part classification system, Grade and Protection Rating categories were added to the YDS in recent years. The new classifications do not apply to every climb and usage varies widely.

When a route also involves aid climbing, its unique Aid designation can be appended to the YDS free climbing rating. For example, The North America Wall on El Capitan would be classed “VI, 5.8, A5″.

YDS class

The system was initially developed as the Sierra Club grading system in the 1930s to classify hikes and climbs in the Sierra Nevada. Previously, these were described relative to others. For example Z is harder than X but easier than Y. This primitive system was difficult to learn for those who did not yet have experience of X or Y. The club adapted a numerical system of classification that was easy to learn and which seemed practical in its application.

Guidebooks often append some number of stars to the YDS rating, to indicate a climb’s overall “quality” (how “fun” or “worthwhile” the climb is). This “star ranking” is unrelated to the YDS system, and varies from guidebook to guidebook.

The system now divides all hikes and climbs into five classes: The exact definition of the classes is somewhat controversial.

• Class 1: Walking with a low chance of injury.
• Class 2: Simple scrambling, with the possibility of occasional use of the hands. Little potential danger is encountered.
• Class 3: Scrambling with increased exposure. A rope can be carried but is usually not required. Falls are not always fatal.
• Class 4: Simple climbing, with exposure. A rope is often used. Natural protection can be easily found. Falls may well be fatal.
• Class 5: Technical free climbing involving rope, belaying, and other protection hardware for safety. Un-roped falls can result in severe injury or death.

The original intention was that the classes would be subdivided decimally, so that a class 4.5 route would be a scramble halfway between 4 and 5. Class 5 was subdivided in the 1950s. Initially it was based on ten climbs of Tahquitz Rock in Idyllwild, California, and ranged from the “Trough” at 5.0, a relatively modest technical climb, to the “Open Book” at 5.9, considered at the time the most difficult unaided climb humanly possible. This system was developed by members of the Rock Climbing Section of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Increased standards and improved equipment meant that class 5.9 climbs in the 1960s became only of moderate difficulty for some. Rather than reclassify all climbs each time standards improved, additional classes were added. It soon became apparent that an open-ended system was needed and further classes of 5.11, 5.12, etc. were added. It was later determined that the 5.11 climb was much harder than 5.10, leaving many climbs of varying difficulty bunched up at 5.10. To solve this, the scale has been further subdivided above the 5.9 mark with suffixes from “a” to “d”. As of 2005, several climbs are widely agreed to have a 5.15a difficulty. Akira, climbed by Fred Rouhling, is claimed to be a 9b (French grade) which translates to YDS 5.15b. Chilam Balam climbed by Bernabé Fernández was rated as 9b+ or 5.15c YDS. Both are controversial.

The original Sierra Club grading system also had a Class 6, for artificial, or aid climbing. This sort of climbing uses ropes and other equipment where progress is made by climbing directly on equipment placed in or on the rock and not the rock itself. Class 6 is no longer widely used. Today aid climbing uses a separate scale from A0 through A5.

Classification of climbs between indoor gym, sport and traditional climbing can also vary quite a bit depending on location and history.

YDS grade

The YDS grade system involves an optional Roman numeral grade that indicates the length and seriousness of the route. The grades are:

• Grade I: One to two hours of climbing.
• Grade II: Less than half a day.
• Grade III: Half a day climb.
• Grade IV: Full day climb.
• Grade V: Two day climb.
• Grade VI: Multi-day climb.
• Grade VII: A climb lasting a week or longer.

The Grade is more relevant to mountaineering and big wall climbing, and often not stated when talking about short rock climbs.

YDS protection rating

An optional protection rating indicates the spacing and quality of the protection available for a well-equipped and skilled leader. The letter codes chosen were, at the time, identical to the American system for rating the content of movies:

• G: Good, solid protection.
• PG: Pretty good, few sections of poor or non-existent placements.
• R: Runout, some protection placements may be very far apart (possibility of broken bones, even when properly protected).
• X: No protection, extremely dangerous (possibility of death even when properly protected).

The G and PG ratings are often left out as they are typical of normal, everyday climbing. R and X climbs are usually noted as a caution to the unwary leader. Application of protection ratings varies widely from area to area and from guidebook to guidebook.

See WCCM Canyoneering Rating System

Class: 4 B III

Gear: WCCM layers Some exposure to water, Rope: 1 – 165′, 2 – 120′, 50′ webbing, 4 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 of 6, car to car 5-7 hours (Not including car shuttle)

Technical Obstacles: Several long rappels, Stuck rope on worn groves in the sandstone, route finding in canyon towards the end.

Non Technical Obstacles: Heat on the approach cold in the canyon, Car shuttle, Some route finding to the start. USE A MAP! From time to time parties Spry canyon and enter into Lodge canyon and or get lost. If you are not sure… go back!

Recommended Time of Year: Spring, Summer  (early start) or Fall. Never during Flash Flood threats.

Finding the Trailhead: Drive  east on Hwy 9 from the main canyon junction. Drop your first car where the road crosses Pine Creek (first bridge you come to), Continue with second car up the switch backs towards the tunnel, There will be plenty of spots for you to pull over, look North and locate the exit boulder field and even spot the final 100′ rappel. This size up will help you with your time management. Continue through the tunnel then drive .3 miles to where Pine Creek crosses under Hwy 9.

The Approach: Hike up Pine Creek proper, You will know this creek bed by its wide sandy wash which runs North. Walk the creek bed for 15 minutes until the wall start to close in some. Look Left for a steep 4th class way to safely climb the slickrock waterway. Head up and right until you reach a large bench (not the kind you sit on) follow the bench Northwest until you reach a large slickrock bowl located beneath Deertrap Mountain. Route find your way up the center of the bowl up then right to the top of a pass. From the top of the pass look West, then avert the eyes up and Left. Now you will need to identify several peaks starting Left and then counting to the right. Left most peak is East Temple peak, then the upper bowl of Spry Canyon, the Twin Brothers, a notch between the Twin Brothers, then on the far right a ridge leading up to Deertrap Mountain. Remember this sequence is looking left to right. Once you establish West, look left then count the features listed above heading right (North). From this high point in the pass go down and slightly right towards the large slot pass mentioned above, you will see the beginning of a narrow slot which cuts across the slope below. Find a way to get into that slot trying to avoid the bushy sections, this slot will empty you out into the main bowl of Spry Canyon. At this point think, “what would the water do”?

The Canyon Descent: Work down canyon until you reach an obvious bowl, down climb partway into the bowl staying canyon left to a set of bolts. Rappel 1: 165, continue down canyon. There will numerous rappels and down climbs. Of particular interest will be a set of bolts canyon Left where the rope pulls from previous parties have scored the rock badly. You will need to find a good place to rig your ropes and conduct a test pull before you commit or you’ll be re-ascending to rework the system. Follow a dark sandy hallway to the next drop. a fallen slab of rock is the anchor, if you drop into this section there will be a deep pool you will need to navigate then climb out of and continue through a tight notch to its base. Of you get into that pool and pull the ropes you will have very limited (if any) anchor options. A test pull is recommended here as well. The alternative will be to up climb a super sandy slab to a large pine tree, rappel from this tree down a crazy loose dirty notch to the base of the next room. Test pull this station as well. a few more drops will lead you to the final area where route finding can be tricky. Basically, go where the water would go and you’ll be good. The alternative is to traverse out Right on a simi-sloping ledge, locate a sketchy anchor (2007) and rap from there. Follow the creek bed down through the large rock piles until you realize you are on the South facing slope you sized up from the swithback road below the tunnel. Take you time downclimbing and route finding until you pop out on top the last 100′ rappel. A solid tree will be the anchor. From there work down slope and right until you hit Pine Creek.

The Egress:Follow Pine Creek back to the Masonry  bridge where the 1st car is parked.

Class: 5 B IV or V if you bring overnight gear you’ll use it. Start early and stay on it! You can walk the Narrows in the dark.

Gear: WCCM layers notoriously cold, dark and long exposure to water, Rope: 1 – 180′, 1 – 140′ (for insurance against a stuck or damaged rope save one 140′piece for the last rappel), 2 – 60′ rope, 80′ webbing, 10 rappel rings, dry bags, headlamp, pothole escape training and gear, 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 of 6, car to tram 12-14 hours

Technical Obstacles: 50 + Rappels and swims up to 180′, class 5 pothole escapes to include hooking, pack toss, partner assist upclimbs, awkward rappel starts, bad anchors, swimming disconnects, stuck ropes, some route finding for the start. If you have not been through Imlay it is advisable to go with some one who has to help ensure good time management. Don’t think you can think your way through the lower sections. You will need to seek professional training and practice under supervision of someone who knows what there doing.

Non Technical Obstacles: Route finding for the drive in, Heat on the approach cold in the canyon with frigid water temps, Long walk out the Narrows after a long canyon run, Long car shuttle on”impassable when wet” dirt roads. Difficult route finding to the start. USE A MAP! From time to time parties drop into the wrong drainage and require a rescue. If you are not sure… go back!

Recommended Time of Year: Spring after the snow melt and if you want to freeze, Summer or Fall. Never during Flash Flood threats.

Finding the Trailhead: Ask around the town of Springdale for either a car shuttle ($.$$) or a map to Lava Point. Give yourself about 50 minutes to do the drive, and or camp in the designated camping area near Lava Point. (More info on that at the visitors center back country desk). You will park at the West Rim Trailhead parking area.

Side note: Don’t hike from the bottom up, it takes way to long and you’ll want the energy in canyon. There is nothing sneaky about “The Sneak Route”. It takes as much or longer not to mention the increased possibility getting lost> This route requires more time/energy than running the canyon from the top down. The land abuse the sneak route is causing isn’t worth the hurt reputation of sport in the Park Services eyes. Good rope/teamwork will have you through the upper section in a comparable timeframe to the other published options out there.

The Approach: You will love this. Get a pre-sunrise start and walk what may be the flattest trail in the world for about 2 (fast) hours. (5.1 miles) towards the end the trail will wander downhill into a green meadow at the bottom of which a small trail will spur off Left to a small pond. This is Potato Hollow. You will see Imlay Canyon to your East. Walk the Left rim of Imlay for about 600′ keeping and eye out for the rappel anchors. Set off a pair of pine trees 30′ down from the rim.

The Canyon Descent:

Rappel 1: 140 From a pine tree to a Pine tree
Rappel: 2 130′ From a pine tree into the creek itself

Rappel 3: 120′ From logs past several pools passing and old piton.

Hike down canyon through several lightly brushed in spots, when you reach a large (dry) pourover climb up a steep earth slope then down to a small pine tree with webbing.

Rappel 4:  120′ From small pine tree with webbing PASSING a large pine tree with more webbing to a nicely bolted stance.

Rappel 5: 175′ From bolted stance down to a large exposed ridge.

Down climb then rappel this ridge by walking east away from the headwall just rappelled and find a small tree to rap 35′ on back into the main waterway. Don’t bother following the watercourse even though there is an anchor down in the hole. Continue down canyon rappelling and down climbing  several small drops. the pools will get deeper and deeper as you go. Suit up when you don’t wish to get any wetter. There will be a series of rappels into water, each pool getting deeper. After this series the canyon will open up into wide creek bed. After about 3-5 minutes of this wider section following the water course the drainage will slot up again. Instead of running the slot  you can bypass it by walking the slick rock slabs on the Left then carefully down climbing and overhanging chimney into the great room of the Crossroads. From here the canyon will quickly narrow up and you will begin the first for two technical sections responsible for making Imlay famous. Work through the first section of extreme narrows using teamwork, ropework and all your pothole escape training / tricks. After a few hours the canyon opens up again before closing down on you for the last most technical section. many pothole escapes and rebelay techniques will lead you to the last 140′ rappel into the Narrows. Bag the ropes and walk the Narrows back to the Temple of Sinawava estimated egress  2 hours.

The Egress: Bag the ropes and walk the Narrows back to the Temple of Sinawava ETA  2 hours

Class: 5BIII upclimbing (5.2) Orderville, or 4BIV if descending Orderville into the Narrows.

Gear: WCCM layers for colder weather, 1 – 300′, 2 – 120′ & 1 – 60′ rope, 70′ webbing, 8 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 do not meet the WCCM rule of thumb which suggests to bring 3 times the longest rappel of rope into any canyon route. With certain exceptions regarding rope management this rule can be negated. The longest drop after the 300′er is 120′ and its the last in the technical section.

Expected Time Commitment: For a solid team, 6 – 10 hours

Technical Obstacles: Large 300′ + rappel which has been the scene of numerous accident. Set your friction high and or be trained on how to add friction mid decent. Rappels and swims up to 120′, awkward starts, compromised natural anchors and possible stuck ropes in more than one spot, Long class 3 descent of orderville into the narrows.

Non Technical Obstacles: Route finding for the drive in, Heat on the approach cold in the canyon with frigid water temps, Crowded popular route, Long class 3 and 2 walk out,  Long car shuttle on”impassable when wet” dirt roads. Difficult route finding. USE A MAP!

Recommended Time of Year: Summer or Fall. Never during Flash Flood threats.

Finding the Trailhead: High clearance cars and or trucks only. 4×4 recommended during the wet season. Parties have gotten their vehicle stranded for days on end due to rain events that occurred  in the high country during the parties canyon descent. (Stay out of the canyons when there is a threat of rain period to avoid this problem entirely). Drive through the tunnel and out of the park at the East Entrance/ Exit. drive 2.4 miles then turn left (N) on the paved North Fork road. Drive 5.1 miles to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort then turn left into the Resort. Continue on the North Fork Road for 2.8 miles to a small dirt road on the Left/ West. 2 wheel drive park here, 4×4 continue 1/4 mile down this road which is fenced on both sides to a small parking area at the top of a hill. Do not continue down past this point. It is an ATV trail not suitable for trucks.

The Approach: Walk down the old brushed in road. 15 minutes in and ATV trail forks RIght towards Birch Hollow. Pass a campsite see on the right until you reach an old rusty log loading machine reached 25 minutes from the car. Continue following the road off the end of a ridge and down into Engelstead canyon wash. Follow the wash down stream to the 1st rappel.

The Canyon Descent: Option 1: 50′ left of the main watercourse fall is a tall Pine tree used to rig the 1st 300′ drop.  Option 2: Rappel from same tree 90′ traversing “rappellers right” to a small ledge and a set of bolts located underneath a large block. Rappel 200′ from these bolts to the bottom. Both routes end up in the same place. From here continue rappelling and down climbing several drops down canyon until you reach the last drop. Final Rappel: 120′ Tree anchor, rap 15′ into pothole then traverse pothole while on rappel, exit pothole for the final 100′ rappel. Make sure the anchor is good before going off it. Rig the pull rope carefully as ropes tend to get stuck here often.

Egress: Engelstead runs into Orderville Canyon. Hike/down climb/ rappel Orderville canyon until it hits the Virgin River Narrows. You will be exposed to quite a bit of water for this part of the route. Walk “The Narrows” down stream back to the paved trail, continuing back to the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop. (Plan your departure time to at least catch the last tram back. If you miss the tram hike the road back to the Zion Lodge and try to get a ride back to your lower car park. (Tech Tip: DONT MISS THE TRAM!) UPCLIMBING ORDERVILLE can make for a shorter day but will require some 5th class climbing. 5.2 up a chimney that can be rather wet and unpleasant especially if your not a climber. Have the leader trail a rope up this section and build and anchor topside so that others may ascend the 5th class section. Our vote is to go down Orderville and the Narrows, all things considered.

Class: 4 B IV

Gear: WCCM layers, 2 – 120′ & 2 60′ rope, 70′ webbing, 8 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 7-9 hours

Technical Obstacles: Rappels and swims up to 120′, awkward starts, some swimming disconnects, possible stuck ropes in at least one spot.

Non Technical Obstacles: Route finding for the drive in, Heat on the approach cold in the canyon with frigid water temps, Long loose earth slope down climb, 2009 spring Bee hive in the tree anchor near last rappel, Crowded popular route, long car shuttle on”impassable when wet” dirt roads. Difficult route finding. USE A MAP! Several times a year parties drop into the wrong drainage and require a rescue. If you are not sure… go back!

Recommended Time of Year: Spring, Summer or Fall. Never during Flash Flood threats.

Finding the Trailhead: Option 1: Hike in. From the Weeping Rock shuttle stop hike the Observation Trail and connect with the East Mesa Trail 1/3 of a mile before Observation Point proper. Aprox 2.7 miles and 2 hours to this junction.  Follow the East Mesa Trail for about 20 minutes until a high point of this trail is reached. You will see Mystery canyon gorge through the brush on the left. Follow any of the faint user trails to the main drop in point of Mystery. Total hiking time, 2.5 hours. Elevation gained, 2200′. Option 2: Drive in. High clearance cars and or trucks only. 4×4 recommended during the wet season. Parties have gotten their vehicle stranded for days on end due to rain events that occurred  in the high country during the parties canyon descent. (Stay out of the canyons when there is a threat of rain period to avoid this problem entirely). Drive through the tunnel and out of the park at the East Entrance/ Exit. drive 2.4 miles then turn left (N) on the paved North Fork road. Drive 5.1 miles to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort then turn left into the Resort. There are “some” signs that direct to Observation Point. Start your Odometer at 0.0 now. 0.0 go straight past a residence to the end of the pavement. (avoid going down to the main resort building on the left.) 0.4 “Y” go Right, 0.7 “T” go Right for Observation Point (Twin Knolls Road), 1.5 “T” go Right, 2.3 Fir road crosses, go straight, road will get worse, stop here is it looks wet or snowy. 2.6 Road gets worse, if in doubt park here and walk the rest. 2.65 pine tree in the center of the road, go Right down the hill, 2.9 “Y” go Left, 3.0  End of Road and Park Boundary. Park here. GPS UTM Nad83: 331502 mE 412942 mN

The Approach: Hike West along a reasonably  flat trail for 2.1 miles. Mystery Canyon can be seen on the Right for some time. The trail will start to run uphill and then bend around a knoll. You will start to see faint user trails which lead off and Right to the head of the canyon.

The Canyon Descent: Double check that this is Mystery Canyon. You will see a vast North bound drainage with a long smooth canyon wall canyon Right and a series of peaks on canyon left. This first mile of drainage is more like an earthquake fault line that a water sculpted canyon route. There will be a well worn trail which drops straight down to the middle of the canyon which begins 50′ canyon right (East). Hike down this trail taking care not to dislodge rocks down onto the people in the front of you (including other parties). There will be a short “clean drop” which is bypassed by a trail canyon Right. There will be a few down  climbs/rappels to navigate. Continue on until you reach a large pile of logs. Down climb the log jam to a slot. Rappel from a bolt anchor at the end of this slot.

Rappel 1-4: 45′, 30′, 12′, 50′.

Canyon jogs Left into the sun.

Rappel 5 – 9: 30, 40′ 50′ 110′ 120′

Egress: Pack up the ropes and walk the Virgin River (lower narrows) back to the paved trail, continuing back to the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop. (Plan your departure time to at least catch the last tram back. If you miss the tram hike the road back to the Zion Lodge and try to get a ride back to your lower car park. (Tech Tip: DONT MISS THE TRAM!)

Class: 4B III

Gear: WCCM layers, 3 – 165′ ropes, 60′ webbing, 8 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 5-9 hours

Technical Obstacles: Multi-pitch style rappel, route finding to the established anchor points, plenty of anchor building challenges, stuck ropes are common, awkward starts.
Non Technical Obstacles: Possible swims and deep wades, popular crowded route, route finding for the head of the canyon. (if you go to far you will end up in Heaps canyons which is in significantly more difficult with a 300+’ final rappel and pothole escapes. Don”t miss your start for Behunin! If in doubt, don’t drop in!

Recommended Time of Year: Year round with certain conditions such as excessive snow, heat, or threat of Flash Floods.

Finding the Trailhead: Start at the Grotto shuttle stop and follow the West Rim / Angeles Landing trail.

The Approach: Start at the Grotto shuttle stop and follow the West Rim / Angeles Landing trail. up to the top of Scout Lookout Ridge. Hang a left (North) and follow the West Rim trail past Telephone canyon crossing the giant slabs of Mount Majestic. The trail works into a steep walled North facing canyon then up to a “pass”. The West Rim trail continues to the right with several switchbacks complete with cut in steps. Behunin canyon will begin to reveal itself on the West side of the pass. This should take you 2-3 hours climbing over 2000′. total approach length is 3.8 miles. Triple check that you are entering Behunin and haven’t gone to far ending up in Heaps canyon!XX

The Canyon Descent:Drop into Behunin canyon by way of a faint user trail leading “down and canyon right” for about 120′. Cut right and carefully contour across the top of steep slabs then down into the base of a stripped wall and what will be the base of the water course. Follow the watercourse down bypassing brush patches by climbing canyon left. After 45 minutes the canyon banks left from here the narrow slot begins to form.

Rappel 1: 90′ Bolts canyon right 30′ past a tree to a large ledge. there are other options but they require scrambling on loose dirt rappelling off of trees that should be left alone.

Rappel 2: 150′ to a tree near the water course.

Rappel 3: 150′ off the tree which is the base of Rap 2. Do a test pull to ensure that the rope will be retrievable.

Rappel 4: 120′ bolted anchors to the canyon floor.

Hike 1/4 mile

Rappel 5: 90′ bolted  anchor 50′ canyon right

Hike 1/4 mile

Rappel 6: Use this anchor: 60′ off log into short swim. Ignore other options  by staying in the water course to avoid erosion.

Rappel 7: 80′ past short deep pool. DO NOT climb up and left to access the dirty nasty 2 stage rappel

Scramble down canyon over and under large boulders until you can climb on top a large boulder blocking the end of the canyon. Carefully down climb on the right side of the boulder to a sloping exposed  ledge

Rappel 8: 130′ from Pinch point anchors (last person down may wish to pull ropes from a ledge just above the next anchor. Stuck ropes are common here. test pulls and great care will help avoid this).

Down climb into the slot below the rope pulling ledge and under a chockstone where you will find a rats nest of bolts and webbing.

Rappel 9: 165′ Bolts around the corner of the main rats nest of bolts. Add on to your pull rope and get back as far as you can to retrieve your rappel line.

Egress: Bag the gear and boulder hop your way down Middle Emerald Pool trail. Take the trail to the left back to the Grotto parking area.

Class: 4 B IV

Gear: WCCM layers, 14 – ropes of varied length up to 120′ long, 70′ webbing, dry bags, headlamp, self-rescue gear. Permits from the Zion N.P. Visitors Center. This is a “Down and Back” canyon route utilizing “fixed rope” techniques for re-ascending.

Expected Time Commitment: For a solid team, trailhead – trailhead 8-11 hours

Technical Obstacles: Rappels and swims up to 110′, awkward starts, swimming disconnects, Fixed rope reascending, possible partner assist out of one pothole mid route.

Non Technical Obstacles: Heat on the approach cold in the canyon with frigid water temps.

Recommended Time of Year: Spring, Summer or Fall. After the snow melt and never during threat of a Flash Flood.

Finding the Trailhead: Weeping Rock Trailhead / shuttle stop

The Approach: Follow the trail up towards Observation Point for about 45 minutes. Depart the trail when it crosses the water course for Echo Canyon.

The Canyon Descent: Take time to find and anchor and conceal your fixed rope at the first drop as it will be subjected theft if found by the wrong hiker Joe. We left a note in the anchor stating that there is a group down canyon who’s lives will depend on this rope not being touched in anyway. Also advisable to fix the tail of your rope at the bottom so that it cannot be pulled up by someone who cant read your note.

Rappels: Up to 14 rappels with several in the 60′ – 80′ up to 120′ with one possible pothole to duo climb out of. The end of the route stops above a 335′ free hanging rappel which is dangerous and illegal. This rappel ends up at the base of the Weeping Rock overlook and will frequently have hikers sitting on the benches below. Not cool to have your ropes drop down onto them. Plus you will be turned into the park service.

Egress: Reascend your fixed ropes then return hike back down towards the main canyon and Weeping Rock shuttle. There is a 5th class climb that leads back up to the Observation Point trail. It goes at a loose dirty 5.6 and can be protected with fixed pitons (if you can find them) and or stoppers if you wish to try. Remember not to lead climb on your static ropes and to stay way away from the exposed rim of the canyon. There are several loose death blocks that can easily be knocked loose and will most likely hit people hiking 400+ feet down on the Weeping Rock trail. A thorough assessment of this upclimb can be made by rappelling the route. You can find this route by carefully walking the slick rock ridge down where the Observation Point trail turns into Echo Canyon for the first time. Remember to stay far away from the edge overlooking the parking area below!

Class: WCCM 4B II – III

Gear: WCCM layers, cold / icy water most of the year, 3 – 40′ ropes, 40′ webbing, 4 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 4-6 hours

Technical Obstacles: Rappels and swims up to 30′, awkward starts, frigid icy water, partner assist to escape pothole at base of third rappel, possible ice/ snow large enough to block down canyon progress. Check with the backcountry desk for updated conditions.

Non Technical Obstacles: Large accumulation of snow and ice which slides in from the upper canyon rim possibly blocking down canyon progress and or forcing one to crawl under and or climb over. Without proper ice climbing gear this could be hazardous. Check with the backcountry desk for updated conditions. High heat on the approach very cold in the canyon with frigid water temps.

Recommended Time of Year: Summer or Fall. Never during the threat of Flash Floods.

Finding the Trailhead: Trailhead begins and ends up at the “Weeping Rock” shuttle stop.

The Approach: Climb the Observation Point trail to the point where it crosses Echo Canyon proper. (the actual water course). This is where you will end up after your descent. Continue up the trial 1/2 mile (800 m) to where Echo Canyon trail branches off right. This smaller trail will work its way into the creek bed of Echo Canyon. Follow the trail 50′ (15 m) further through the woods and begin your descent.

The Canyon Descent: Good gear up spot just before the first pool, from there 4 rappels with a small pothole escape at the base of the third drop.
Rappel #1 20′ through a V shaped notch.
Rappel #2 25′ into pool.
Rappel #3 25” into pool with possible partner assist to escape the pool. not wise to solo unless you can solo exit a pothole.
Rappel #4 30′ into pool.
Pack up the ropes and get ready for a few down climbs and deep wades/ small swims during the final 1/2 hour of deep slot canyon hiking.

Egress: Hang a left when you reach the Observation Point trail and follow it down the switchbacks to the shuttle stop.

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.