The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Zion National Park, Utah!
Stay in Mount Carmel Junction, the heart of the parks, and
visit the treasures of the Southwest.
Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
Plan your Zion National Park Vacation with our Utah Maps and
Information
In these pages you will find insiders information on Zion National
Park lodging, adventures and hikes. This detailed guide includes road maps, park
maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna,
campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information on Zion's hidden treasures.
Making summer memories in the Utah National Parks and National
Monuments.
Directions to Zion National Park From Salt Lake City: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver.
Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to Zion's east
entrance. From Arizona: Travel 89A through Fredonia, Arizona
and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to the east
park entrance. From Las Vegas: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and
travel through Hurricane. Make a right on U-9 at the second traffic light in
LaVerkin. Continue on U-9 to the south entrance of the park. U-9 through Zion
National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.
The historic Cable Works with
views of the Great White Throne, Angels Landing, Observation Point, and the West
rim of Zion below.
Optional side hikes:
Deertrap Mountain is an 8 mile round
trip from the junction with the East Rim Trail with incredible
views of Angels Landing, Great White Throne, Mountain of the Sun, Twin Brothers,
Beehives, Court of the Patriarchs and the West Temple.
Hidden
Canyon is located toward the end of the East Rim/Observation Point
trail. From the canyon entrance its .5 miles to the 20' freestanding arch and
then it is possible to continue about .6 more miles through the canyon.
Observation
Pointis about 4 miles round trip from the Observation Point//East
Rim junction. Marvelous views of Zion Canyon can be seen along much of this this
hike as well as at the view point at the end of the trail.
Going through the non-technical section of Echo Canyon, a slot canyon, usually
involves getting wet and always requires climbing past obstacles.
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and www.zionnational-park.com author Tanya Milligan.
To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more information please visit the Zion National Park Forum
Suggested Equipment: Bring a sturdy pair of shoes with rubber soles to hike Mountain of the Sun. Some hikers prefer hiking boots due to the support they give to the ankles. Most experienced Zion hikers prefer a good quality rubber shoe like the Sportiva Exum Ridge which help the hiker stick to the slick rock when hiking off the paved trails.
Cable Mountain
This is a moderately strenuous 2 day, 15.8 mile round trip, with an ascent of 2136' to Cable Mountain. The path is shared with the East Rim Trail for the first 5.5 miles. Begin the hike at the east entrance to Zion Park by the entrance station. The start of the trail is hot so begin the hike early in the day.
Cable Mountain at a Glance
Photo Album: Cable Mountain Pictures
Trail Map: Cable Mountain Map
Day Hike: Can be done as a long day hike but usually done as a
backpack. Distance: 16 Miles (one way using shuttle) Average Hiking Time: 10 hours one way trip (using
shuttle) Trail Usage: Moderate Difficulty: Steady climb throughout the hike, then
a steep decline at the end. Well maintained trail makes for easier hiking. Sun Exposure: Full sun in most places. Bring lots of
water and begin early. Permits:
not needed unless camping. Trail Conditions: Well maintained trail with rock and
dirt on the approach and paved trail on the exit. Trailhead: East Rim Trailhead 150 yards west of the
east gate of Zion National Park. Trailend: Weeping Rock parking lot in Zion Canyon. Best season: Early summer or fall , but this is a
nice mid summer hike as well if the hike is began early in the day to avoid the
heat on the hottest part of the trail.
Trail Access: Highway 9 through the
park is always open. Late March to October: For a one way hike park a car at
the trailhead near the east entrance of the park or use a commercial shuttle.
At the end of the trail catch the Zion Canyon Shuttle at the parking lot back
to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, or Canyon Junction where you are parked. If
hiking from November to the last part of March, park the second car at the Weeping
Rock parking lot in Zion Canyon, since the Zion shuttles do not run at this time
of year. Off the Beaten Path: No Classic Zion Hike: Yes Starting Elevation: 5750'/1753m Cable Works Elevation: 6798'/2072m Restrooms: Restrooms are located at the trailhead near
the east entrance fee booth and at the trailend at the Weeping Rock parking lot.
Restrooms are located at the trailhead near the east entrance fee booth and at
the trailend at the Weeping Rock parking lot. Water Availability: Stave Springs is an unreliable
water supply, but it's near the camping sites. Ask at the backcountry desk if
its running before heading out to camp.
See our vacation planning section for classic Zion National Park trails or glance at our favorite Zion National Park trails list or choose from a complete Zion National Park hiking guide. Don't get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Cable Mountain
A second set of switchbacks will be encountered before arriving at the flat
and shadier forest section (6730'). The spur to Deertrap Mountain and
Cable Mountain is .2 miles past Stave Springs. The mesa top trail to Cable
Mountain is a loop back to Stave Springs. Cable Mountain is 3 miles (one way)
from this point. After visiting Cable Mountain return the way you came or continue
on the impressive East Rim Trail to the Weeping Rock parking lot.
Cable Mountain Mileage
Jolly Gulch 2.8 miles
Stave Spring 5.5 miles (2.5 hours)
Jct to Cable Mountain 5.7 miles
Cable Works 8.7 miles
Back to East Rim Trail 11.7 miles
Weeping Rock parking lot 16 miles
Cable
Mountain can be seen from a distance along the Hidden
Canyon Trail or Observation
Point Trail. From these trailheads you will have to look closely at Cable
Mountain to see the cable-car system that once existed in Zion National Park.
However on the Cable Mountain hike you can sit and have lunch beneath the cable
works.
Option: East Rim, Cable Mountain, Deertrap Mountain Backpack
Backpackingoption. Camp at Stave Spring.
Day hike to Cable Mountain then back to the Cable Mountain/ Deertrap Mountain
junction (not Stave Springs) then to Deertrap Mountain, back to Stave Springs
and end at the Weeping Rock parking lot. Total mileage: 20 miles
Best trail features: The East Rim Trail is spectacular, but
add the view points of Cable Mountain and Deertrap and its hard to beat. When
water is flowing in Jolly Gulch is a special treat.
History: From the top of Cable Mountain the views of
Zion Canyon are astonishing and the old cable system is interesting. In 1904
a saw mill opened at Stave Springs. The lumber from the mill was lowered down
into Zion Canyon from the cable works. After many hardships, from lightening
burning down the the cable system in 1911, to a lack of lumber supply, everything
eventually closed down in 1930.
