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.
Cockeye Falls is a fun route that explores Zion's slickrock country.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Trailhead:
37°13.30450N
112°55.4260W
Brown Petroglyphs:
37°12 9810N
112°55.4480W
Hidden Garden Entrance:
37°12.9160N
112°55.3760W
Begin Ascent:
37°12.9244N
112°55.3265W
Saddle at Ridge Summit:
37°12.2496N
112°55.0852W
Hoodoo in Bowl:
37°12.0570N
112°55.1550W
Hidden Dragon:
37 12.1020N
112 55.3140W
Descent from Ridge into
Cockeye Falls Wash:
37 12.8105N
112 54.9787W
Cockeye Falls:
37 12.9660N
112 54.9560W
GPS coordinates are only references and may or may not be accurate. Do not rely on GPS coordinates as the sole method of navigation. Always have an accurate, detailed map at hand and have the proper map reading and navigation skills before setting out on any hike. Many of the hikes listed in this guide travel into canyons where a GPS has limited capabilities. Always check your position with a detailed map before dropping into a canyon.
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
Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National
Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced
Zion hikers and canyoneers like the La Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great
for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.
Cockeye Falls
This route begins and ends in Clear Creek. From Clear Creek the route heads up slickrock to some remote Zion National Park country, with great views, on the east side of the park.
Cockeye Falls at a Glance
Photo Album: Cockeye Falls Pictures Trail Maps: Cockeye Falls Topo Map
Day Hike: Yes Distance: 4.5 miles round trip. Average Time: 6 hours Equipment: Carry at least 3 quarts of water per person,
extra clothing, emergency supplies, energy foods, map and compass. Footwear should
have a sticky rubber sole for scrambling on slickrock. Difficulty: Steep slickrock scrambling and route finding. Permits:
Required Check the weather report
before attempting this canyon. Do not go if it looks like rain or if there is
ice on the slickrock. Call the Zion Canyon Visitors Center for weather
conditions prior to the hike: 435.772.3256. Hiking in slot canyons presents
a danger from flash flooding. Do not hike this trail if it is raining.
Remember a storm far off can trigger a flash flood. There is a moderate to high
flash flood danger for this route. Trailhead: South end of the little tunnel. Trailend: Same as the trailhead. Trail Access: Zion-Mt. Carmel Hwy is open year-round.
If there is water in Clear Creek the trail may not be accessible. Off the Beaten Path: Yes Classic Zion Trail: No Starting Elevation: 5275' Highest Elevation: 6200' Elevation: +/- 925' Best season: Spring and Fall
(winter if conditions are dry).
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. Do not get on the Zion Canyon Shuttle to hike the trail on this page.
Trailhead Park at the west end of the small tunnel. Follow the worn path down (south)
into the wash. Continue up the short spur to Clear Creek. Once in Clear Creek,
turn left (upstream).
Brown Petroglyphs Walk up creek a short distance, noting the faint petroglyphs on the stained,
110' high cliff. At the base of the cliff is a 4' high - flat rock platform.
Scan the cliff 30' up and locate the large overhanging roof. On the right of
the large roof is smaller roof which extends a foot or two. Below the smaller
roof overhang is a 6' long by 1' wide flat panel containing the petroglyphs.
The petroglyphs were dubbed "Brown Petroglyphs" in the mid to late
90's during a search and rescue training when a Zion ranger, Scott Brown, rappelled
directly over the them.
Clear Creek Continue walking up Clear Creek. After .35 mile (total hiking distance)
the drainage of Hidden
Garden, marked by a very large ponderosa tree, is bypassed
on the right. Continue 200 yards farther and a less prominent drainage is approached
on the right.
Slickrock Ascent
Travel up the steep slickrock slab for the next .7 mile. Sometimes the travel
is quite steep, continuing up and to the south-southeast. By switchbacking
and scanning before proceeding, you should be able to find a weakness to follow.
Moki marbles are common during the 900' vertical ascent. Sparsely scattered pine
trees, sculpted bowls and crevices create a road map along the looming 6460'
summit. Views to the north and west present ridges, valleys, slot canyons and
towering sandstone summits, such as East
and West Temple, East
Rim, Deertrap
Mountain, Watchman and
Progeny Peak.
Soon the slickrock slabs yield to a flat valley of low-brush, grass and cacti
vegetation. Goat trails take off to the south and make navigation an easier task
through the thickets. At one mile, since leaving Clear
Creek on the western flank
of 6460', (now standing on the saddle) the world opens to the south exposing
the plateaus on the north and south of Parunuweap Canyon.
From the saddle, bear slightly west and down into the slickrock bowl below.
A few hundred feet away is a white hoodoo. Look to the west from the hoodoo.
The rock formation (peak) locals call Hidden Dragon is 200 yards away. Hidden
Dragon is a crumbly little peak with wonderful views from the top. Continue to
the west-northwest to gain the ridge Hidden Dragon sits atop. Views to the north
of this ridge afford a glimpse down a slot canyon far below.
Cockeye Falls Retrace the route until the saddle is reached. From the saddle contour the
base of 6460' (as seen on a topo map) and in a general northerly direction, gradually
bear slightly east. Soon a large drainage and bowl comes into sight, below
and to the east. Contour the edge of this drainage (valley) in a northerly direction
for 1 mile after leaving the saddle. The ridge becomes narrower and begins to
fall off steeply on the left, right and straight ahead. By carefully picking
a route off the right side of the ridge and switchbacking, the floor of the
canyon is soon reached. This is the drainage that feeds Cockeye Falls. A couple
of slab rock - dryfalls are encountered and bypassed on the right (east side)
with some reasonably steep slab down-climbing and traversing. After negotiating
the dryfall the wash makes a quick turn to the left and the Zion-Mt. Carmel
Highway and Clear Creek appear just a short, stones throw away. Cockeye Falls
winds through sculpted sandstone and touches down into Clear Creek. Be careful
not to walk too far down the falls as the grade becomes steep.
Exit By heading in a northeasterly direction and continually losing elevation,
the grade becomes manageable to scramble down the slickrock into Clear Creek.
Now relax and enjoy the .75 mile stroll down the sometimes open and sometimes
slotted Clear
Creek and back to the car.
