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Zion
Hiking Forum
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.
Utah!
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Zion
National Park Map
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.
Oversized
Vehicle Information
Zion
Canyon Shuttle Information
Tanya on one of the many down climbs in Yankee Doodle Canyon.
GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum
Parking
37°14.205 N
113°27.233 W
Rappel
37°14.174 N
113°27.152 W
Exit Ramp
37°14.134 N
113°26.885 W
Technical Canyoneering: Never enter a semi-technical or technical canyon without the knowledge and skills needed to safely explore and return. Many technical canyons also require gps skills or excellent map reading skills.
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.
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Yankee Doodle Canyon
Between Zion National Park and St. George is a wonderful adventure through Yankee Doodle Canyon, a short but fun slot. Until recently the canyon was pretty much left unexplored, but with the advent of canyoneering, and the tools and techniques that aid in the enjoyment of this relatively new sport, Yankee Doodle has become a more popular spot to visit. Located in Dixie National Forest, just west of Leeds, access is generally gentle and fast. The canyon offers the chance to practice such skills as rappelling, down climbing, anchor techniques and partner assists while navigating a beautiful slot canyon. Be certain that you have some basic climbing and canyoneering skills before attempting this canyon. Even though this slot is in the forest we included it with Zion since that is where most people will look for slot canyons.
Photo Album: Pictures
Trail Maps: Map
Day Canyon: Yes
Distance: 1 mile
Average Time: 2-3 hours
Equipment: One 170' rope and another 50' rope should be on hand to descend the canyon plus a helmet, harness,
rappel device, map, dry bag and possibly a wetsuit.
Technical: One rappel but numerous down climbs.
ACA Canyon Rating: 3AI.
Difficulty: Good down climbing skills are needed for the many obstacles and there is one technical rappel.
Permits:
Required
Check the weather report
before hiking this trail. Do not hike if it looks like rain
Trailhead:
The exit to Leeds/Silver Reef is approximately 14 miles north of St. George, Utah on I-15, or if traveling south on I-15 approximately 3.5 miles south of the Zion/ Toquerville exit.
Trailend: Same as trailhead.
Total Elevation: 275'
Trail access: Year-round
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Best Season: Good summer, spring and fall canyon, but the canyon may hold water so a wetsuit would be required. Winter and spring would probably be the most likely time water would be in he canyon.
Hazards: Hiking in slot canyons presents
a very real danger from flash flooding. Do not hike this trail if it is raining.
Remember a storm far off can trigger a flash flood.
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.
Trailhead -
Take the road to Silver Reef from Leeds heading toward Pine Valley Mountain. Once in Silver Reef the paved road will turn to dirt as it crosses the bridge over Leeds Creek. Set the odometer at the bridge and continue up the dirt road for 1.7 miles to the intersection. Go left at the intersection and follow the dirt road as it ascends the steep hillside above the canyon. The road will turn and twist, and bypass a ranch and at 7.8 miles there will be a pull-out on the right. Park here, gather your gear and hike up the road for about 20 yards where you should find a cairn on the left side of the road. Follow the trail 100 yards until the canyon floor drops out abruptly. This is Yankee Doodle Canyon.
Rappelling and good down climbing skills are required to navigate
through this slot canyon. Remember slot canyons can change dramatically in a
short time due to flash floods and water levels in this canyon change. These
directions are only a general reference. Be prepared for variations in the canyon.
Yankee Doodle Canyon -
There is a large juniper tree on the left (when looking down canyon) side of the head of the canyon. This makes a good anchor to for the 170' rope. Rappel 25' to the grotto below and stay hooked into the rappel. The notch just 20 yards down canyon is a wonderful fluted drop of maybe 100'. Leave the rope suspended as it will be picked up after the hike is completed. Continue down canyon on foot and shortly the down climbing begins. Some of the climbs are piece of cake and some are intimidating. The 50' rope can be used to belay or assist those that may be unsure. The strongest climber of the party should always be last to descend. Using stemming to chimney seems to be a good technique and spotting from below is also a good idea. Most of the down climbs are short, but a few are up to 25'.
Exit -
Most of the canyon remains quite narrow with vertical sandstone walls that prevent escape. Before the canyon comes to and end, and less than a half mile downstream from the start is a steep slab up-climb which you will need to scramble up to exit the canyon . The exit follows a down climb into what could be a pool of water and a then another possible pool of water. The canyon then opens up to show a sandy canyon floor littered with fairly large boulders. Looking to the left (looking down canyon) there is a steep slab and a right facing corner to the left of the slab running vertically 40'to some vegetation. Use the featured arête and the roots to scale up the left side of this slab. Partway up to the vegetation is a small ledge bearing right. Follow the ledge 20' to the right and find the faint moki-steps. These will help you up the short 3' un-featured climb. Scramble up to the vegetation and prow another 20' to the right. There is a faint trail that leads toward a drainage. It will be necessary to overcome another 8' steep climb to the left to avoid the wash far below and to the right. Once on top of the slab, the trail then skirts above and eventually drops into the wash below. Follow the wash as it ascends through vegetation and boulders until it meets the road. Now turn left and follow the road for 300 Yards to arrive back to the vehicle.
For more information see Shane Burrows excellent
Climb-Utah.com website: Yankee Doodle Canyon
A trip through Boltergeist Canyon can be added to this adventure.
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