Orderville Canyon
This very demanding, 13-mile hike introduces visitors to the wonders of river hiking in Zion's Narrows. After accessing the hike through Zion Ponderosa Ranch's Orderville Gulch, hikers enter the canyon. The beginning of the canyon is marked by a 125-foot dry fall. At many times during the year, pools of water line this dry fall. Hikers will continue to descend deep into the canyon. Within a couple of miles, any noticeable trail has become a streambed and thousand-foot cliffs tower on both sides of the stream. Orderville Canyon is much drier than the more populated narrows trail that begins at Chamberlain's Ranch, so the walking is faster. Hikers must still watch their footing as they traverse the small stream in the canyon.

Upon crossing into the Park, hikers will arrive at a 15-foot drop off. This obstacle must be negotiated with care. The use of ropes and some down-climbing experience is recommended. This obstacle is one of the reasons that Orderville Canyon is much less visited than other Narrows hikes. After 9.7 miles, hikers will reach the confluence of the Orderville Canyon and the North fork of the Virgin River. The water is much deeper now and remains that way for the remaining three miles of the hike. Wading and sometimes swimming is necessary ot continue downstream. The water can be quite cold and footing on the river bottom is very difficult. Hikers must take extreme caution in this part of the hike. You DO need a permit for this hike. Permits can be obtained from the Visitors Center at the west entrance of the Park.

Observation Point
This hike begins on the East Mesa trail, 3 miles North of the Echo Canyon trailhead. After a length walk (2.5 miles) along the wooded trail, hikers take the scenic one half mile detour to 'The point'. Observation Point offers a 270 degree panoramic view of Angels Landing, Scout Lookout, the Temple of Sinawava, and the Virgin River. After returning from the point, hikers soon merge with the switchbacks of the Echo Canyon trail and the hike ends at Weeping Rock. This lengthy 7-mile hike is demanding but spectacular, and considering by many to offer the best view in Zion. Hikers will be picked up five hours after beginning the hike.

Cable Mountain & Deer Trap Mountain Trails
These hikes offer the visitor some of the most spectacular views in the Park. Both trails are round trip in that they begin at the Echo Canyon drop off point, but rather than descend to the bottom of Zion Canyon as does the Echo trail, they end at sheer cliffs which overlook the canyon. Cable Mountain is approximately 8 miles for the round trip. Visitors will see the remains of the old bulwarks of a pioneer logging operation that transported lumber 2,200 feet straight down to the canyon floor. The view from Cable Mountain includes the Great White Throne, Angels Landing, Observation Point, and the West rim of the Park.

The Deertrap Mountain trail splits off the Cable Mountain trail at the mid point. This trail is approximately 9 miles round trip and includes views of The Court of the Patriarchs, Twin Brothers, and East Temple. Both of these hikes end back at the drop off point. Visitors will be picked up five hours after beginning the hike.

East Entrance Trail
This 3-mile hike is accessed through Jolley Gulch on the ranch. It is easy walking and has one short ascent, midway through the hike. After walking for nearly a mile through the wooded gulch, hikers cross into the Park, then immediately emerge into a spectacular clearing that overlooks the deep White Cliff canyon. The trail continues for two more miles, circling into Cave Canyon and Clear Creek wash. Hikers are offered an unbelievable view of Checkerboard Mesa through most of the hike. The trail ends just opposite the East entrance of the Ranger station. A shuttle van will meet hikers here, approximately 2.5 hours after beginning the hike.

Echo Canyon
Difficulty: easy
Length: five miles
4 hours


Hikers are transported through the ranch, and are dropped off at the Park Fence. This clearly marked trailhead leads into the Echo Canyon trail that spans nearly five miles from start to finish. Echo Canyon is known for its switchbacks that take hikers on a 2,100-foot descent over the course of the hike. The Echo Canyon trail has sheer cliffs and impressive views of the Angel's Landing area of the Park. The hike ends at Weeping Rock, the wall of sandstone that boasts lush vegetation nurtured by a continuous rain that seeps from the rock. Shuttle service will meet hikers in the Weeping Rock parking lot, four hours after the beginning of the hike.

Canyon Overlook Trail
Difficulty: easy
Length: two miles (round trip)
Time: one hour

This hike is available year-round. Hikers begin the hike adjacent to the east entrance of the mile long tunnel in the Park. A short ascent takes hikers to a scenic trail used for surveying the tunnel construction in the 1920s. This hike is approximately one hour in walking distance and offers beautiful views of the park.

 


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Zion Hiking
E-MAIL: resort@ZionPonderosa.com

Zion ATV Tours, East Zion , Utah