Behunin Canyon in Zion National Park, UT

Canyoneer Behunin Canyon Zion National Park, UT

Class 1 3B III (170 ft max) 7.1 miles 2600 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Mar 28, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Behunin Canyon GPX Track

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

Behunin Canyon is overall an interesting and fun technical canyon with many long rappels. Starting from the shuttle stop called The Grotto, follow the West Rim Trail almost to the mesatop, but leaving the trail and heading south into the canyon shortly before the last leg up the cliff face. Behunin Canyon's 9 rappels were bolted during our visit, and  didn't offer any serious challenges, except for the last two, where it's pretty easy to get your rope caught betwen rocks. The group ahead of us did just that and we had to unlodge their rope, so we were extra careful since nobody was behind us. While Behunin doesn't have the classic red rock slots, it does have sheer, tall cliffs on either side and some pretty vegetation and colors throughout. The canyon ends on the Kayenta Trail and this leads back to The Grotto.

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Start from The Grotto and head toward Angels Landing along the West Rim Trail.
Start from The Grotto and head toward Angels Landing along the West Rim Trail.
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At the top of Walter's Wiggles.
At the top of Walter's Wiggles.
Looking over at Angels Landing after passing the Angel's Landing Trail junction.
Looking over at Angels Landing after passing the Angel's Landing Trail junction.
Continuing on the West Rim Trail.
Continuing on the West Rim Trail.
Looking back toward Angels Landing.
Looking back toward Angels Landing.
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Mount Majestic view.
Mount Majestic view.
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Almost at the head of Behunin Canyon.
Almost at the head of Behunin Canyon.
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Looking back the way we came.
Looking back the way we came.
Entrance to Behunin Canyon, leaving the West Rim Trail.
Entrance to Behunin Canyon, leaving the West Rim Trail.
Shawn looking at the sheer cliffs at Behunin's head.
Shawn looking at the sheer cliffs at Behunin's head.
Some easy bushwhacking.
Some easy bushwhacking.
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Approaching the first rappel.
Approaching the first rappel.
Third and fourth rappels (1, 2, 3, 4 are right after each other, and each had a bolted anchor).
Third and fourth rappels (1, 2, 3, 4 are right after each other, and each had a bolted anchor).
Coming down Rap 3.
Coming down Rap 3.
Coming down Rap 4.
Coming down Rap 4.
Raps 3 and 4 from below.
Raps 3 and 4 from below.
Continuing into the canyon, where it gets more narrow.
Continuing into the canyon, where it gets more narrow.
Rap 5.
Rap 5.
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We still thought we could avoid getting wet at this point.
We still thought we could avoid getting wet at this point.
...here too.
...here too.
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Eventually we gave up trying to avoid the water.
Eventually we gave up trying to avoid the water.
Rap 6. There is a trail to the right of a drop into a deep pool, leading to this much drier rappel.
Rap 6. There is a trail to the right of a drop into a deep pool, leading to this much drier rappel.
Bottom of Rap 6.
Bottom of Rap 6.
Mossy narrower section.
Mossy narrower section.
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Confused at Rap 7. There's a pretty set of anchors where Shawn and Taylor are standing, but it requires getting very wet at the bottom. We found a rappel off a tree nearby that avoided the pools (next photo).
Confused at Rap 7. There's a pretty set of anchors where Shawn and Taylor are standing, but it requires getting very wet at the bottom. We found a rappel off a tree nearby that avoided the pools (next photo).
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Approaching Rap 8 and 9.
Approaching Rap 8 and 9.
Taylor about to begin the sketchy rope placement Rap 8.
Taylor about to begin the sketchy rope placement Rap 8.
Looking up Rap 8. The rope can definitely get stuck in a lot of places.
Looking up Rap 8. The rope can definitely get stuck in a lot of places.
Shawn pulling really hard before starting rap 9. We tried really hard to place the rope properly. There was a party before us who had gotten their rope stuck, so we were able to see where NOT to put the rope. Even so, it was hard to pull even with our best
Shawn pulling really hard before starting rap 9. We tried really hard to place the rope properly. There was a party before us who had gotten their rope stuck, so we were able to see where NOT to put the rope. Even so, it was hard to pull even with our best
From the bottom of the last rappel, Rap 9.
From the bottom of the last rappel, Rap 9.
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Continuing on a use trail (below) with amazing cliffs all around.
Continuing on a use trail (below) with amazing cliffs all around.
Looking back toward rappel 8/9.
Looking back toward rappel 8/9.
Passing by Emerald Pools.
Passing by Emerald Pools.
Kayenta Trail back to The Grotto.
Kayenta Trail back to The Grotto.
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!