Birch Hollow and Orderville Canyon in Zion National Park, UT

Canyoneer Birch Hollow and Orderville Canyon Zion National Park, UT

Class 1 3A III (120 ft max) 10.8 miles Minimal gain 7-10 hrs Shuttle May 31, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Birch Hollow and Orderville Canyon GPX Track

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Permit not required for Birch Hollow since it's outside Zion National Park, but continuing down Orderville Canyon does require a permit.

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.

Head down Birch Hollow on a social trail until you get into the sandy wash. Follow the wash until you get to a major drop, which isn't a rappel. Locate the route to the left to avoid the drop. Continue down Birch Hollow, passing one rappel within the wash before entering the narrow section. The narrows of this canyon are stunning, in my opinion, colorful and bright and with some interesting obstacles. After completing Birch Hollow, continue down Orderville Canyon. It's comparable to the Zion Narrows, but without all the people and with some incredibly cool formations, waterfalls, and vegetation. Eventually, you reach the Zion Narrows, which you follow down to the Temple of Sinawava, where you'll likely need to catch a shuttle back to the Visitor Center unless you're doing this on the off-season.

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The route enters Birch Hollow, which progresses from an overgrown trench into a beautiful narrows.
The route enters Birch Hollow, which progresses from an overgrown trench into a beautiful narrows.
Approaching a dryfall (descent to the left, not a rappel).
Approaching a dryfall (descent to the left, not a rappel).
First rappel.
First rappel.
Narrows already!
Narrows already!
Mini rappels along the way, some of which can be down-climbed.
Mini rappels along the way, some of which can be down-climbed.
100ft rappel, the longest all day.
100ft rappel, the longest all day.
Looking up the 100ft rappel
Looking up the 100ft rappel
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Another rappel directly after the 100ft one.
Another rappel directly after the 100ft one.
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The narrows of Birch Hollow ends, meeting at the Orderville Canyon confluence.
The narrows of Birch Hollow ends, meeting at the Orderville Canyon confluence.
Orderville Canyon starts a bit dry and wide.
Orderville Canyon starts a bit dry and wide.
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A few minor rappels or hand-lines. This one goes directly under a massive boulder chokestone. So cool.
A few minor rappels or hand-lines. This one goes directly under a massive boulder chokestone. So cool.
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Lots of fun mini waterfalls into water pools
Lots of fun mini waterfalls into water pools
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Looking back at the confluence of Orderville Canyon and the Zion Narrows (Virgin River)
Looking back at the confluence of Orderville Canyon and the Zion Narrows (Virgin River)
The Narrows. We hadn't seen anyone all day until this point.
The Narrows. We hadn't seen anyone all day until this point.
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At the end of The Narrows, starting on the Riverside Walk to get to the shuttle.
At the end of The Narrows, starting on the Riverside Walk to get to the shuttle.
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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!