Mystery Canyon from Weeping Rock in Zion National Park, UT

Canyoneer Mystery Canyon from Weeping Rock Zion National Park, UT

Class 2 3B III (130 ft max) 7.4 miles 2600 gain 6-8 hrs Shuttle Sep 23, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mystery Canyon from Weeping Rock 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.

This is a longer and more fun alternative to the shortcut approach of Mystery Canyon via the East Mesa Trail. You get much better views, lots more elevation gain, and it makes the trip feel more adventurous. You can see more photos of Mystery Canyon here from when I did it a few months ago via the shorter approach. I think I might have documented it a bit more fully on that version.

For this route, take the Zion shuttle (during peak season), or drive to Weeping Rock and follow the Observation Point Trail almost to the end, but veer off right onto the East Mesa Trail until you get to the head of Mystery Canyon. It won't look like a route, but you'll notice erosion from many people sliding down this section, the "Death Gully". It's pretty obvious (see photos), but make sure you're in the right canyon and not scrambling into "Not Mystery Canyon" (you can do your own research on that one). Slowly slip and slide for a while down the "Death Gully", which leads to a more reasonable Mystery Canyon, a super fun canyon with a seasonal lake and a couple of gret rappels, especially the last two. The first of which makes you walk along a slanted ledge with a permanent rope as protection leading to the anchors, and the second which follows a trickling waterfall right into the Virgin River Narrows, where people are bound to ask you "How did you get up there?" Follow the Zion Narrows and Riverside Walk Trail until you get to the Temple of Sinawava and catch the shuttle back to the Zion Visitor Center or wherever you left your car.

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Start of the East Mesa Trail from Weeping Rock.
Start of the East Mesa Trail from Weeping Rock.
The trail is paved much of the way, but it's really popular and used to access Observation Point.
The trail is paved much of the way, but it's really popular and used to access Observation Point.
Gorgeous section along the trail as it enter Echo Canyon.
Gorgeous section along the trail as it enter Echo Canyon.
Higher up on our way to the top of the trail.
Higher up on our way to the top of the trail.
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The trail switchbacks quite a bit as it heads up the face.
The trail switchbacks quite a bit as it heads up the face.
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View south, back into Echo Canyon.
View south, back into Echo Canyon.
At the top of the mesa where the trail levels out. We continued east along the East Mesa Trail rather than continuing to Observation Point, seen ahead in this photo.
At the top of the mesa where the trail levels out. We continued east along the East Mesa Trail rather than continuing to Observation Point, seen ahead in this photo.
Along the East Mesa Trail.
Along the East Mesa Trail.
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The head of Mystery Canyon.
The head of Mystery Canyon.
Very steep descent on horrible terrain.
Very steep descent on horrible terrain.
Entering Mystery Canyon.
Entering Mystery Canyon.
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Fun little Class 2 obstacles.
Fun little Class 2 obstacles.
And then we were at the first rappel.
And then we were at the first rappel.
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Seasonal little pond that's currently dry.
Seasonal little pond that's currently dry.
Short ascent past the pond up an old rockfall.
Short ascent past the pond up an old rockfall.
Descent into the rest of Mystery Canyon.
Descent into the rest of Mystery Canyon.
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We reached the coolest part of Mystery Canyon.
We reached the coolest part of Mystery Canyon.
A safety rope leads out to a ledge, a massive sheer face directly in front of us.
A safety rope leads out to a ledge, a massive sheer face directly in front of us.
Matt rappeling into a nice grotto.
Matt rappeling into a nice grotto.
Bottom of the rappel seen below.
Bottom of the rappel seen below.
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Looking back at the pretty rappel.
Looking back at the pretty rappel.
Onward to the final rappel.
Onward to the final rappel.
Image 37 from gallery
Down into the narrows we go! We took the narrows back to Temple of Sinawava.
Down into the narrows we go! We took the narrows back to Temple of Sinawava.

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!