Mystery Canyon via East Mesa Trail in Zion National Park, UT

Canyoneer Mystery Canyon via East Mesa Trail Zion National Park, UT

Class 2 3B III (120 ft max) 6.4 miles 700 gain 5-7 hrs Shuttle Jul 3, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mystery Canyon via East Mesa Trail 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.

A shorter and less strenuous version that requires a shuttle compared to the Mystery Canyon from Weeping Rock route. Hike along 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 few of great rappels, especially the last two. The second to last rappel makes you walk along a slanted ledge with a fixed line as protection leading to the anchors, and the last rappel 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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Starting along the East Mesa Trail.
Starting along the East Mesa Trail.
Looking back the way we came. You can see the Zion cliffs on the right as you walk.
Looking back the way we came. You can see the Zion cliffs on the right as you walk.
Approaching the steep entrance to Mystery Canyon.
Approaching the steep entrance to Mystery Canyon.
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At the base after descending.
At the base after descending.
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First rappel.
First rappel.
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Scot striking his best canyoneering pose. We take this very seriously.
Scot striking his best canyoneering pose. We take this very seriously.
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The first series of rappels ends and opens up into a wide canyon.
The first series of rappels ends and opens up into a wide canyon.
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Another really pretty rappel during the hike through the wider section.
Another really pretty rappel during the hike through the wider section.
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Seasonal lake, currently dried up.
Seasonal lake, currently dried up.
Up a boulder field.
Up a boulder field.
Looking down into the end of Mystery Canyon.
Looking down into the end of Mystery Canyon.
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An epic rappel coming up...
An epic rappel coming up...
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.
Looking up at Scot coming down the rappel.
Looking up at Scot coming down the rappel.
Scot nearing the bottom of the rap.
Scot nearing the bottom of the rap.
Continuing down the canyon.
Continuing down the canyon.
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Looking back the way we came.
Looking back the way we came.
Approaching the final rappel into the Narrows.
Approaching the final rappel into the Narrows.
Here it comes...
Here it comes...
Awesome.
Awesome.
Scot coming down.
Scot coming down.
The rappel is on the right.
The rappel is on the right.
Continuing down the Narrows.
Continuing down the Narrows.
Along the Riverside Walk after exiting the narrows, which leads to the shuttle.
Along the Riverside Walk after exiting the narrows, which leads to the shuttle.

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!