Pine Creek Canyon
Zion National Park
Technical Canyoneering
August 2008
Most canyoneering involves either a grueling approach or retreat hike, usually both. With Pine Creek your first rappel into a narrow slot begins within 100-yards of the trailhead and the fun does not stop until you complete the route several hours later. In between you will complete five rappels, swim several cold pools and wade about one mile of stream.
General Information: Pine Creek is a technical canyoneering adventure that will require 4 to 5 hours to complete. You will require complete technical gear.
The highest rappel in Pine Creek is 96-feet and will requires one 60 meter rope (or two 50-meter ropes). Leave your bolt kit at home. This canyon is already extremely over bolted. There are plenty of natural, easy to spot anchors at every rappel. Bring 50 feet of extra webbing, several slings and a couple of rappel rings and you can eliminate the extra weight of a bolt kit. Navigation for this adventure is considered pretty easy.
Pine Creek has the ability to hold a large amount of water. This canyon can be completely dry or contain long, cold sections of swimming depending on recent weather. If you encounter a short swim across a pothole to reach the first rappel anchor you are in for major swimming since the canyon will be completely filled with water. If you encounter wading to cross the pothole before the first rappel you will encounter wading of approximately equal depth in the canyon. If the pothole before the first anchor is dry the canyon probably contains little if any water. I pass this observation on since it is only 100 yards from the first rappel anchor back to the trailhead where you can re-equip to match canyon conditions. If you want to be guaranteed of staying warm than always bring a wetsuit.
Pine Creek Canyon is rated 3B II using the Canyon Rating System. You will need a Zion backcountry permit to enter Pine Creek Canyon. Pine Creek has a serious flash flood danger, check the weather report at the Visitor Center when you pick up your permit.
Trailhead Information:
Stop at the visitor center and pick up a permit. Your permit will probably be checked at the trailhead by the ranger manning the Zion Tunnel kiosk.
Take Highway 9 west from the visitors center towards the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. The hike ends at the 2nd switchback up Highway 9 (second from either direction). If you have a second car this is where you want to leave it. This is the Lower Trailhead. If you don't have a second car it is easy to find a ride through the tunnel after you complete the canyon. Displaying a large, easy to read sign stating "Next Trailhead" will speed up the hitching process. This is also a good time to take 5 minutes and walk down to the creek so you will recognize your exit point.
Drive through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel and park in the small parking lot on the right. This is the Upper Trailhead. This is also the trailhead for the very popular Pine Creek Canyon Overlook hike. If you have a few extra minutes this hike will let you view a portion of your route from above and is worth the effort.
Route Information:
From Upper Trailhead (N37° 12' 47", W112° 56' 26") enter the streambed next to the vault toilet. Hike downstream under the Highway 9 bridge. Within 100 yards you will reach a short downclimb and a pothole with two bolted rappel anchors easily visible on the far side of the pothole against the right hand wall.
Rappel from the first anchor into the pothole, do not pull your rope, walk to the edge of the pothole and rappel to the canyon bottom. Continuing down canyon you will almost immediately encounter the second rappel, which is a short drop to the canyon floor.
The third rappel is 45 feet from bolted anchors and deposits you in a large cavern known as the "Cathedral". This is one of the most incredible places to be found in any slot canyon and is very photogenic.
The Cathedral is followed by a very deep dark section of narrows. The remainder of the narrows are an enjoyable concoction of downclimbing, scrambling, wading and swimming. After the canyon begins to open up you will encounter the last two rappels. The first of which is 40 feet down a steep slope from a bolted anchor. The anchor is located on the north (right) side of the canyon.
Click to see the last (scary) rapple in pine creek. 96 feet free hanging!
The final rappel is very spectacular. The anchors for the final rappel are not visible from up canyon. When you reach the pour-off into the magnificent grotto you must climb up the rock to the left (south) to a ledge about 10 feet above the floor of the canyon. Follow the ledge down canyon for approximately 35 feet and you will notice the final anchors next to a small arch. In past times the arch was used as the rappel anchors but this is now considered inappropriate. An excellent bolt station has been established near the arch. This bolt station has the added advantage that ropes do not get stuck in the grooves next to the arch as in years past. The drop is a 96-foot free hanging rappel, which is a little scary for I found myself gasping to catch my breath that was drawn out of me when i first looked down as I was dangling from the rope.
The final rappel ends in a radiant spring feed grotto, which is a good place to pack up technical gear, explore, rest and enjoy lunch.
The remaining hike is rugged and involves boulder hopping, scrambling and wading. It is a fun hike but a little anticlimactic after the incredible slot you have just passed through. The Lower Trailhead (N37° 12' 52", W112° 57' 28") is visible from the stream if you keep your eyes open, the retaining wall around the switchback is easy to see from the streambed. There are several large swimming holes in this area that are popular with the locals.
