Las Vegas Rock Climbing, Bouldering & Canyoneering Group

August 30, 2009 8:00 AM - 8 attended

Echo Canyon - Zion National Park Canyoneering

Zion National Park (map)

Selected By: Debbie

76 photos of this Meetup

Uploaded by: Mark, John "the yellow dart" Huang

The Echo Canyon trail is the oldest trail in and out of Zion Canyon. Just prior to the turn of the 20th century, Utah Pioneer John Winder reworked the existing Paiute trail up Echo Canyon to drive cattle up to the rim. He was only partially successful, as the trail was still extremely precarious.

Subterranean is the best description for Echo Canyon. This is a splendid journey deep within the sandstone, with a couple short rappels and a handful of short but extremely cold swims, then a splendid exit through interesting narrows with fabulous acoustics. Echo is well hidden and its water remains very cold through the summer.Wetsuits are VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for Echo even in high summer. More protection will be needed in less than blazing hot conditions.

This is a fun 4-5 hour diversion off of the main Weeping Rock to Observation Point/Cable Mountain trail. The main trails already wander though Echo Canyon, but about 1/2 a mile into the Cable Mountain route, just past a small wash, you can scramble into the beautiful middle Echo Canyon slot. This route involves a few short 20' rappels and a lot of swimming in some very cold, fairly scummy water; a 50' rope and a wetsuit are recommended. Not so far from the end of the route (which returns you back to the Observation Point trail), is the "Echo Chamber" - a narrow section where you should test out the acoustics. The only bad thing about this route: some of the ponds are rather stagnant and disturbing.

This is being done in conjunction with Cynthia's Zion camping trip. Everyone is on there own for camping. Please be ready to take the Zion shuttle by 8am.

Required gear:
Harness
Helmet
Belay device
Locking biner
Personal anchor
Backpack
Drybags

I have 6 permits.

Mark
Thanks Debbie! Looking forward to it.

Posted August 20, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Shin
Thanks Debbie !

Posted August 20, 2009 at 10:24 AM
David
Thanks Debbie, can't wait.

Posted August 20, 2009 at 9:04 PM
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8 attended

RSVPs closed

5.004 (4 ratings)

Event Host

Debbie

Good times.
Shin

This canyon is one of the most beautiful canyon I have ever hiked. I will try it again. Thanks Debbie !!
Mark

Great canyon and great fun! Nobody knew those 3 guys that were following us, that's for certain.
David
mark rosen
Frenchy
Sha
A former member

Your organizer's refund policy for Echo Canyon - Zion National Park Canyoneering

Refunds are not offered for this Meetup.

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This Meetup group is unlike most others in that this very dangerous sport is best done in very small groups of people that you know and trust with your life. It is a great place to meet other fellow climbers, boulderers, and canyoneers. If you are expecting to have teaching events posted to help you learn to climb or canyoneer, you will be disappointed. While there are some folks who will invite others to join them where ever it is that they are going to be climbing, most use the site for the message boards to meet up with other folks who already are climbers. You can take belay and climbing lessons at the 2 gyms, and you can attend the gym posts or post on the message boards in the hopes that someone is willing to share their knowledge with you. Basically you will need to be PROACTIVE to find a climbing partner if you are new. You can also hire a GUIDE to teach you to climb and then be proactive here to find other folks to do it with. Once per year in March, there are "Learn to Climb" clinics available at the annual rock climbing festival at RedRock. That event will be posted here on this site. Be aware of our disclaimer below. Welcome to the group!

Disclaimer of Liability

CLIMBING IS A DANGEROUS SPORT! Involvement in rock climbing carries a significant risk of personal injury or death. CLIMB AT YOUR OWN RISK!

If you climb, you may die or be seriously injured. This is true whether you are experienced or not, trained or not, equipped or not, though training and equipment may help. It's a fact, climbing is extremely dangerous. If you don't like it, stay at home. You really shouldn't be doing it anyway. We do not provide supervision or instruction. We are not responsible for, and do not inspect or maintain climbing anchors (including bolts, pitons, slings, trees, etc.) As far as we know, any of them can and will fail and send you plunging to your death. There are countless tons of loose rock ready to be dislodged and fall on you or someone else. There are any number of extremely and unusually dangerous conditions existing on and around the rocks. We may or may not know about any specific hazard, but even if we do, don't expect us to try to warn you. You're on your own. Rocks and other objects can fall from the cliffs. They can tumble down slopes. This can happen naturally, or be caused by people above you, such as climbers. Rocks of all sizes, including huge boulders, can shift, move or fall with no warning. Use of helmets is advised for anyone approaching the rock. They won't save you if you get hit by something big or on another part of your body. A whole rock formation might collapse on you and squash you like a bug. Don't think it can't happen! CLIMBING IS A DANGEROUS SPORT! Involvement in rock climbing carries a significant risk of personal injury or death. CLIMB AT YOUR OWN RISK!