This will be my last trip to Zion National Park for a few months.

We will be camping in Zion and hitting Mystery Canyon and Subway. I have 6 permits.

Mystery Canyon is a relatively known canyon in Zion National Park that is sought after by many canyoneers but only twelve hikers per day are allowed to venture within. For this reason, the canyon shows relatively low impact compared to some others such as the Zion Narrows, Orderville Canyon and Subway. The route begins down a slippery slope, then drops through a beautiful slot canyon section. When it opens up, it's into a spring with nice vegetation around charming pools. The end is a spectacular rappel through the first waterfall in the Zion Narrows. Mystery Canyon is a canyon requires good physical conditioning and takes a full day for most. Although this tight narrow canyon with a spectacular grand finale rappel into the Zion Narrows is truly a mysterious canyon the name was given because the source of the falls were a mystery. For the approach, we will start at the Weeping Rock Trailhead and hike the more demanding path up the East Rim Trail dropping into Mystery Canyon just short of Observation Point. Time needed: 8-9 hours.

The mystical journey through the Left Fork of North Creek (Subway) involves route finding, plunging cautiously into chilly pools then sloshing, sometimes frantically, through frigid water over and through difficult obstacles. The narrow Subway section of this hike forces hikers through a unique tunnel sculpted by the Left Fork of North Creek. Churning water chisels the rock floor, forming shallow potholes that fill to the brim with frosty water. Silhouettes dance freely on multi-colored walls where only a trickle of sun light penetrates into the curved chamber of the Subway. Falling water echoes in the nature carved tunnel where dragonflies dart, frogs laze about and shimmering emerald pools tempt cold hikers to dawdle. Before long, the promise of daylight urges an exit to the warmth of the sun waiting outside the Subway. The canyon widens as hikers cross back and forth across the creek, making their way to the grueling uphill exit.

The plan: I have a group camp site for Friday and Saturday nights. We are allowed up to 12 people and 4 cars. Please set up carpools on your own. I will be leaving Vegas right after work on Friday. If you would like to camp only and get your own permits for another canyon, please contact me directly.

Saturday morning we will head out to Mystery Canyon. There is a 2 hour approach from Weeping Rock, so we will leave early (around 7am). Saturday night plans are open... we can do a potluck or go out to eat.

Sunday morning we will pack up camp and head out around 9 for Subway. We will probably enter through Russel Gulch. We will head back to Vegas when we're done.

Fees: There will be a charge of $6 for permits for both days and $9 for camping both nights.

Gear: The usual...harness, belay device, gloves, locking biners, pas/slings, helmet, wetsuit, canyoneering or water shoes. I will bring the rope, pull cord, etc.