West Zion: Cave Valley to Hoo Doo View Points

Rating: About 3.5 miles with around 700 feet total climbing. Under five hours total. Mostly easy to moderate, but with several steep strenuous climbs on the red rock. Some sand and a few bushes along the approach and return. Altitude is about 6000 feet.

There is one short, moderately strenuous and steep rock climbing section, but the falling hazard is low-to-moderate. Advanced climbing skills are not necessary for this hike.

Zion's backcountry hike limit: 12 hikers, 6 hikers per group.

This hike is in conjunction with Red Rock Hiking and the 12 persons allowed s being split between the two groups. So you may be able to get onto this hike with the other group if this one is full.
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Do you like red rock hoodoos and beautiful views? Do you like scrambling around on them? Then this is the hike for you. We're talking a miles-long red rock ridge, 300 feet high, and all broken out with hoodoos along its length. Most of the sides are too sheer to climb, but there are "easier" ways up and down if you know where to look.

It's Cool Fall, thus the afternoon start and warm, slanted light on the hoodoos will be pure magic as we approach sunset. :)

The route-climb up onto the ridge might be slightly difficult for complete beginners. It's kinda steep in places. This hoo doo trek is after our mostly level approach through Cave Valley offering views and experiences of perhaps spiritual haunts of our ancients. But there are easier approaches to the higher hoo doos we can show you. Experienced red-rockers as well as newbies will not have any problem with it.

We may see hidden among the highest hoodoos reflective pools that fill up during winter rains and shrink all summer. It's possible that even the deepest pool will have dried out by now, alas.
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Overall it's a fun afternoon scramble and climb with easier alternative approaches, We can regroup across the road at Lamb's Knoll picnic area to watch the sunset and have a snack before our drive back to town.

Prep: 2 big bottles of water, good gloves for the rock-gripping, stout shoes, a sun hat, and some food. And bring that camera! ;-)

Meet: We meet at the Davis Market in La Verkin at 1pm. Then it's 22 miles paved driving up Kolob Reservoir Road to the roadside trailhead in West Zion.

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Notice:

Meetup organizers are not touring guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.