Heaps Canyon (North Fork) (Gunsight)
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| | Difficulty:4B V R (v5a2 V) Raps:18, max ↨280ft
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| Best season: | Summer; early Fall
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37.2802, -112.9759
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Introduction[edit]
A narrow canyon that can be used to access Heaps or Isaac canyon.
Approach[edit]
Descent[edit]
Work your way down the slope until you come to a point where you must rappel.
Rappel 1: 105 feet off a large tree LDC. There is a small ledge near the bottom you can use to pull a 200ft rope set for the length of the rappel.
Scramble down the dirt slope into the canyon. It is very narrow for the next 4-5 rappels.
Rappel 6: 130' Anchored off a tree RDC. A broad slab with a narrow crack at the bottom. Might be able to down-climb but watch out for slippery sand.
Rappel 7:
Exit[edit]
Once at the crossroads you have 2 choices, turn left and head down Heaps, which will require wetsuits/drysuits, pothole escapes and a long multi-stage rappel ending in a 290 mostly free-hanging rap. Or you can make a right at the crossroads, head up-canyon for
Red tape[edit]
Permits[edit]
Permits are required with a group-size limit of 6 people.
The permit system is complicated and is no longer administered by the park service. However, it is advisable to start at the park's webpage for canyoneering permit information when looking for permits and details about how they are obtained and other regulations and timeframes. Zion NP Canyoneering Permits: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/canyoneeringpermits.htm
Vehicle (Yellow) Passes[edit]
If you are starting Heaps or Imlay from the main Zion Canyon floor and hiking up the West Rim Trail, the park WILL issue you a vehicle pass. This is because these canyons require an early start—well before the in-canyon shuttles begin operating for the day—and you’ll need a permit to drive up Zion Canyon and leave a vehicle at the trailhead.
If you are starting from Lava Point, however, the park WILL NOT issue a vehicle pass. Even though you’ll be relying on the in-canyon shuttle to return at the end of the day, the Park’s reasoning is that since you can reach Lava Point on your own schedule, you should be able to start early enough to complete the canyon and catch the last shuttle without needing to leave a vehicle in Zion Canyon.
It's possible that some rangers better understand the implications of the policy and may be willing to issue vehicle passes for those doing the top-down route. Rangers do have some discretion, but the above information is based on the official policy and email correspondence with the Zion Wilderness Desk.
Beta sites[edit]
RoadTripRyan.com : Heaps Canyon
Zion Canyoneering Book by Tom Jones : Heaps via Gunsight- Super Amazing Map : Heaps Canyon
Trip reports and media[edit]
- Dennis Turville on Canyon Tales : Heaps Canyon (via Gunsight), September 23-25, 1981
- Dennis Turville on Canyon Tales : Desscent info for Heaps Canyon (via Gunsight), September 23-25, 1981
- Bo Beck on Canyon Tales : A First Trip in Heaps, June 1993 (via Gunsight)
- Ram on Canyon Tales : Escape from Heaps
