Mystery Canyon

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Mystery Canyon Canyoneering Canyoning Caving
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Mystery Canyon Banner.jpg

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Difficulty:‌3B III (v3a2 III)
Raps:‌13, max ↨110ft
Metric
Overall:5-9.5h ⟷8mi
Approach: ↑2400ft
Descent: ⟷1.8mi ↓2244ft
Red Tape:‌Permit required
Shuttle:‌
Vehicle:Passenger
Rock type:Sandstone
Location:
Condition Reports:
23 Apr 2025

"First slotty section is very cool, the water was the final couple rappels. Very aesthetic, approachable canyon with hero finish so the permit competit

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Best season:
Spring through fall.
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Introduction[edit]

One of the most coveted canyons in Zion, one of the most difficult permits to get. There is a two-stage lottery for permits. Extreme good luck required to get a weekend permit, but weekday ones are much easier.

This canyons will seem spectacular or mediocre depending on the time of the day you visit it. When the sun is at an angle is when you will experience the canyon glowing with its best colors.

Try to time your arrival at the big rappel for either mid-afternoon or mid-morning.

Approach[edit]

Starts at East Mesa Trailhead on the Ponderosa Ranch Resort and involves a fairly a flat trail hike to the head of the canyon. This route requires a one-hour each-way car fetch, or using a commercial shuttle from Springdale. The parking lot at East Mesa is very small and the dirt road that leads there is rutted in places and impassable when muddy. There is no parking anywhere along the road. A commercial trailhead shuttle is also available from near the entrance to the Ponderosa Ranch Resort that will drop your group off just before the rutted out section of the road adding about .5 miles of road walking.

Historically, one could hike up from Zion Canyon / Weeping Rock shuttle stop up the East Rim trail but this route has been closed due to a series of rockfalls since 2019 and there are no current plans to reopen that section of the trail.

Descent[edit]

Mystery canyon is noted for the variety of terrain it offers.

The adventure starts with a steep descent down "The Death Gully" (no deaths reported to date). It is important to find the correct small trail, as off-trail descent of this slope is gruesome. Descend the Death Gully. Hike down the wooded canyon floor with a few short downclimbs. (A bolt anchor is available at most of the downclimbs, for those who would prefer a short rappel.) At the end of the wooded canyon is the Rock Narrows, a series of about six rappels one after the other. All anchors are two-bolt anchors.

After the Rock Narrows, the canyon widens and becomes wooded again. A brief walk leads to the Mystery Canyon seasonal lake, which is a dry or muddy flat unless it has rained in the last few days. A three hundred foot pile of sand and rocks blocks the canyon, creating the lake. Climb the sand pile on the right margin, then down the other side. A bit more hiking, a rappel and a few downclimbs leads to the spectacular final section.

An easy but exposed walk out to a bolt anchor (safety line usually in place) leads to a rappel into Mystery Springs and a two-stroke swim. The canyon has a small flow from this point. A couple slimy downclimbs including into a short swim leads to the final rappel next to Mystery Falls into The Narrows.

Exit[edit]

Walk down The Narrows about 20 minutes to the paved trail, then 20 minutes to the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop.

Red tape[edit]

This canyon requires a permit, and it is one of the most difficult permits to get.

Beta sites[edit]

Trip reports and media[edit]

Background[edit]

The Mystery Canyon Downclimb Challenge: all drops other than the final rappel have been downclimbed on belay.

Credits

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).

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