Pine Creek has to be the most popular technical canyon in Zion. It is a truly amazing canyon, and well worth the popularity it has attained. The canyon has a half a dozen rappels, but all are straight forward. It is a good introduction to Zion canyoneering, and suitable to all groups with competent leadership. Pine Creek Gorge Slot Canyon 12 Utah Staycations Home Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended.
- Pine Creek Technical Slot Canyon
- Pine Creek Technical Slot Canyon Park
- Pine Creek Technical Slot Canyon Park
- Pine Creek Technical Slot Canyon
Pine Creek Gorge Slot Canyon
Pine Creek is a technical slot canyon that is not only spectacular, but it has an easy off the highway entrance and a fairly easy exit. These two factors make it a popular slot canyon even though the actual slot is just as difficult as many of Zion slot canyons. The lighting in the cathedral of Pine Creek creates a mystical setting in the bowels of the canyon that draws canyoneers through its passage time and time again.
Zion – Mount Carmel Highway
Hurricane, UT84737
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Slot Canyons
Difficulty: Easy, for the hiking
Management: NPS - within Zion National Park
Rocks: Navajo sandstone
Season: Spring, summer, fall
Trailhead:Parking area just east of the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel. Other pullouts are located a little way east
Rating (1-5):★★★★★
Topographic Map of Pine Creek
Location
The upper end of the slot canyon may be entered by walking down the sandy banks at the far side of a small carpark just before the east entrance of the Zion-Mt Carmel tunnel, and opposite the start of the popular Canyon Overlook Trail. If the carpark is full, as is often the case, there are other places to leave vehicles a little way further along the main road. For those descending the whole canyon, a car shuttle may be needed - either that or hitch-hiking through the tunnel back to the trailhead.
Permit
A $30 Zion National Park entry fee is required to reach this area, plus a permit for all those who rappel into the canyon (2020 fees: 1-2 people: $15, 3-7 people: $20, 8-12 people: $25) - according to new regulations introduced in 2000 and subsequently extended, this is necessary for all slot canyon exploration within the park that involves overnight back-country travel and/or rope-assisted climbing. Permits may be obtained up to three days in advance, from one of the two park visitor centers, or online.
Route Description
Pine Creek is quite interesting upstream - after a short walk from the carpark the drainage forms a deep section in which pools persist most of the year, and the long Clear Creek tributary also has many narrow places. In the other direction, the true slot canyon begins directly under the road bridge but very soon a dryfall puts an end to easy progress. A belay point on the right indicates the only way to continue - with several long ropes (up to 150 feet) and rappelling experience all of the short but deep slot can be explored, until it opens out into a boulder filled ravine which widens further to the wide valley beneath the rock formation known as Great Arch, as the stream meanders towards its confluence with the East Fork of the Virgin River. Up to six rappels are required, plus downclimbing over several chokestones and at least one swim through a 50 foot long pool of water (except maybe during long, dry periods in midsummer) that remains icy cold all year, but Pine Creek is a good place for beginner canyoneers as it is easily accessed and closely monitored by the NPS. A fine overview of the slot can be obtained by walking along the Canyon Overlook Trail, high above the narrows.
Pine Creek Technical Slot Canyon
Echo Canyon
Hidden Canyon
Kanarra Creek
Keyhole Canyon
Kolob Creek
Mineral Gulch
Misery Canyon
North Creek, Left Fork
Orderville Canyon
Parunuweap Canyon
Poverty Wash
Red Canyon (Peek-a-Boo Canyon)
Red Hollow & Spring Hollow
Sand Wash (Red Cave)
Spring Creek
Taylor Creek, Middle Fork
Zion Canyon Narrows
Pine Creek Technical Slot Canyon Park
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Pine Creek Technical Slot Canyon Park
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