rcwild
06-06-2008, 02:45 PM
A true hidden gem, Spry Canyon offers all the charm and technical challenges of Pine Creek or Mystery without the crowds. Scenic, and lots of rappelling.
Rating: 3B III
Time Required: ~5-7 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~170 Feet
Permit Information
Permits required and can be obtained at the Zion NP Visitor Center.
Camping/Lodging
There are campgrounds in Zion NP, numerous hotels in nearby Springdale and plenty of primitive camping in the vicinity.
Preferred Season
Spring and fall can be cool, summer allows you to leave the wetsuit at home
Water Concerns
Occasionally up to chest deep wading
Special Challenges
This canyon is fairly straight forward. Downclimbs and short drops can be easily belayed and sequenced, most experienced person coming down last. Exposure to water is brief.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 2 200’ foot ropes, ~50’ of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, wetsuit depending on weather
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Springdale East’
Directions to Trailhead
From the Zion Visitor Center head north on Utah Hwy. 9 past Zion Canyon junction. You will want to spot a car in the parking space available on the east side of the first switchback next to Pine Creek. Have a good look at the exit and spot the trail down the grass covered sand dune. It'll save you a lot of grief when you exit. Continue in your second vehicle through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. After exiting the east portal of the tunnel drive past the Pine Creek parking area and leave your car at the second turn-out on the right about 1/3 mile past the tunnel.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
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Approach
From the parking area, turn out, walk a short distance east on Utah Hwy. 9 to where is crosses Upper Pine Creek. Upper Pine Creek is the second drainage coming in from the left after exiting the east portal of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Head north up the sandy wash of Upper Pine Creek a little over one half mile. The canyon opens up a bit and you will see a broad bowl to the left that will take you to the saddle between The East Temple and Deertrap Mountain. Ascend these mostly easy ledges with a few exposed 4th class sections to the saddle. Once on the saddle bear right and gain entrance to the upper slot of Spry Canyon along the southeast flank of Twin Brothers. Descend this short slot into an open, southwest facing bowl. The canyon begins to form up as you pass between The East Temple and Twin Brothers. A short bit of walking through the brush will bring you to the first drop.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
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Description
The first drop is a 170' low angle slab with a bolt and fixed angle piton used for the anchor on the left. Rappel down to the pothole below and beyond another twenty feet to dry ground. This obstacle can be down-climbed by a good climber but it is easy and safe to rappel. More drops, both short and long with minimal water exposure in normal conditions provide plenty of fun and excitement. For maximum enjoyment (and to minimize social trails) stay directly in the drainage. The downclimbs and drops in this bit are short and fairly moderate.
Exit
After the last drop the historical exit traverses high and right staying near the bottom of the Navajo sandstone cliffs until you reach the top of the grass covered sand dune. (You can see the old trail down this dune from the switch back where you left your car.) This sand dune is eroding badly and becoming quite an eye sore. Instead of using the historical descent, stay directly in the drainage after the final rappel descending through talus and boulders to the top of a cliff band mid-way down to Pine Creek. From the top of the cliff band traverse right a short distance to where you can descend. Work you way back into the drainage and complete you descent.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
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Rating: 3B III
Time Required: ~5-7 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~170 Feet
Permit Information
Permits required and can be obtained at the Zion NP Visitor Center.
Camping/Lodging
There are campgrounds in Zion NP, numerous hotels in nearby Springdale and plenty of primitive camping in the vicinity.
Preferred Season
Spring and fall can be cool, summer allows you to leave the wetsuit at home
Water Concerns
Occasionally up to chest deep wading
Special Challenges
This canyon is fairly straight forward. Downclimbs and short drops can be easily belayed and sequenced, most experienced person coming down last. Exposure to water is brief.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 2 200’ foot ropes, ~50’ of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, wetsuit depending on weather
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Springdale East’
Directions to Trailhead
From the Zion Visitor Center head north on Utah Hwy. 9 past Zion Canyon junction. You will want to spot a car in the parking space available on the east side of the first switchback next to Pine Creek. Have a good look at the exit and spot the trail down the grass covered sand dune. It'll save you a lot of grief when you exit. Continue in your second vehicle through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. After exiting the east portal of the tunnel drive past the Pine Creek parking area and leave your car at the second turn-out on the right about 1/3 mile past the tunnel.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
From the parking area, turn out, walk a short distance east on Utah Hwy. 9 to where is crosses Upper Pine Creek. Upper Pine Creek is the second drainage coming in from the left after exiting the east portal of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Head north up the sandy wash of Upper Pine Creek a little over one half mile. The canyon opens up a bit and you will see a broad bowl to the left that will take you to the saddle between The East Temple and Deertrap Mountain. Ascend these mostly easy ledges with a few exposed 4th class sections to the saddle. Once on the saddle bear right and gain entrance to the upper slot of Spry Canyon along the southeast flank of Twin Brothers. Descend this short slot into an open, southwest facing bowl. The canyon begins to form up as you pass between The East Temple and Twin Brothers. A short bit of walking through the brush will bring you to the first drop.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description
The first drop is a 170' low angle slab with a bolt and fixed angle piton used for the anchor on the left. Rappel down to the pothole below and beyond another twenty feet to dry ground. This obstacle can be down-climbed by a good climber but it is easy and safe to rappel. More drops, both short and long with minimal water exposure in normal conditions provide plenty of fun and excitement. For maximum enjoyment (and to minimize social trails) stay directly in the drainage. The downclimbs and drops in this bit are short and fairly moderate.
Exit
After the last drop the historical exit traverses high and right staying near the bottom of the Navajo sandstone cliffs until you reach the top of the grass covered sand dune. (You can see the old trail down this dune from the switch back where you left your car.) This sand dune is eroding badly and becoming quite an eye sore. Instead of using the historical descent, stay directly in the drainage after the final rappel descending through talus and boulders to the top of a cliff band mid-way down to Pine Creek. From the top of the cliff band traverse right a short distance to where you can descend. Work you way back into the drainage and complete you descent.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
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