Middle Echo Canyon 3B

[rcwild]

Rating: 3B II
Time Required: 3-6 hours
Longest Rappel: 30 feet (10M)

Preferred Season
Summer or Fall. In the winter/spring snow avalanches into the canyon create snow-bridges that might not be gone even in the early summer.

Water Concerns
Several cold pools that may be swimmers or wades. Wetsuits recommended in all but the hottest weather.

Special Challenges
In the winter snow avalanches into the canyon creating snow/ice-bridges that may still be present in the early summer, depending on the sow year. Up until the first week of July 2008 ice-bridges made this canyon impassable without iceaxes & crampons. When attempting this canyon in the early summer, scout the canyon from the bottom of Middle Echo to see if ice & snow has thawed out. A couple of rescues were needed to rescue those unprepared for the conditions.

There is a small semi-keeper pothole that is easily overcome with a partner assist.

Directions to Trailhead
Weeping Rock shuttle stop.

Approach
Hike up the East Rim trail towards Observation point. After the switchbacks the trail levels out and soon crosses a drainage, this is the bottom of Middle Echo Canyon. Continue hiking along the East Rim/Observation Point Trail. At the junction Observation Point Trail goes straight, DON'T GO THIS WAY. On the right, The East Rim trail follows the rim of Echo towards the east entrance & Cable Mountain. Stay on this trail following the rim of Echo Canyon. After about 1/4 to 1/2 mile of hiking a drainage comes in from the left that the trail descends into and then up and out the other side. Stay on this trail past the drainage for about 50 feet and then find a social trail walking back into the drainage (bypassing a drop) and follow it into Echo, no rappel needed.

Exit
The exit puts you right on the East Rim Trail. Hike down into the main canyon to catch the shuttle.

[rcwild]

Reserved for accident reports from this canyon

[rcwild]

Posted by charlybldr on 18 Dec 2006-12-18

Notes regarding Echo Canyon cross post from
Yahoo Canyons Group

Not too sure where folks are getting info (or lack thereof), but in the last 2 years people are hiking Lower Echo and are unaware maybe of the situation? It is fine to hike Lower Echo with the understanding that one must return (ascend) the same way as entering. Rappeling over Weeping Rock is not permitted. Obviously the folks that have left ropes hanging (2 parties) over Weeping Rock were unaware #1 that it is not permitted, and #2 that the amount of rope taken was not sufficient to allow retrieval. The drop is 450'. The one group this spring awaited help at the last drop because knew that 300' of rope wouldn't even reach at all. If planning to hike Lower Echo, fix ropes and re-ascend. I'm not too sure the amount of rope needed, but remember last year fixing maybe 4-500' of rope? I look forward to getting into Lower Echo again in a week or so.

Thanks,
Bo

[mountain man]

NPS AM Report for 5/27/2009

Zion National Park (UT)
Rangers Conduct Two Similar Rescues In Middle Echo Canyon

On May 19th and 23rd, rangers responded to nearly identical rescues in Middle Echo Canyon, a technical canyoneering route located within the park. Both parties had completed the technical portion of the route but were blocked from exiting the canyon by a 30-foot-high wall of ice and snow. Some members of one party were able to scramble out of the canyon near the snow wall, but the majority of the involved individuals were unable to make it out. Requests for assistance ensued and the SAR teams performed a series of 100-foot raises from the same spot in each incident. Nobody was injured, but some complained of minor hypothermia due to their lack of preparedness for the deep, cold-water wading required on this route. Members of one of the parties received citations for failure to obtain a permit and for creating a hazardous condition. The second rescue may not have been necessary if a required canyoneering permit had been obtained and current canyon conditions checked. Rescue in the canyons of Zion National Park is never guaranteed and always presents some degree of hazard to rescuers and victims. The second rescue team performed technical raises of victims after dark and with lightning in the area. The park has temporarily closed Middle Echo Canyon to recreational use due to visitor safety concerns stemming from these recent rescues and the similarity of the current conditions to those experienced in 2008. Rangers will periodically check canyon conditions and will reopen it to recreational use when the snow and ice obstacles have melted out to a degree which is passable by canyoneers of average ability with standard canyoneering equipment. Canyon District Ranger Kevin Killian was IC for both rescues. [Submitted by Bonnie Schwartz, Chief Ranger]