This is a moderately strenuous 2 day, 15.8 mile round trip, with an ascent of 2136' to Cable Mountain. The path is shared with the East Rim Trail for the first 5.5 miles. Begin the hike at the east entrance to Zion Park by the entrance station. The start of the trail is hot so begin the hike early in the day.
At a Glance Photo Album:Cable Mountain Pictures Trail Map:Cable Mountain Map Day Hike: Can be done as a long day hike but usually done as a backpack. Distance: 16 Miles (one way using shuttle) Average Hiking Time: 10 hours one way trip (using shuttle) Trail Usage: Moderate Difficulty: Steady climb throughout the hike, then a steep decline at the end. Well maintained trail makes for easier hiking. Sun Exposure: Full sun in most places. Bring lots of water and begin early. Permits: not needed unless camping. Trail Conditions: Well maintained trail with rock and dirt on the approach and paved trail on the exit. Trailhead: East Rim Trailhead 150 yards west of the east gate of Zion National Park. Trailend: Weeping Rock parking lot in Zion Canyon. Best season: Early summer or fall , but this is a nice mid summer hike as well if the hike is began early in the day to avoid the heat on the hottest part of the trail. Trail Access: Highway 9 through the park is always open. Late March to October: For a one way hike park a car at the trailhead near the east entrance of the park or use a commercial shuttle. At the end of the trail catch the Zion Canyon Shuttle at the parking lot back to the Zion Canyon Visitor Center, or Canyon Junction where you are parked. If hiking from November to the last part of March, park the second car at the Weeping Rock parking lot in Zion Canyon, since the Zion shuttles do not run at this time of year. Off the Beaten Path: No Classic Zion Hike: Yes Starting Elevation: 5750' Cable Works Elevation: 6798' Restrooms: Restrooms are located at the trailhead near the east entrance fee booth and at the trailend at the Weeping Rock parking lot. Restrooms are located at the trailhead near the east entrance fee booth and at the trailend at the Weeping Rock parking lot. Water Availability: Stave Springs is an unreliable water supply, but it's near the camping sites. Ask at the backcountry desk if its running before heading out to camp.
Cable Mountain Mileage
Jolly Gulch 2.8 miles
Stave Spring 5.5 miles (2.5 hours)
Jct to Cable Mountain 5.7 miles
Cable Works 8.7 miles
Back to East Rim Trail 11.7 miles
Weeping Rock parking lot 16 miles
Best trail features: The East Rim Trail is spectacular, but add the view points of Cable Mountain and Deertrap and its hard to beat. When water is flowing in Jolly Gulch is a special treat.
History: From the top of Cable Mountain the views of Zion Canyon are astonishing and the old cable system is interesting. In 1904 a saw mill opened at Stave Springs. The lumber from the mill was lowered down into Zion Canyon from the cable works. A lightening burt down the cable system in 1911, and eventually everything closed in 1930.
Directions to Zion National Park
From the North: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to Zion's east entrance.
From Arizona: Travel US-89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to the east park entrance.
From the South: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane to LaVerkin. Continue on SR-9 to the south entrance of the park. SR-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway. See restrictions for RV's.
The historic Cable Works with views of the Great White Throne, Angels Landing, Observation Point, and the West rim of Zion below.
Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.
Cable Mountain A second set of switchbacks will be encountered before arriving at the flat and shadier forest section (6730'). The spur to Deertrap Mountain and Cable Mountain is .2 miles past Stave Springs. The mesa top trail to Cable Mountain is a loop back to Stave Springs. Cable Mountain is 3 miles (one way) from this point. After visiting Cable Mountain return the way you came or continue on the impressive East Rim Trail to the Weeping Rock parking lot. Cable Mountain can be seen from a distance along the Hidden Canyon Trail or Observation Point Trail. From these trailheads you will have to look closely at Cable Mountain to see the cable-car system that once existed in Zion National Park. However on the Cable Mountain hike you can sit and have lunch beneath the cable works.
Option: East Rim, Cable Mountain, Deertrap Mountain Backpack
Backpackingoption: Camp at Stave Spring. Day hike to Cable Mountain then back to the Cable Mountain/ Deertrap Mountain junction (not Stave Springs) then to Deertrap Mountain, back to Stave Springs and end at the Weeping Rock parking lot. Total mileage: 20-miles
Optional side hikes:
Deertrap Mountain is an 8 mile round trip from the junction with the East Rim Trail with incredible views of Angels Landing, Great White Throne, Mountain of the Sun, Twin Brothers, Beehives, Court of the Patriarchs and the West Temple.
Hidden Canyon is located toward the end of the East Rim/Observation Point trail. From the canyon entrance its .5 miles to the 20' freestanding arch and then it is possible to continue about .6 more miles through the canyon.
Observation Point is about 4 miles round trip from the Observation Point//East Rim junction. Marvelous views of Zion Canyon can be seen along much of this this hike as well as at the view point at the end of the trail.
Echo Canyon Going through the non-technical section of Echo Canyon, a slot canyon, usually involves getting wet and always requires climbing past obstacles.
Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and zionnational-park.com author Mary Cisneros.
To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more information please visit the Zion National Park Forum
Suggested Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend to hike the trails in Zion National Park. Many quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury.
Mileage from
Mt. Carmel Jct.
Zion National Park 12
Bryce Canyon 60
Grand Canyon 85
Cedar Breaks 45
Grand Staircase 9
Dixie Forest 22
Sand Dunes 11
Coyote Butte 57
Red Canyon 47
Tuweep 90
Stay in a hotel the heart of the parks, Mount Carmel Junction, and visit the treasures of the Southwest and Utah.
This is my new favorite quote:
"I don't know who Mary Cisneros is, but I mean zionnational-park.com
It's a better site than the NPS's anyway."
Written by the authors of the book: Favorite Hikes in and around Zion National Park