Bclark29
02-23-2015, 07:42 AM
Hey folks, just a quick report for Mystery Canyon.
On the 21st, myself and three good friends did Mystery Canyon. This is my second time doing this easy canyon and since it's impossible to get a permit in the summer the only good time to do it is in the winter season.
The first time I did this canyon we took the Observation Point trail (Weeping rock), if you've done it this way you'll know that it's a beautiful hike but it kinda sucks, with the 2,400 vertical foot elevation gain and all. So, this time we hired a shuttle for 60 ish bucks and headed up to the Zion Ponderosa area and went for the East Mesa Trail head. This way is so easy and I highly recommend it.
78051
From the trail head we hiked the flat trail for about 45 minutes until we reached this view...
78050
Most of you have seen this beautiful view. It's just spectacular. But, then you look down and think, "shit, I gotta get down there now!" If you took the Weeping Rock way, you'll really be hating it after working hard gaining that 2,400'.
As we headed down that steep slope to reach the beginning of Mystery, we took a few spills on the patches of ice and our quads were pretty jell-o-e. That slop is pretty damn steep.
78052
78053
As we neared the bottom we encountered a very over bolted section of easy down climbs.
78054
After a handful of down climbs we entered the Mystery.
78055
78056
78057
78058
78061
Like my shirt?
Since this canyon is so popular all the anchors are well kept up and all the webbing was new.
Eventually the canyon opens up and you approach the beautiful Devils Hole. Has anyone seen this full of water? I think that would be quiet the sight.
78059
78060
The weather was a beautiful 65 ish degrees and slightly overcast. Inside the canyon was a little cooler but not bad at all. After we finished a quick food recharge break we headed on down to the Mystery Springs rappel. I haven't download the pictures from this rappel yet but I'm sure most of you have already seen it. However, I will say that I was glad I put my wet suit on first before I descended down to the spring pool because it was cold (or I'm just a big sissy). I know, I know, you're thinking sissy. I'm a fan of 60 meter ropes and pull chords so that was our setup for the springs rappel and the final rap into the narrows.
And here's a final picture of a picture of the last rappel. This rappel is sweet, it's pretty damn slippery going down so be careful.
78062
Sunday morning we woke up to a few inches of snow on the ground at the Desert Pearl. (Damn straight we stay at the Pearl. Plus they have a bidet. Nothing beats a good rinse after a good.....
One the way home to Salt Lake it was snowing pretty good and our quads needed a good soak so we stopped at the Meadow hot springs.
78063
The End.
On the 21st, myself and three good friends did Mystery Canyon. This is my second time doing this easy canyon and since it's impossible to get a permit in the summer the only good time to do it is in the winter season.
The first time I did this canyon we took the Observation Point trail (Weeping rock), if you've done it this way you'll know that it's a beautiful hike but it kinda sucks, with the 2,400 vertical foot elevation gain and all. So, this time we hired a shuttle for 60 ish bucks and headed up to the Zion Ponderosa area and went for the East Mesa Trail head. This way is so easy and I highly recommend it.
78051
From the trail head we hiked the flat trail for about 45 minutes until we reached this view...
78050
Most of you have seen this beautiful view. It's just spectacular. But, then you look down and think, "shit, I gotta get down there now!" If you took the Weeping Rock way, you'll really be hating it after working hard gaining that 2,400'.
As we headed down that steep slope to reach the beginning of Mystery, we took a few spills on the patches of ice and our quads were pretty jell-o-e. That slop is pretty damn steep.
78052
78053
As we neared the bottom we encountered a very over bolted section of easy down climbs.
78054
After a handful of down climbs we entered the Mystery.
78055
78056
78057
78058
78061
Like my shirt?
Since this canyon is so popular all the anchors are well kept up and all the webbing was new.
Eventually the canyon opens up and you approach the beautiful Devils Hole. Has anyone seen this full of water? I think that would be quiet the sight.
78059
78060
The weather was a beautiful 65 ish degrees and slightly overcast. Inside the canyon was a little cooler but not bad at all. After we finished a quick food recharge break we headed on down to the Mystery Springs rappel. I haven't download the pictures from this rappel yet but I'm sure most of you have already seen it. However, I will say that I was glad I put my wet suit on first before I descended down to the spring pool because it was cold (or I'm just a big sissy). I know, I know, you're thinking sissy. I'm a fan of 60 meter ropes and pull chords so that was our setup for the springs rappel and the final rap into the narrows.
And here's a final picture of a picture of the last rappel. This rappel is sweet, it's pretty damn slippery going down so be careful.
78062
Sunday morning we woke up to a few inches of snow on the ground at the Desert Pearl. (Damn straight we stay at the Pearl. Plus they have a bidet. Nothing beats a good rinse after a good.....
One the way home to Salt Lake it was snowing pretty good and our quads needed a good soak so we stopped at the Meadow hot springs.
78063
The End.