New here, looking for Zion hike info

[heatheraball]

I am new here and I am hoping to get some input on a decent all-day Zion hike. I am getting ready to climb Rainier in August, so I need something that is pretty much up hill. I was thinking of trying Cable Mountain from Weeping Rock. Anyone know if this is doable in one day?

[uintahiker]

I haven't done it, but it's possible according to this guy:
http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/cablemountain.cfm

Other ideas would be Lady Mountain or Bridge Mountain.

[Deathcricket]

Totally doable. Good hike although I have only done it from the top. But I've seen the trail many times on my way up to observation point. I went and looked it up for you, and it says total distance is 15.8 miles. It's very steep but yeah I think you might even be able to fit observation point in on the down depending how long it takes you. I know Observation point is around 8 miles and I can do it in just under 4-5 hours, depending on how much screwing around in echo canyon we like to do. So if you booked it I would guess a 7-8 hour trip? Keep in mind you can easily track the time and if you don't think you'll make it you can walk back and it will be all downhill, so 2x as fast. Go for it!

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zio...e-mountain.htm

Another good one you might look into is outside zion, but it's called Pine Mountain from the silver reef side. I try to do that at least once a year and it's very steep and hella workout. Right now is a great time because there is still snow up there to keep ya cool. This takes about 6-7 hours round trip, again we like to relax and have lunch on the top, then do some exploring on the summit. There is a really cool meadow back there that's worth killing at least 45 mins in. Other than that, I don't know any cool ones. Lady Mountain is very steep but I think it's like 4-5 miles round trip, not very far.

http://www.utah.com/thingtodo24278.htm

Edit: And here is my facebook pics on Pine mountain
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...7&l=5e23490f38
and Cable Mountain
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...7&l=477772c99c
Just in case you want to see the terrain and such.

[heatheraball]

These are great. I can't wait to hit Pine Mountain / signal peak. I was planning on trying to get up there a couple times this year. The weather here has been so screwy that I was worried it might be too snowy. Is the Pine Mountain too much for my lab? He comes with me up red mountain in Ivins.

[peakbaggers]

Not from around your area, but we visit Zion/St.George/Hurricane annually. If you're doing Rainier, I would suggest you get in all the altitude training you can. Hike/climb as much as you can as high as you can. It won't be the elevation gain alone that stops you, it'll be how high can you go. Pine Mtn. sounds like the best option you have close to home.

[Bo_Beck]

I haven't done it, but it's possible according to this guy:
http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/cablemountain.cfm

Other ideas would be Lady Mountain or Bridge Mountain.

Headed up Lady Mountain tomorrow! Love this hike!

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-lady-mountain.htm

[heatheraball]

I have a week planned in the Wind Rivers, in July. I am hoping to at least make it up Fremont. Otherwise, Pine Mountain will be my only 10,000+ peak before Rainier. Altitude has never been a problem for me, but I'm going to try to get as high as I can as often as I can before Rainier.

[mattandersao]

Your best Southwestern Utah option for altitude and acclimation imho would be the Tushar Range near Beaver. Rather than the 10, 000 ft high Pine Valley, the Tushars have several peaks over 12, 000 ft. Here is a link for a TR I did last July. Another option within a couple hours of SW Utah is Great Basin National Park which has Wheeler Peak (over 13, 000 ft)

[deathtointernet]

I've done Weeping Rock to Cable Mountain several times, in fact just a couple of weeks ago. Totally doable. I've done it in 6-6.5 hours, but of course everyone's time may vary. Be prepared for the fact that the cableworks itself isn't quite so historical anymore (they rebuilt it with timber that looks like it came straight from Home Depot, but what can you do?) Link to my last hike up there: https://picasaweb.google.com/deathtointernet/ZionNationalPark042311EastRimToCableMountainViaWee pingRock?feat=directlink

Pine Valley Mountains are great for hiking (Oak Grove Trail takes some work, Forsyth Canyon is really nice to hike through). Great Basin NP is mostly overlooked by people but I found it to be really great.