Hook Canyon, Zion National Park

Rarely Visted. Hook Canyon is a short canyon that runs north from the pass between Cathedral Mountain and Mount Majestic. It is a convenient and quick exit route from the summit area of these peaks, descending to the bench below the north face of Cathedral, from which the West Rim Trail is easily accessed.

  • Profile
  • Approach
  • The Business
  • Exit
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LOGISTICS
  Rating 3A II  yellow_starEmptyStarEmptyStar
  Season Summer or fall. The north-facing canyon often holds snow into early summer.
  Time Commitment
 Full day from Grotto Trailhead, full route is about 10 miles, canyon takes 2 hours from Pass.
  Longest Rappel
 150 feet (50 m)
  Access
 Begins and ends at Grotto Trailhead.
  Permit Required?
 NO - A permit is not required for ascending peaks in Zion.
  Emergency
 Zion Wilderness Desk: 435-772-0170
Zion EMERGENCY: 435-772-3322
  Seasonal
  Adjustments		 The canyon is filled with snow in the winter and spring, and into early summer.
 

EQUIPMENT
  Essentials Helmets, rappelling gear, webbing and rapid links.
  Cold Water
  Protection		 None
  Drinking Water Bring plenty of water.

 
DIFFICULTIES
  Flash Flood Risk
 Low
  Skills Required
 The approach route requires some exposed, easy rock climbing. The canyon requires no special skills.
  Anchors All anchors are natural in this canyon.

Start by hiking up the West Rim trail and attain the summit plateau of the Majestic/Cathedral massif. The best route is probably Behunin Ridge – the ridge that climbs toward the northern summit of Majestic Mountain from the top of the first rappel in Behunin. Climb steeply from the flat slickrock, then cut left and avoid the sub-peak and attain a loose, steep, brushy gully heading toward the top. The last pitch follows the crest of the ridge, and weaves through trees on steep 4th-class rock to the plateau rim. The ridge is south-facing and steep, and unpleasant in all but the coolest weather.

Cross the Manzanita to the col between Majestic and Cathedral.

Pick a tree right near the head and rap in. Downclimbing and a couple rappels lower in the canyon lead to the bench.

Hike out the mouth of the canyon and a ridge to the left, staying on the slickrock, to the West Rim Trail, then down to the Grotto Trailhead.

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PDF Canyon Guide

A printable canyon description
and map you can take with you.

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Zion: Canyoneering

Have all Zion's classic canyons
in one convenient book.

307behuninBehunin Canyon, Map for Hook Canyon

Detailed Route Maps

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Deluxe Maps

Deluxe maps are available in two formats:

• 1 Mb files in the Map Download Center, designed for printing on 11" x 17" paper 

• Canyoneering Maps for Purchase in the Canyoneering USA Store. Printed maps are 13" x 19", nicely presented on 24 lb. white paper.

 

map100x2000Zion: Central Canyons and Trails

Author's Experience

Brian Cabe and I descended Hook Canyon after climbing Fool's Buttress/Cathedral Mountain on April 1st, 2000. We climbed up the canyon in 2001 (not recommended) to reach Spearhead. And I have been down it one more time after climbing Mt. Majestic.