A Classic Introduction.

Rapid-fire rappels, beautiful soaring walls, the subterranean nature and constantly changing light & water conditions make Pine Creek a wonderful experience for well-led beginner canyoneers and grizzled veterans alike. The ultimate Zion Classic.

Pine Creek demonstrates the ever-changing nature of Zion canyons. Full of water from spring runoff or recent thunderstorms, it is a freeze-fest requiring thick wet suits to prevent hypothermia. After a period of extended drought, it can be completely dry. Be sure to check at the Zion Backcountry Desk for current conditions and, more importantly, believe them when they say you NEED wetsuits. 

The technical section is done by competent small parties in an hour or less and struggled through by large groups of less-competents in 12 hours or more. Expect to encounter other parties when descending Pine Creek. Play well together. The light is best near mid-day, so sleep in, slurp coffee—no need for an early start. Or enjoy it late in the afternoon for a less-social experience. 

Being adjacent to the road, Pine Creek has a higher daily use quota (50 people) and a higher allowed group size (12) than most canyons in Zion. It DOES "sell out" on summer days, but there is less of a scramble for permits than for other canyons. 

First descent of the canyon down the watercourse, as currently done: Dennis Turville and Dean Hanniball, September 21, 1977.  

Canyon Profile

Know what you are doing.  It may seem self-evident, but Pine Creek requires canyoneering skills to descend. Everyone in your party should know how to rappel BEFORE entering the canyon. Many rappels feature awkward starts or require disconnecting while swimming. 

Keep your group small, to six or fewer people.  If your group is larger, break it into two smaller groups. If you do not have enough experienced people to do this, break the group in two and have the experienced people run through the canyon twice. 

Bring the right equipment.  Everyone must have his or her own harness, gloves and rappel device, plus a helmet and proper clothing. Do not underestimate the need for wetsuits.  
 

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS 

Spring : Sometimes means melting snow and flowing water through the canyon. Rappels may be flowing and some downclimbs become a lot harder. And of course, the water is COLD! 

Summer and Fall :  Usually friendly conditions in Pine Creek, but water levels vary widely.  Be careful of summer monsoons – not a canyon for a thunderstorm day. 

Winter : VERY full-on with flowing water and icy conditions.  

The Business

BETA WARNING: Canyons are constantly changing, and Pine Creek changes more than most. This beta describes it as it was last time I went through before I wrote this… October 7, 2021.

First Obstacle:  A short drop and pool must be dealt with before getting to the first rappel. There are two sets of SAR bolts that can be used to rap into the small pothole. Downclimbing into the pothole works well when it is full of water; a balancey step left allows for stemming down to water level. Find something that works for you.

R1:  20 feet (6m): Rap from a 2-bolt anchor perched on a rib to a pothole ledge.

R2: Walk to the exit of the pothole and rappel from new glue-in bolts 15 feet (5m) to the ground, which is often a pool.

Walk 10 meters to the next obstacle.

R3:  15 feet (5m): Rap from a 2-bolt anchor past a chockstone. Can be downclimbed, but a surprise bad-landing resulted in 3 ankle injuries in 2015, so rapping or handlining is recommended. 

Walk 20 meters past a small arch. 

R4:  10 feet (3m) off a log into a pothole. 

R5:  50 feet (15m) The Cathedral Rappel. Walk carefully out a slippery ramp to the anchor (may require a belay in some conditions). Rap off a bolt anchor past 2 arches. 

Walk or swim out the end of the pothole (through arch). A downclimb leads to a beautiful, often flooded, fluted corridor 100m to the next obstacle. Walk, clamber, swim etc. for a couple hundred meters to where the canyon turns sharply right. Walk and clamber 100 meters or so to a short drop. All along this way, towering walls put on a colorful display when the light is right. Be sure to look up!

R6:  Rap 20 feet (7m) off a two-bolt anchor to a pool, often a short swim.

Make your way to where the canyon opens up. This is a good place to have lunch and warm up. 

Work through large blocks 200 meters, next to the right wall. Trending right near the end to a flat ledge and a bolt anchor near a small tree. 

R7:  Rap 65 feet (20m) down a corner. Pull the rope carefully to avoid getting it stuck in the corner crack. Walk through a neat keyhole to an open area. Climb slabs left to a bench, then walk down to an arch and a bolt anchor for the final rappel. 

Safety Note: The canyon "floor" in the open area is debris wedged in-between giant boulders and is unstable. It forms the roof of a cavern below. Use caution when moving across this possible collapse area. 

R8:  Rap 100 feet (30m). A spectacular free rappel leads to a rocky area that used to be (and will be again) a delightful Fairy Glen with a small spring. 

Alternate  Rap 8:  Rappel 90 feet (27m) using a two-bolt anchor off the front face of the boulder that blocks the canyon; it leads into the chamber under the rock. Downclimb/scramble down a corner to a pool at ground level—easier than it looks. The pool is usually waist deep. 

Relax, drink some water, remove harnesses and pack the rope. Sometimes it is best to wait until the canyon goes into the shade for the walk out. 

Photo Gallery

pine creek