Haduke: Canaan Mountain

With the East Rim Trail indefinitely closed due to a rockfall where it connects to Zion Canyon, this route offers another way to walk into Zion Canyon and get to the official ending of the Hayduke Trail (see my post on all the re-route options). This route deviates from the official Hayduke in Section 14 near Elephant Butte and heads over Canaan Mountain and down the Eagles Crags Route. Once at the highway one can walk up to the main canyon of Zion to end the hike or connect to the West Rim Trail to keep going. If wishing to avoid the roadwalk, one could instead continue up the southwest corner of Zion to connect with the West Rim Trail and then head east to Zion Canyon and the official end spot. Or, if not concerned about getting to the official end spot of the Hayduke, one could simply continue up to the Kolob Canyons section of the park to end the hike. Read on for more detail.

This description will begin by leaving the official Hayduke near Elephant Butte, however if one needs to do a re-supply in Colorado City the better route from there would be to go up Water Canyon or Squirrel Canyon. The latter is a little easier and likely less crowded, but about a mile longer and not quite as scenic.

Leaving the Hayduke near the western end of Elephant Butte, one should follow a VERY sandy Jeep road to the west. The road winds for about 4.5 miles with some minor tracks branching off along the way. One will pass two marked springs along the way, but don’t be surprised if they are dry. After about 4.5 miles one will come to an intersection in Broad Valley. Turn left here and soon arrive as a parking area for Canaan Wilderness. Past this spot it’s only a trail, but unfortunately some ATVs tend to go around the barricade and ride the path which thankfully becomes less sandy as one climbs into the hills.

In about two and a half miles one will drop down into the wash for Birch Creek (usually dry). Continue up the wash to the west. The wash will likely be mostly dry, though one might find some pools of water — especially at one big pour-off about half mile up.  Not too long after that the route leaves the wash and follows the hills on the south side. Here the route will intersect the trail coming up from Squirrel Canyon and then soon after drop back down into the wash as it cuts through a slickrock basin.

In about another half mile one will come to the point where it’s possible to see Water Canyon dropping down to the left. In this area one can follow a faint route along the canyon’s northern rim to Water Canyon Arch (aka locally as Eye of Heaven). The out-and-back diversion to the arch is under two miles roundtrip and worth the effort IMHO. If coming up Water Canyon look for the arch high on the northern wall from near the trailhead.

Continuing on the main route one climbs up a somewhat steep slickrock bowl to the west. The route levels out some after a half mile or so and then in about another mile one arrives at The White Domes — a very cool outcrop of sandstone which is popular with photographers.

The route is less traveled west of the White Domes, but it’s still fairly easy to follow as one travels across Canaan Mountain. It’s about 3.5 miles to Sawmill Spring, but along the way there is more amazing sandstone, great views north to Zion, and some cool views south of the edge of the mountain.

Sawmill Spring appears to be heavily used as a camp area as it’s the most reliable water source around. Still though one might have to go down the drainage a short distance to find the best water. Remnants of the old sawmill and its process can be found here (as well as along the southern edge of the mountain which is where lumber was lowered down to the town below.) If one has time a diversion to the west provides amazing views from the high point of the Canaan Mountain. This is the western side of the mountain where the edge drops away dramatically. There are great views up to Zion from here as well as Smithsonian Butte and to the Pine Valley Mountains near St. George.

Continuing on the route one heads out from Sawmill Spring by following the drainage to the north. One is unlikely to see a trail from here on so just find the path of least resistance. Water is likely to flow for a while down across the slickrock into the wash where the landscape levels out somewhat. Here leave the wash and head over to the Lower Mountain area to the NW.

In about 1.5 miles one should be in another drainage (likely dry) between the two prominent points of Lower Mountain. From here the route gets a bit rougher, but it’s still not that bad. Continue NNW along a eastern edge of a land peninsula as the mountain drops away again on the right. In less than a mile one will come to a weakness where it’s possible to get down. The route is steep, but not overly difficult — so if you find yourself seriously scrambling it means you’re likely in the wrong chute!

After dropping about 800′ in elevation, one will want to pick up a route heading north toward the Eagles Crags. This route can be tedious as it makes its way in and out of drainages, but it will get easier (and more defined) as you move farther north. Views to the north are great and once you get past the Eagles Crags the trail is easy to follow and you might even start seeing day hikers.

From the Eagles Crags it’s just over 2 miles to the trailhead. From here follow the Jeep road down another two miles or so and cross the bridge and into the small town of Rockville. From here… follow the road north through Springdale into Zion, or head south to Huber Wash and continue hiking the west side of Zion up the Kolob Terrace Route. Note if going into Zion Canyon, one can catch the Springdale Shuttle to the park boundary to avoid several miles of road walking through town.

GALLERY: