West Rim Trail - 14.9 Miles Round-Trip

The West Rim Trail is the longest section of the Trans-Zion Trekking Route, which runs 47 miles from Lee Pass Trailhead in Kolob Canyons to the southeast entrance at the East Rim Trailhead.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The West Rim Trail passes through mixed pine forests, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and deciduous - riparian systems on the 3,100' descent from Lava Point to the Zion Canyon floor.

Visitors will enjoy varied terrain, magnificent views and a comprehensive look at Zion's topographical and ecological extremes.

Good things to know before heading out:

• The dirt road from Lava Point to the West Rim Trailhead is impassable when wet. Call ahead for road conditions. If closed, you'll need to walk an additional 1.4 miles from Lava Point to reach the trailhead.

• Get an early, quick start to maximize time on the trail's most compelling segments and begin your descent before afternoon storms develop.

• Most of the trail is fully exposed - carry layers and sun protection. May -September hikers can expect cool mornings at higher elevations, hot sun in the early afternoon, and localized cloud bursts mid-late afternoon. Snow is possible November - May.

• There are three water sources on the West Rim Trail, each varying in reliability throughout the season: Sawmill Springs, Potato Hollow and Cabin Spring. Call ahead for status. All water must be purified.

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The trail heads south down Horse Pasture Plateau to the Wildcat Canyon Trail split (.1 mile). Manzanita, ponderosa and fir soon yield to widespread fire damage atop this and surrounding mesa tops. Prominent topographical features are susceptible to lightning strike-fires, and several have swept through this area in recent years.

Periodic fire is critical to a healthy Ponderosa ecosystem, clearing space for new growth and opening pine cone seeds in replenished soils.

The trail dips to Campsite #9 and Sawmill Springs (.9 miles : 7,295'), the first of 3 water sources on the West Rim. It continues with little distinction until dropping through a narrow gulch into a slender meadow, a good place to find deer and elk (4.2 miles : 7,205').

The trail levels through the meadow to Campsite #8 and Potato Hollow (5.25 miles : 6,815'), where the plateau opens at the base of a steep hill.

The trail turns sharply uphill just past Campsite #7 (5.35 miles : 6,837'), winding steeply to forested bluffs at 5.7 miles (7,040') and 6.0 miles (7,215'). This climb offers good views of Horse Pasture Plateau (N), upper Kolob Plateau (NW) and upper Zion Canyon (NE).

The trail negotiates a rocky ridge from the second bluff to the southern half of Horse Pasture Plateau. A final push levels on a broad plateau at the Telephone Canyon - West Rim split (6.85 miles : 7,255'). Bear right on the West Rim Trail to Campsite #6 (6.95 miles : 7,290').

The trail bends west from #6 and curls south along the plateau's west edge, beginning a 3 mile stretch of astonishing views across an elaborately carved landscape. Landmarks include Greatheart Mesa (7,405'), Ivins Mountain (7,019) and the Inclined Temple (7,150').

Travel eases to Campsite #5 (8.15 miles : 7,360') and Campsites #4 - #3 (8.6 miles : 7,340'), past which the first of several staged drops lead around the southwest edge of the plateau. Views on this stretch include Castle Dome (7,060'), Behunin, Mount Majestic and Cathedral Mountain.

The trail takes a circuitous path under the plateau rim to its southeast side, where steep switchbacks (9.55 miles : 7,025') lead down a uniform pine forest with easterly views across a checkerboard of finely carved mesa tops and canyons.

The trail passes Campsite #2 and #1 just before the second Telephone Canyon - West Rim Trail junction and access to Cabin Spring (10.15 miles : 6,745').

The trail drops steeply down switchbacks cut from a vertical cliff in a rapid transition from high ponderosa-fir tablelands into a maze of canyons, promontories and slickrock benches. Be mindful of drop-offs, especially when wet.

The trail levels through a short section of Little Siberia, where you'll notice a changing, more inclusive ecosystem: ponderosa pine, fir, bigtooth maple, gambel oak, ash, willow and cottonwood commingle in these lower elevations and riparian corridors.

The trail nadirs on a bridge across a narrow slot (11.5 miles : 5,605') and begins a short, steep climb around the base of Cathedral Mountain. It moderates through a narrow chute and spills onto a level slickrock bench (12.3 miles : 5,845').

Follow signposts across the slickrock to pickup the trail on a steep descent to Scout Lookout (13.05 miles : 5,368'), a small bluff from which a chain-aided spur splits off to Angels Landing (5,790').

Enjoy good views of Angels Landing, the Virgin River and many Zion Canyon features before turning down Walter's Wiggles, an iconic set of 21 switchbacks that drop into Refrigerator Canyon. This towering slot canyon is aptly named for its cool temperatures and shade, a welcome reprieve after 13+ exposed miles.

Refrigerator Canyon abruptly ends midway up the west wall of Zion Canyon (13.8 miles : 4,930'), where a craftily built series of knee-crunching, rough-pour switchbacks lead to the canyon floor.

The trail loses 500' in just .75 miles to the west bank of the Virgin River. Continue past Emerald Pools to the bridge leading back to the Grotto Trailhead (14.9 miles : 4,320').