Eastern Sun Canyon to the Narrows (Zion NP)

[fossana]

Intro
I returned from the Sierra to miserably hot southern UT temps, so I wanted to find something fun to escape the heat. I wasn't excited to deal with the classic Zion technical canyons and crowds. Luckily on Canyoneering USA I found some obscure technical canyons that drained into the Zion Narrows from between Chamberlain Ranch and Orderville Canyon. I had originally wanted to do Checkerboard, but after reading the detailed description on Bluu Gnome decided that it was probably imprudent to do solo given the potentially awkward/challenging downclimbs and an easier-if-you're-taller slide. So instead I chose the shorter Eastern Sun Canyon, but tacked on a longer hike to the bottom of the Narrows instead of exiting at Chamberlain Ranch. I scored a last minute Narrows permit and reserved an early morning shuttle from the Zion visitors center.

Logistics
Regulations/Safety
Narrows top down permit required. The Narrows is closed if the discharge rate is >150 CFS or if there's a NWS flash flood advisory. If you exit at Temple of Sinawava during shuttle season, you'll need to take the shuttle back to the visitors center. It currently runs until 9:15pm during the summer.

Start/End
I parked at the Zion NP south entrance visitor center and took one of the commercial shuttles, asking to be dropped off at the junction of North Fork Rd and Dakota Ridge Rd. The shuttle driver had no idea where the side road was, so be prepared with a GPS/topo map, or watch the mileage. It's also possible to do Eastern Sun with a vehicle (or bike) shuttle between Dakota Ridge Rd and Chamberlain Ranch, and instead walk upstream once you hit the N Fork of the Virgin River. This is shorter by ~6 miles and likely eliminates the need for a dry bag.

Skills
Since Eastern Sun is infrequently visited, you may need to build your own natural anchors from rocks and/or sand. Be able to navigate since some of the approach is off-trail.

Gear

• 170' rope plus a second (or pull cord) of the same length
• locking carabiners
• extra webbing, rap rings or quick links, knife (in case anchors are in poor condition or missing)
• dry bag (Narrows had pools up to neck deep)
• topo and/or GPS track/waypoints at least for the canyon approach (Bluu Gnome sells gpx files for $2.25 or you can use their waypoints to create your own)
• wag bag for Zion Narrows (park policy)
• recommend a trekking pole (or locate a stick) for the river walk since the rocks are slimy

References
Eastern Sun, Canyoneering USA
Eastern Sun, Bluu Gnome
Zion Narrows top down, Joe's Guide

Approximate Route

Photos
Dakota Ridge Road and Dakota Ridge
There was a defined approach trail on Dakota Ridge up until around Dakota Hill, after which I managed to not step on my little serpent friend.
.

Eastern Sun
Friendly reminder to check all anchors before you rap. One of the chockstones (not pictured) pulled out when I tested it.


N Fork of the Virgin River (aka Zion Narrows)
I lucked out b/c the Narrows were almost empty up until the paved trail just before Temple of Sinawava.

 

[Titans]

Great share @fossana ! I love your references and all the logistics info.

 

[wsp_scott]

Cool that you got it mostly to yourself, looks like a good way to spend a day, I wish I had grown up in a place to learn to do all the climbing stuff, but FL doesn't really lend itself to canyoneering

What did you do in the Sierra? I'm going over Shepherd Pass in about 10 days, hope the snow isn't to bad at the top.

 

[Yvonne]

great trip but since it is a technical trip, it's not for me.
I love how peaceful it looks

 

[fossana]

Cool that you got it mostly to yourself, looks like a good way to spend a day, I wish I had grown up in a place to learn to do all the climbing stuff, but FL doesn't really lend itself to canyoneering

What did you do in the Sierra? I'm going over Shepherd Pass in about 10 days, hope the snow isn't to bad at the top.

I took my friend up Venusian Blind Arete on Temple Crag.

The snow situation on 7/5 in the Palisades, granted you'll have a bit less base down by Independence.

p.s. Not sure if you're planning on doing Williamson and Tyndall, but the N Rib of Tyndall is a fun and easy scramble. You can hike off the summit down an easier route (NW Rib) if you prefer.