West Rim Trail, Zion National Park

[Nick]

New Trail Guide up for The West Rim Trail in Zion National Park. In-depth questions & comments can be posted in this thread.

View West Rim Trail Guide


[bimg=fleft|300|The Zion West Rim]http://backcountrypost.com/forum/data/attachments/7/7828-e777826d9bcd6d68456451a55a77b873.jpg[/bimg]
Do you like big views? Then the West Rim Trail of Zion National park is for you. The route starts high on the west side of the park near Lava Point at just over 7,440' and traverses across high ridges and plateaus as it makes it's way into the heart of Zion Canyon, descending over 3,000 vertical feet as the trail descends to the valley floor just below Angel's Landing.

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[Vegan.Hiker]

This is ridiculously helpful. A few questions. Where does the shuttle to lava point pick you up? I'm assuming at the Grotto since that's where you'll end; correct? You said Springdale so I'm just a little confused. If I took the shuttle from Springdale and ended at the Grotto; how do you get back to Springdale? And just for clarification on the permit process, I can't apply for them until 3 months before my trip? So do you suggest waiting until the day exactly 3 months before my trip to do anything permit wise? Also, does that 17 miles include the extra mile out and back to Angels landing?

 

[Nick]

The shuttles leave from the outfitters location in Springdale. So to get back to your car, you'd ride the park shuttle from The Grotto to the visitor center, then hop on the Springdale shuttle back into town to where your car is. They're all free shuttles. I've used Zion Adventure Company (ZAC) for shuttles in the past. They're pretty close to the entrance to the park, right on the main road in Springdale.

17 miles does not include the hike out to Angel's. Speaking of which, that is a bit of a trick logistically due to the people around. I'd be a little uncomfortable leaving my big pack at Scout Lookout, but I imagine it happens. Just don't leave anything to valuable easily accessible. You might be able to find a stash spot in some bushes or something. Or if you're packing really light, you could wear it out there (be careful!).

Last I checked, they open up the permit calendar for reservations on the 5th of the month 3 months ahead. So you should get all over that as soon as your target month becomes available. Double check that though, I know they've made some changes to the permit system in the last year.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Thanks Nick. Got it on how the shuttle to the grotto TH works now. Just picked up two new books and the Nat Geo maps for Zion and Bryce today so I should at least read them before jumping the gun and asking away.

 

[steve]

Thanks nick. We are planning the zion traverse this year and that will be very helpful.