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Canyoneering Route Description

Spry Canyon - 3B III
Zion National Park, Utah.

Pictures 11-14-09

Quick Facts

11-14-09, 4 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 8 hours due to technical difficulties) Via Pine Creek Approach
09-26-11, 3 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 10 hours due to a lot of hang out and talk time)  Via Alternate Approach

Time Required - 5 to 7 hours
Distance - 2.9 miles Total, 1.3 miles Technical
Rappels - 11 Rappels, Longest Rappel 190 feet.

See the Canyoneer Trip Report Explanation Notes page for an explanation of how the technical mileage or the gear used list is determined.

Gear Used for Canyon

Rappelling and anchor gear, two 200 foot ropes, 50 feet of 1” webbing for sling placement, and wet suits.  Since a couple of these rappels have major rope groves and rope sticking is a possibility, ascension gear is recommended as well.

General Comments

Spry Canyon uses most of the same approach as Lodge canyon.  A couple of the rappels have major rope grooves that can get your rope stuck when trying to pull the rope.  Be careful when setting up these raps.  If you would like to know how I know about this check out the entry for Spry Canyon in the What's New With Luke Section.

Spry has a few tight twisty spots but are short and mixed with semi wide open areas.  The majority of raps (raps 3 – 10) are all in a 0.2 mile section near the end of the technical section.

There are two approaches to choose from for Spry Canyon.  The first is the standard route which follows part of Upper Pine Creek then climbs way up and over a saddle to drop into Spry Canyon.  The second option is an alternate entry which follows a portion of the Canyon Overlook trail.  A short way down the Canyon Overlook Trial the route will leave the trail and climb up and over two saddles before dropping down a ravine at the head of Spry Canyon.

Getting to the Trailhead and Exit Vehicle (Escape Pod) Parking

To get to the Trailhead

From the South Entrance to Zion National Park, drive 6 miles north on highway 9 through the tunnel to a parking area on the right with restrooms (the trailhead for Pine Creek) just past the east exit of the tunnel.  From this parking area, continue about 0.4 miles east on highway 9, to two turn outs on the left (north) side of the road (pkLodgeSpryTP).  The first turn out will fit one car and the second will fit two cars parked close.  The trail leaves the road a short distance west of the west most turn out.

The trailhead for the alternate approach is the Canyon Overlook Trailhead (tCnynOvrLk).  If you decide to use the alternate approach park in the parking area about 700 feet north of the north end of the tunnel on highway 9.  This parking area is about 0.2 miles west on highway 9 from the parking spot described above for the standard route.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

From the South Entrance to Zion National Park, drive 1.4 miles north on highway 9, to the Canyon Junction turn off.  Continue straight on highway 9 another 0.4 miles to the first switch back on the way up to the tunnel.  It is a total of about 2.0 miles from the South Entrance of the park.  Park / leave the escape pod here.

Maps

Map showing entire route.

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Right Click then select "Save Target As" to save the Hi-Res version.

GPS Waypoint Information

Details

The Standard Approach:
The trail leaving highway 9 is not marked and drops down a little from the side of the road to the north into a wide sandy wash (Pine Creek).  About 500 feet from the road will be a section of smooth rock with some potholes running down the middle of it (wSpryRP-1).  Go over the rock to the left of the potholes and continue up the sandy wash.  0.2 miles beyond the slick rock with potholes, is a section in the wash covered in rock debris from a rock fall (wSpryRP-2).    

0.6 miles from the trailhead is where you leave Pine Creek (wSpryRP-3).  To exit the Pine Creek wash, climb up the left (northwest) side of the wash along a section where the exposed layers of sandstone resemble stacked flag stone.  It starts out slightly slopped and quickly gets steeper and steeper as it turns to a more slick rock type area.  

About 600 feet after leaving Pine Creek, the steep climb levels off a bit (wSpryRP-4).  You will have a good view of the southern end of Deertrap Mountain at about 334°.  Continue northwest toward Deertrap Mountain.  

As you get closer to the southern end of Deertrap Mountain, look for a wide open slick rock bowl shaped ravine leading up and almost due west.  The bowl shaped ravine goes up over a few ledges along the way that require the occasional scramble to get up to the next ledge.  As you continue up the bowl shaped ravine continue up the center and climb up the ledges.

After climbing one of the ledges about 0.2 miles up the bowl shaped ravine, will be a sloped section of white rock on the right (north) side.  The sloped section of white rock has layers that look like a set of stacked pancakes (wSpryRP-5). 

Go northwest out of the ravine by walking up the set of pancakes.  About 200 feet from the pancakes look for a deep looking slot.  To the left (west) of the slot will be a tall smooth vertical wall (wSpryRP-6).  At the base of this wall you should be able to easily find some petro glyphs on the wall.  The deep slot below the petro glyphs may be a good spot for a shady break depending on what time of day you are there.  

From the petro glyphs, follow up the slope to the north along the base of the wall the petro glyphs were on.  At the top of the slope, the As you get closer to the southern end of Deertrap Mountain, look for a wide open slick rock bowl shaped ravine leading up and almost due west.  The bowl shaped ravine goes up over a few ledges along the way that require the occasional scramble to get up to the next ledge.  As you continue up the bowl shaped ravine continue up the center and climb up the ledges.

After climbing one of the ledges about 0.2 miles up the bowl shaped ravine, will be a sloped section of white rock on the right (north) side.  The sloped section of white rock has layers that look like a set of stacked pancakes (wSpryRP-5). 

Go northwest out of the ravine by walking up the set of pancakes.  About 200 feet from the pancakes look for a deep looking slot.  To the left (west) of the slot will be a tall smooth vertical wall (wSpryRP-6).  At the base of this wall you should be able to easily find some petro glyphs on the wall.  The deep slot below the petro glyphs may be a good spot for a shady break depending on what time of day you are there.  

From the petro glyphs, follow up the slope to the north along the base of the wall the petro glyphs were on.  At the top of the slope, the terrain opens up a bit but keeps going up.  As you are in this area remember to look back the way you came.  The views that way are incredible.  Where the route tops out above the petro glyphs (jLodgeCynRte) is where a choice can be made to follow the Lodge / Employee Canyon or the Spry Canyon route.  

The remainder of this route description is solely for Spry Canyon.

Continue west about 350 feet toward the top of a steep slope (wSpryRP-7).  Start down and traverse along the slope to the north west.  About 400 feet away you should see a tight wash / slot coming from the north then turning to a shallow wash that runs along the slope you are descending.  Where this slot shallows out (wLodgeRP-3) to a wash it is easiest to get over to continue down the slope toward Spry.

After crossing over the wash travel south west down the drainage toward Spry Canyon.  About 700 feet down the now sandy wash will be a large drainage joining in from the left (south).  Where this large drainage joins is marked as the top entry for Spry Canyon. (ySpryTp).  That large drainage is what the alternate entry approach will come down.

The Alternate Approach:
From the parking lot (pkShelfCyn), walk about 500 feet south on highway 9 toward the tunnel and the Canyon Overlook Trailhead (tCnynOvrLk).  

Follow the Canyon Overlook Trail about 0.3 miles.  Look for a spot where the trail turns right and becomes wider, flat and sandy.  Near the end of this corner look to the right (north) side of the trail for a path leading through the vegetation to the north (jAltSpryRte).  This is only about 650 feet from the end of the Canyon Overlook Trail.  If you pass this turn you will only be able to get off course by about 650 feet.   Follow the path about 300 feet to where a beehive shaped rock comes into view.  Shortly before reaching the beehive rock the trail will fork as it gets to some steep rock.  Follow the path to the right (east) then back left to the base of the beehive rock (wSpryAltRP-01).  

Continue around the left (west) side of the beehive rock and stay high on the ledges to continue north.  About 300 feet after the beehive rock will be a good view north up the long steep slick rock slope up toward a saddle.  To the left of the saddle will be the East Temple with some hoodoos near the saddle.  

Find whatever line works best for you to get up to the saddle at the top of the slick rock.  There are multiple lines that will get you where you want to go.  Staying right (east) seems to be an easier route but anything works.  

As you continue up the slick rock toward the saddle you will have some large out croppings on your right (east).  Near the base of the reddish out cropping which is the largest one will be a section that is a bit more level (wSpryAltRP-02).  

Continue up the slick rock to get to the saddle (wSpryAltRP-03).  This saddle is about 0.4 miles after leaving the Canyon Overlook Trail.  

Travel down drainage on the other (north) side of the saddle.  To avoid a few down climbs, travel down the worn path on the right (east) side for about 300 feet.   

Almost 700 feet down from the saddle will be a view down to a sandy wash about 100 feet below.  When you are about 100 feet above this sandy wash is what is marked on the map as the junction to Shelf Canyon (jShelfCyn). 

To continue the route to Spry do not drop down to the sandy wash area below.  Instead turn left (northish) and look for a saddle about 700 feet away.  Travel over to the saddle.  About half way over to the saddle the route crosses over to the right (north east) side of a drainage (wSpryAltRP-04).

After crossing the drainage travel up the right side to the saddle about 400 feet away (wSpryAltRP-05).  Travel down the ravine to the north of this saddle to get to the head of Spry Canyon.   Travel down the ravine from here is a mix of sandy dirt and slick rock with patches of rock and tree debris.

About 200 feet down the ravine from the saddle is a drop and it appears you are cliffed out at this point.  When you reach this cliff out, turn around and go back up the ravine about 100 feet. Climb up a slope of sand and bushes on the RDC to get to the head of a side ravine on the east side of the ravine (wSpryAltRP-06).

The start down this side ravine is VERY steep and is mostly loose sand. About 100 feet down canyon the ravine levels out.  Walk about 0.3 miles north down the ravine and drainage to the head of Spry Canyon (ySpryTp).  Once in Spry turn left (west) to start the technical portion of the route.

The Canyoneering / Technical Section:
After getting into the main wash for Spry Canyon (ySpryTp), continue west down into Spry Canyon.  This area is wide open and sandy then starts closing in as you get deeper into Spry.  The route is heading west and will have East Temple on the left (south) and Twin Brothers on the right (north).

Rap 1 (dSpryR1) is about 0.3 miles down the wash after the steep slope.  Rap 1 is anchored from one piton and 1 bolted anchor LDC.  Rap 1 drops about 190 feet.  Rap 1 is down a sloped sandstone wall with a pothole about 160 feet down.  The pothole is easy to avoid by walking around it.  On the other side of the pothole the rap continues to drop about another 30 feet to a sandy bottomed pool.  Just before reaching the pool at the bottom there is conveniently placed ledge along the sandstone wall.  The ledge is just wide enough to carefully step on and walk to the shallow end of the pool before hopping off a ledge to avoid the water.  If you have shorter ropes an option would be to rap down to the pothole to end the rappel, then down climb down to and around the pool at the bottom.  The down climb would be sketchy so rappelling the entire distance would be safer.

After rap 1 is a winding sandy wash.  About 0.3 miles down canyon of rap 1 the wash becomes a deep tight slot (wSpryRP-9).  Do not drop into the slot.  Instead look for a path on the left (south) side following along the top of the slot.  There is also a path to the right but is not the best choice. 

Both paths lead to a rappel.  The right path leads to a rappel of about 25 feet from a small tree in the wash.  This rappel is not the best choice as it has a pull line that will wear on the rope and there is a lot of debris that can be knocked down on the people below you.  The left path leads to a rappel of about 40 feet from a large pine tree with a clean pull line and little debris to be knocked down. off a ledge to avoid the water.  If you have shorter ropes an option would be to rap down to the pothole to end the rappel, then down climb down to and around the pool at the bottom.  The down climb would be sketchy so rappelling the entire distance would be safer. ng the entire distance would be safer. depending on water levels in the canyon.  There are a couple of down climbs to get down to and around a pool in a sandstone section along the way.  Rap 3 is down a tight slot about 600 feet down canyon of rap 2.

Rap 3 (dSpryR3-4) is anchored from webbing tied to logs jammed in the slot and drops about 20 feet.  Rap 3 could be down climbed, but it would be a bit of a chore hauling your pack while stemming down the very tight slot.  The rappel is a bit awkward as well but arguably easier than stemming down.

Rap 4 is a short distance below rap 3.  Rap 4 is anchored from 2 bolted anchors RDC and drops about 40 feet with a ledge part way down.  The anchors for Rap 4 are across a void and care should be taken when reaching out to the anchor webbing.  The top part of Rap 4 is free hanging to a ledge below then continues down a short wall to the bottom.

Rap 5 (dSpryR5) is about 300 feet down canyon from rap 4 down a slick rock slope.  Rap 5 is anchored LDC from 3 bolted anchors and drops about 90 feet to the bottom of the slot.  There are a lot of rope grooves in the rock and care must be taken to keep from getting the rope stuck on the pull.  Dropping into the slot from Rap 5 feels almost like dropping into a cave.

Walking the sandy bottom down canyon from the bottom of rap 5 another drop is seen dropping off to the right.  There is a large flat choke stone wedged over the drop.  Webbing there suggests this is an alternate rap point for rap 6.  Climb up the side LDC to a large pine which is the anchor for rap 6.

Rap 6 (dSpryR6-8), anchored from the large pine up on the rim LDC, drops about 100 feet.  There are major amounts of rope pull lines at Rap 6.  It is easy to get ropes stuck here if you are not careful (ask me how I know this).  Rap 6 drops to a large sandy bottom grotto with a small opening on the other side of the grotto.

Rap 7 is anchored from 2 bolted anchors LDC at the small opening on the other side of the grotto.  Rap 7 drops about 30 feet to a pothole that can be up to waist deep if full then drops another 12 feet on the other side of the pot hole.

Rap 8 is a few feet down canyon of rap 7.  Rap 8 is anchored RDC by 2 bolted anchors.  Dropping straight down from the anchors will drop you into a pothole that will most likely be a swimmer even in low water conditions but the swim will be very short and you may even be able to stem up out of it.  The other option is to work your way down canyon while on rope to get over to the next drop (about 10 feet over).  While doing this be very careful not to slip as you will end up doing a pendulum fall into a wall.  Once over to the next drop it is an easy rap down sloped sandstone to the shallower end of the pool.  In high water conditions this pool might be well over waist deep here anyway.

The bottom of rap 8 is in a tight slot with a sandy bottom.  A few feet down canyon is a short easy down climb to another pool.  This pool can be over chest high in high water conditions and would be about 30 feet long.  On the other side of the pool is rap 9.

Rap 9 (dSpryR9) is anchored LDC from 2 bolted anchors and drops about 50 feet to a sandy area. 

About 40 down canyon of rap 9 is a large drop off in the water course with some rope pull lines indicating it has been a rappel in the past.  Scramble up around this drop off to the left (south) to the top of a slope.  From the top of the slope, drop down the other side to a ledge where rap 10 is anchored by two medium sized trees.

Rap 10 (dSpryR10) is anchored from 2 medium sized trees on a sandy slope just above a sandstone ledge.  Rap 10 drops about 65 feet to a wide open area.

At the bottom of rap 10 there are social trails that will bypass rap 11.  It is recommended not to use these social trails.  Instead continue about 600 feet down the water course to rap 11.

Rap 11 (dSpryR11) is anchored from a large tree at a huge pink and white sandstone ledge.  Rap 11 drops about 100 feet down a sheer wall with about half of the rap as a free hanging rappel.  Rap 11 is a very scenic and enjoyable rap.  I do not understand why anyone would prefer to bypass it using the social trails.  Rap 11 is a great seal the deal rap to end the technical portion of the route.

The bottom of rap 11 is a great place to take off the harnesses and maybe wetsuits if you have them on.  The extra freedom you get from removing these items will be useful for the boulder hoping needed to get down to pine creek. 

From the bottom of rap 11 follow the water course about 0.2 miles down to the Pine Creek drainage (ySpryBt).  Along the way is lots of boulder hoping.

The Exit:
When the canyon meets the Pine Creek wash (ySpryBt) turn right (west) and travel downstream.  Travel about 0.3 miles to where the exit vehicle / escape pod was parked (pkSpryBt).  Travel down Pine Creek is fun and scenic along the wash but there are social trails on the right (north) side, if you wish to use them.

GPS Waypoint Information

Back to the Canyoneering Trip Report List page.

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