Canyoneering Route Description

Fat Man's Misery (East Fork) - 3B III (IV)
Zion National Park, Utah.

Quick Facts

04-06-14, 4 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 10.8 hours) Pictures Icon

Time Required - 10 to 11 hours
Distance - 10.5 miles Total, 2.1 miles Technical
Rappels - 2 Rappels, Longest Rappel 30 feet.
Elevation Range - 6000 - 4560 Feet
Shuttle Required -No Vehicle - Passenger Permit Required - No

Gear Used for Canyon

Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up to 30 feet and 20 feet of 1 inch webbing for sling placement.  Wet suits are suggested at all times of year.  The lower portion of the East Fork has some water in a couple spots that can get very cold.

General Comments

The East Fork of Fat Man's Misery Canyon is mostly walking and light scrambling over short drops in scenic canyon with a series of narrow beautiful sections mixed with open sections of wash walking. About 0.4 miles before reaching the confluence of the West and East Forks is the start of a narrow by a cross joint that is about 0.2 miles long and much deeper than the previous narrow sections. Than narrow section has a few downclimbs and a rappel before opening up to wash walking about 0.2 miles down to the confluence. After the confluence of the two forks the route goes down through another deep narrow section and through a warm springs with a few drops before reaching the East Fork of the Virgin River at then end of the canyon.

In the east fork there are sections of canyon that can be waist deep to wade through. Near the end of the East Fork the deep slot with the rappel can have almost swimmer depth water in a couple spots. Below the confluence of forks the canyon has one swim that will always be cold no mater what time of year then passes through a warm springs before getting to the East Fork of the Virgin River where you will wade your way down canyon to the climb out. It is a good idea to have a wetsuit along even in warm weather.

The hike out is long and can get hot in summer. Cold days are not as enjoyable since there will be water on the route but hot days can be grueling on the hike out. Moderate to warm days are best.

Driving Directions

To get to the Trailhead

From the East Gate of Zion National Park on highway 9 drive southwest (into the park) 0.9 miles to a turnout on the right (north) side of the road (tFatMans).  The turnout is on the west side of the drainage that runs down the west side of Checkerboard Mesa.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

No exit vehicle is needed.  This is done as a loop route.

Maps

GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom.  For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the Glossary page.

Map Link Icon
Click the links for maps of the route.
Map of the entire route.
Map of the technical section and Exit.

Details

The Approach:
From the turn out (tFatMans) cross to the south side of the road and follow one of a few use trails leading to the drainage on the west side of Checkerboard Mesa.  Once in the drainage it is easy travel along a soft sandy bottomed wash.  Along with the soft sandy bottom are areas with close side walls and lots of vegetation.  This section is a very pretty start to the route.   

About 0.3 miles from the road you will find the first obstacle.  It is a medium sized boulder wedged between the walls just above the canyon floor.  When you see the boulder back up about 200 feet and look for a path leading up and around it LUC (left up canyon).  A short distance after dropping back to the canyon floor (about 0.5 miles from the road) the canyon appears to fork (wFatManRP-1).  Follow the left side of the fork to continue the route.  

The drainage / canyon starts to get more rock debris along the way and starts to get steeper.  There are a couple of boulder piles along the way that are relatively easy to climb up and over to continue up canyon.   

A little under 1 mile from the car the drainage will begin to get steep.  Follow a use trail up the steep section to get to the saddle at the top (wFatManRP-2).  The saddle is about 1.1 miles from the road.  

Take some time on the saddle to admire the views.  Looking back toward the road give a great view down on the route you have followed thus far.  Looking over the other side of the saddle (to the south) you will see a hint of where you will be going next.  Since you may want a break after climbing up to the saddle it is a good time to look around.  

Drop over the other side of the saddle to the south and start down again.  There are a few use trails on the left leading down along the wash on the other side of the saddle.  About 0.2 miles down from the saddle is a trail leading up out of the wash to the left (southeast).  The point where the trail leaves the wash (wFatManRP-3) feels more like a trail fork.  The wash is flat and sandy as is the trail you need to follow.  You should find a boulder about 3 or 4 foot in diameter sitting right at the fork (sometimes has a cairn on it).  This boulder has features on it that look like someone drizzled cake icing in lines all over it.  

The trail is now very defined and easy to follow as it wraps around the south end of Checkerboard Mesa.  About 0.4 miles after leaving the wash there is a short section of slick rock to cross (wFatManRP-4).  While crossing the slick rock look a bit left to find the continuation of the trail.  There may also be an occasional cairn along the way as well.   

While walking along the trail on the south end of Checkerboard Mesa, take a moment to look around.  There are 2 reasons you should do this.  First, it is a beautiful area.  Second, what you see here you should take note of as it will help guide you back on your return route.  If you are oblivious to what is around you on this route it is possible to get a bit mixed up on the way back.  

A short distance after crossing the slick rock section, the trail will be heading almost due east and you will be able to see the next drainage ahead of you.  If looking on a map, this next drainage runs south down along the east edge of Checkerboard Mesa and along the west edge of peak 6525.  

When the trail reaches the drainage (wFatManRP-5), cross over the other side and start up a trail on the other side still heading east.  As the trail continues it will top out after a short section of slick rock and begin to turn more south east.  About 0.1 miles after crossing the drainage at (wFatManRP-5), the trail will drop into a small drainage (wFatManRP-6) not shown on a map.  Follow down this drainage (south east) about 400 feet and look for a path (wFatManRP-8) up and out on the left (east).  

The trail continues mostly south east.  About 0.2 miles after leaving the drainage not shown on a map (wFatManRP-7), the trail will drop down a section of slick rock and cross another major drainage (wFatManRP-8).  This next drainage is shown on maps and is the drainage that runs south and starts east of peak 6525.  

Cross over this next major drainage and start going up the other side to the south east.  Going up and out of the drainage (wFatManRP-8) will be some sandy trails mixed in with mostly slick rock.  About 600 feet after starting up out of the drainage, you will find yourself on the top of a ridge that runs south.  The top of this ridge is almost all slick rock.  

Continue south down the ridge for about 700 feet.  This wide open feeling slick rock area is where the route forks (jFatMansLoop).  This is where the exit route from Fat Man’s Misery will meet up with the approach.  From here turn left (east) and start over the other side of the ridge.  The other side of the ridge begins as a gentle slope and starts getting steeper and steeper.  There is no particular spot to go down the other side of the ridge.  It is more like a wide open steep slick rock bowl as you descend down into the next drainage.  The large drainage you are descending to is the West Fork of  Fat Man’s Misery.  

About 0.4 miles from the top of the ridge you will be in the drainage for West Fork of Fat Man’s Misery (yFatManWestTp).

To go to the East Fork of Fat Man's Misery go down the wash for about 500 feet to a side ravine on the LDC side running up to the north roughly perpendicular to the canyon (FatEast01).

Note:
If you were doing Fat Man's Misery West Fork you would continue down the West Fork of Fat Man's Misery follow down canyon about 0.45 miles to rap 1.

From the bottom of the ravine on the LDC side (FatEast01 ) route find your way northwest up the ravine / drainage staying on the LUC (north) side going over a ledges here and there. If you stay to the left (north) on the way up the route will slowly contour up away from the drainage bottom. About 100 feet up out of Fat Man's West a few intermittent use trails begin to form.

Note:
There is also a ravine running up to the north going parallel to the pothole section up canyon. That is not the ravine you want. The ravine you want is the one going north up the side of the canyon running roughly perpendicular to the canyon.

 As a few intermittent use trails begin to form (FatEast02) up out of the drainage on the LUC (north) side, continue northwest up the slope about 1000 feet to the crest of a ridge.

From the crest of the ridge (FatEast03) continue west down the other side of the ridge and go down the hill side about 0.4 miles and find a way to scramble down to the wash / drainage below. The terrain is easy travel down the slope with no trails or landmarks.

About 200 feet before getting to the wash below the route down the slopes gets to the head of a small ravine (FatEast04) just above the large wash below. Route find your way around the head then down into the ravine and down it a few hundred feet to where you can scramble down into the wash (yFatManEastTp) where you are now in the East Fork of Fat Man's Misery. 

The Canyoneering / Technical Section:
Once in the East Fork of Fat Man's Misery (yFatManEastTp) walk down canyon about 200 feet to the start of a slot.

From the start of the slot (FatEast05) it is a walk through slot with scenic, undulating, twisting walls. About 0.28 miles down canyon the third open spot passes by a side drainage on the LDC side that may go un-noticed as you pass by.

The almost un-noticed side drainage (FatEast06) on the LDC side is wide coming down gently sloped slickrock and almost does not look like a drainage and may be easily overlooked.

The canyon continues for about 0.3 miles to a slot that has a 250 foot long corridor in it. In that 0.3 miles the canyon is a mix of easy walk through slots and open areas with a few short easy scrambles of 4 to 6 feet mixed in.

From the corridor (FatEast07) the canyon continues for about 0.6 miles to a slot that has a 10 foot downclimb. In that 0.6 miles the canyon is a mix of easy walk through slots and open areas with a few short easy scrambles of 4 to 6 feet mixed in.

The 10 foot downclimb (FatEast08) is moderately challenging near the start of a narrow section. Down canyon of this drop the canyon begins to get deeper feeling and the frequency of short downclimbs increases but remains easy. About 500 feet down canyon is a cross joint where the canyon makes a sharp right turn.

From the cross joint and right turn (FatEast09) continuing down from here is the final 0.2 miles long slot of the East Fork and is deeper and darker than the narrow sections up canyon. Down from this cross joint the canyon remains deep and begins to have more water that can get pretty cold.

About 100 feet down canyon is a downclimb of about 12 feet to a pool that could be chest deep if full. From the bottom of the downclimb is deep sculpted narrows with log jambs overhead and very pretty.

About 200 feet farther is a downclimb of about 8 feet then about 700 feet of deep narrow canyon to rap 1. Just before getting to rap 1 will be a couple downclimbs / slides down sloped slots to water filled pools that can be waist to chest deep and cold.

Rap 1 (dFatEastR1) is anchored RDC from a single bolted hanger and drops about 30 feet to a large chamber like area with waist deep water. Hope you have your wet suit on here as it can get very cold. From the bottom of rap 1 walk a short distance down canyon to where it opens up to wide wash walking for about 0.2 miles down to the confluence of the West and East Forks.

Note:
A few hundred feet down canyon of rap 1 is a side ravine on the RDC (north) side as the wash makes a left hand bend. That is not the confluence with the west fork. About 350 feet farther is another large drainage dropping down on the RDC side and is the West Fork of Fat Man's Misery.

From the Confluence of the East and West Forks (jFatManConf) continue down the wash about 600 feet to rap 2 and the start of more narrow section with a drop at the start of it. 

Rap 2 (dFatMainR1) is the first rap in the main canyon below the confluence.  Rap 2 is anchored from a boulder LDC and drops about 30 feet to the canyon floor in the fifth narrow section.  About mid way down the rap is an overhang making the last part of the rap free hanging.  The edge of the overhang is a bit sharp so pay close attention and try to be careful not to slide the rope along it.  Drop as easily off the overhang as possible.  

In the fifth narrows below rap 4 are a few easy down climbs before coming to a 15 foot slick rock slide.  A meat anchor can be provided for all but the last one down.  The last person can slide down while someone at the bottom helps slow them down before getting to the ground.  

A few hundred feet after rap 2 the canyon opens again but not as wide as most of the other open areas.  It is also very brief before getting narrow again.  The next narrow section is the start of the sixth and last narrow section before getting to the East Fork of the Virgin River.  At the start of the sixth narrow section (wFatManRP-13) is a handline to help ease down into a pothole.  This narrow section is where most of the water is on the route.  The potholes that follow are usually full of water.  A wet suit is nice in cooler months but during the hot part of the year the cool water will feel like a refreshing break from the heat.  

After a few pools to cross is one of the best treats on the route, a grotto with a double arch overhead and a pool at the bottom.  Depending on how much sand has washed in or out of the area the pool below may be a swimmer or only deep enough to need wading.  Unfortunately the grotto is so dark it is VERY difficult to get good pictures of it.  

To drop into the grotto use a hand line to lower yourself down to the pool then swim or wade to the other side.  Once on the other side take a moment to look back at the double arch overhead.  I find it amazing that sections of canyon can get so tight and deep that a flashlight would be nice to have along.  

After the grotto, continue down canyon and enjoy a few easy down climbs along the way.  The temperature of the water should begin to get warmer farther down canyon since a warm spring empties into the canyon here.  

Just before getting to the East Fork of the Virgin River there is a lot more vegetation and some ferns since the water is constant and warm.  As the narrow section opens you are greeted with a lot of vegetation.  Look for a trail LDC that cuts through the vegetation and leads to the river.  

The river (yFatMansBt) is the end of the technical section and is a good spot to take a break, enjoy the views and filter water if you need it for the hike out.  This will be the last water on the route. 

The Exit:
Continue about 0.3 miles downriver (south then west as it curves).  This is a scenic treat similar to portions of the Zion Narrows.  Look for a route up the right (north) side (jFatManOut).  The route up starts up a short trail but soon involves some 4th class sections.  About 0.2 miles from the river you the climb tops out on a saddle.  

From the saddle (wFatManRP-14), look for cairns leading the way up the hills to the left.  There are a couple spots to scramble up along this route.  Keep an eye out for cairns to help follow the route.  The route continues almost due north.  After the trail tops out briefly about 0.25 miles from the saddle it begins to get easier to follow with more defined paths.   

As a reminder this area is full of trails going to many places.  Use a map or GPS and keep an eye on what direction you are going.  This is also the hot part of the route.  Since the route is almost all uphill for a long way and there is little or no shade it can feel like you are in a huge frying pan.  

About 0.7 miles from the saddle will be a set of almost bee hive like formations along the side of the trail (wFatManRP-15).  From these beehive formations continue north-northwest and on the west side of peak 5534.  The trail will drop slightly down to another small valley then back up onto a saddle (wFatManRP-16).  

From the saddle (wFatManRP-16) continue north-northwest.  Note a large drainage on the left (west) but resist the urge to drop down to it. 

About 0.35 miles from the saddle the trail will seem to top out on a slick rock ridge.  This is the slick rock ridge you were on earlier in the day just before dropping down to Fat Man’s Misery.  You should also be able to recognize the south end of Checkerboard Mesa if you were paying attention on your way in.  As the trail tops out on the ridge, turn more toward the west and start dropping down to the drainage below.  Once in the drainage, retrace your route back over the next drainage, around the south end of Checkerboard Mesa, up and over the saddle, down the canyon back to the road.

GPS Waypoint Information

Downloadable GPX files available at BG-Gear Store (easier than manual entry and a great way to support Bluugnome).
Waypoint naming convention and map symbol information can be found on the Glossary page.  Elevations are approximate.
BEFORE
manually entering coordinates set your system to WGS84 datum and Lat/Lon hddd.ddddd° coordinate format
Inconsistent datum's and coordinate formats will result in location errors.

Click to show / expand the list of waypoints below........
Fat Man's Misery East (1) - Approach
  1. tFatMans          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.22593   W -112.88767        Elev: 5,600 Feet
    Trailhead for Fat Man's Misery Canyoneering Route. There is a pull out on the north side of the road on the west side of a drainage that crosses under the road.
  2. wFatManRP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.21964   W -112.88473        Elev: 5,710 Feet
    On the way up the canyon appears to have a fork. Turn and go left to continue up the canyon.
  3. wFatManRP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.21193   W -112.88356        Elev: 6,000 Feet
    Saddle at the top of the drainage.
  4. wFatManRP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20916   W -112.88254        Elev: 5,850 Feet
    A path leading left (southeast) out of the wash about 0.2 miles down from the saddle.
  5. jFatMansLoop          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20078   W -112.86820        Elev: 5,620 Feet
    Junction where the trail splits to go to the top or bottom of Fat Man's Misery.
  6. yFatManWestTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20160   W -112.86320        Elev: 5,180 Feet
    Top entry for Fat Man's Misery West Fork. To continue down the West Fork of Fat Man's Misery follow down canyon about 0.45 miles to rap 1. To go to the East Fork of Fat Man's Misery travel down the wash for about 500 feet to a side ravine on the LDC side running up to the north roughly perpendicular to the canyon.
  7. FatEast01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20068   W -112.86224        Elev: NaN Feet
    Bottom of a ravine running up to the northwest. Route find your way northwest up the ravine / drainage staying on the LUC (north) side going over a ledges here and there. If you stay to the left (north) on the way up the route will slowly contour up away from the drainage bottom. About 100 feet up out of Fat Man's West a few intermittent use trails begin to form. Note: There is also a ravine running up to the north going parallel to the pothole section up canyon. That is not the ravine you want. The ravine you want is the one going north up the side of the canyon running roughly perpendicular to the canyon.
  8. FatEast02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20306   W -112.86085        Elev: NaN Feet
    A few intermittent use trails begin to form up out of the drainage on the LUC (north) side. Continue northwest up the slope about 1000 feet to the crest of a ridge.
  9. FatEast03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20459   W -112.85799        Elev: 5,685 Feet
    Route gest to the crest of a ridge. Continue west down the other side of the ridge and go down the hill side about 0.4 miles and find a way to scramble down to the wash / drainage below. The terrain is easy travel down the slope with no trails or landmarks.
  10. FatEast04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20480   W -112.85220        Elev: NaN Feet
    Route down the slopes gets to the head of a small ravine just above the large wash below. Route find your way around the head then down into the ravine and down it a few hundred feet to where you can scramble down into the wash.
  11. yFatManEastTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20356   W -112.85155        Elev: NaN Feet
    Top of the East Fork of Fat Mans Misery Canyon. Once down in the wash walk down canyon about 200 feet to the start of a slot.
Fat Man's Misery East (2) - The Canyon
  1. yFatManEastTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20356   W -112.85155        Elev: NaN Feet
    Top of the East Fork of Fat Mans Misery Canyon. Once down in the wash walk down canyon about 200 feet to the start of a slot.
  2. FatEast05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20313   W -112.85183        Elev: NaN Feet
    Start of a narrow walk through slot with scenic, undulating, twisting walls. About 0.28 miles down canyon the third open spot passes by a side drainage on the LDC side that may go un-noticed as you pass by.
  3. FatEast06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.19965   W -112.85071        Elev: NaN Feet
    Wide open area with a wide shallow side drainage coming in on the LDC side. The drainage is wide coming down gently sloped slickrock and almost does not look like a drainage and may be easily overlooked. The canyon continues for about 0.3 miles to a slot that has a 250 foot long corridor in it. In that 0.3 miles the canyon is a mix of easy walk through slots and open areas with a few short easy scrambles of 4 to 6 feet mixed in.
  4. FatEast07          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.19617   W -112.85064        Elev: NaN Feet
    Corridor of about 250 feet long shortly into a narrow section of canyon. The canyon continues for about 0.6 miles to a slot that has a 10 foot downclimb. In that 0.6 miles the canyon is a mix of easy walk through slots and open areas with a few short easy scrambles of 4 to 6 feet mixed in.
  5. FatEast08          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18910   W -112.85412        Elev: NaN Feet
    Down climb of about 10 feet that is moderately challenging near the start of a narrow section. Down canyon of this drop the canyon begins to get deeper feeling and the frequency of short downclimbs increases but remains easy. About 500 feet down canyon is a cross joint where the canyon makes a sharp right turn.
  6. FatEast09          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18796   W -112.85498        Elev: NaN Feet
    Cross joint where the canyon makes a sharp right turn. Continuing down from here is the final 0.2 miles long slot of the East Fork and is deeper and darker than the narrow sections up canyon. Down from this cross joint the canyon remains deep and begins to have more water that can get pretty cold. About 100 feet down canyon is a downclimb of about 12 feet to a pool that could be chest deep if full. From the bottom of the downclimb is deep sculpted narrows with log jambs overhead and very pretty. About 200 feet farther is a downclimb of about 8 feet then about 700 feet of deep narrow canyon to rap 1. Just before getting to rap 1 will be a couple downclimbs / slides down sloped slots to water filled pools that can be waist to chest deep and cold.
  7. dFatEastR1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18793   W -112.85642        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 1 - Fat Man's Misery East Fork. Anchored RDC from a single bolted hanger and drops about 30 feet to a large chamber like area with waist deep water. Hope you have your wet suit on here as it can get very cold. From the bottom of rap 1 walk a short distance down canyon to where it opens up to wide wash walking for about 0.2 miles down to the confluence of the West and East Forks. Note: A few hundred feet down canyon of rap 1 is a side ravine on the RDC (north) side as the wash makes a left hand bend. That is not the confluence with the west fork. About 350 feet farther is another large drainage dropping down on the RDC side and is the West Fork of Fat Man's Misery.
  8. jFatManConf          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18811   W -112.85780        Elev: 4,775 Feet
    Confluence of the East and West Forks of Fat Man's Misery Canyon. Continue southwest down the wash about 600 feet to the next rap.
  9. dFatMainR1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18674   W -112.85877        Elev: 4,770 Feet
    Rappel 1 in the main fork of Fat Man's Misery below the confluence. Anchored from a boulder LDC and drops about 30 feet with an overhang about mid way down the rap.
  10. wFatManRP-13          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18431   W -112.86024        Elev: 4,740 Feet
    Start of the sixth narrow section. A hand line is set up to assist with easing down into a pothole.
  11. yFatMansBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18308   W -112.86065        Elev: 4,569 Feet
    Bottom exit of Fat Man's Misery where the route meets the East Fork of the Virgin River.
Fat Man's Misery East (3) - Exit
  1. yFatMansBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18308   W -112.86065        Elev: 4,569 Feet
    Bottom exit of Fat Man's Misery where the route meets the East Fork of the Virgin River.
  2. jFatManOut          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18097   W -112.86247        Elev: 4,560 Feet
    A route starts up the north bank of the river and tops out on a saddle about 0.2 miles away. Some 4th class scrambling is required.
  3. wFatManRP-14          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.18272   W -112.86168        Elev: 4,800 Feet
    Saddle on the trail above the Virgin River and the way out. Look for cairns going up and left.
  4. wFatManRP-15          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.19222   W -112.86274        Elev: 5,388 Feet
    A couple of bee hive formations along the trail. From the beehives continue north along the west side of peak 5534.
  5. wFatManRP-16          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.19522   W -112.86417        Elev: 5,405 Feet
    A saddle after crossing a small valley.
  6. jFatMansLoop          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20078   W -112.86820        Elev: 5,620 Feet
    Junction where the trail splits to go to the top or bottom of Fat Man's Misery.
  7. wFatManRP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.20916   W -112.88254        Elev: 5,850 Feet
    A path leading left (southeast) out of the wash about 0.2 miles down from the saddle.
  8. wFatManRP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.21193   W -112.88356        Elev: 6,000 Feet
    Saddle at the top of the drainage.
  9. wFatManRP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.21964   W -112.88473        Elev: 5,710 Feet
    On the way up the canyon appears to have a fork. Turn and go left to continue up the canyon.
  10. tFatMans          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.22593   W -112.88767        Elev: 5,600 Feet
    Trailhead for Fat Man's Misery Canyoneering Route. There is a pull out on the north side of the road on the west side of a drainage that crosses under the road.