Spearhead Canyon

Location: Zions National Park
Rating: Advanced 4B V
Length: 7-10 hours
Longest Rappel: 200ft (60m) - or more. This terrain uses natural anchors that may have changed
Start: The Grotto (West rim Trail)
End: North of Emerald Pools (bush whack)
Permits: Required
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: No

** Permits can be obtained from Zion National park through an online lottery system. The lottery is 2 days, 7 days or 3 months in advance. Mystery and Subway are the only canyons with a lottery 3 months in advance. Click here for site lottery.

Overview: I have not done this canyon and from my research not many do. Prepare! Bring extra gear. The hike to Behunin Canyon is hard enough, but to travel 2-3 times that distance to reach Spearhead is quite the climb.  Begin hike up to Angles Landing (West Rim Trail). Canyon approach is 3.8 miles with 2000ft ascension. Many are deterred because of the difficult hike up to the canyon. 7-10 or so rappels. Bring extra gear for multi-pitch, and bolt setting just in case.

Approach:

Take Zion shuttle to Grotto shuttle stop. Head up the West rim trail. You will pass the Angels landing split off and continue forward. The trail will veer west after a short jaunt and through a nicely forested area, (forested for a desert anyhow).  Once the trail veers north again up a step set of switchbacks - you’ve found the mouth of Behunin Canyon.  The 3.8 mile trek may prove disheartening for some. At this point do not head up the switchbacks but drop into the canyon and begin following it down southward. This is the Behunin Canyon. A trail guide is handy to have at this point. Spearhead is the next canyon over to the east. Once you reach a point where the waterway heads east – climb up. You will back-track and up northeast quite a bit as you walk the long way around the first descent of Behunin Canyon. Once you come around Mount Majestic Head East toward Hook Canyon and Spearhead.  Spearhead drops to the south (right).