Telephone Canyon

Location: Zions National Park
Rating: Intermediate 3A III
Length: 7-12 hours
Longest Rappel: 165ft (50m)
Start: The Grotto (West Rim Trail)
End: The Grotto (West Rim Trail)
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: Begin hike up to Angles Landing (West Rim Trail). Canyon approach is about 4.5 miles with 2500ft ascension. Many are deterred because of the difficult hike up to the canyon. The canyon contains 13 rappels. A short canyon but includes rappel after rappel. Before you pull your rope find the next anchor :)

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.  Continue up the steep set of switchbacks to the top. At the signed junction the West Rim Spring lies 100 yards down on the right. West Rim Trail to Lava Point heads to the left, the Telephone Canyon Route continues straight. Stay straight on the Telephone Canyon Trail past campsite #1 and walk for 10 minutes. Turn right into the burned out forest and walk to the head of Telephone Canyon.