Mystery Canyon

Beta for Mystery Canyon in Zion National Park

Duration

6

- 9 hrs.

Rating

3

Technical Class Indicates the technicality of the terrain and the tyoe of rope work require.

1 - 

Canyon Hiking Non-technical. No rope is required. See the route description for difficulties.

2 - 

Basic Canyoneering Scrambling, easy climbing or downclimbing. A rope may be handy for handlines, belays, lowering packs and emergency use. Exit or retreat possible upcanyon without fixed ropes.

3 - 

Intermediate Canyoneering Rappels or technical climbing and/or downclimbing. A rope is required for belays and single-pitch rappels. Retreat upcanyon would require fixing ropes.

4 - 

Advanced Canyoneering Aid climbing, multi-pitch rappels and/or complex rope work (such as re-belays, tyrollean traverse, or guided rappels) may be required. Might also require difficult pothole escapes, serious squeezing, extensive high-risk downclimbing, or have difficult-to-establish natural anchors. Rappels longer than 200 feet will usually earn a canyon a Class 4 rating.

B

Water Rating indicates complications due to flowing or still water, under normal conditions.

A - 

Normally dry or with very little water. Wading to waist deep at most.

B - 

Water with no current or light current. Still pools. Falls are normally dry or running at a trickle. Swimming expected.

C - 

Water with strong current. Waterfalls. Wet canyon rope techniques required.

III

Time or Grade indicates the length of the adventure.

I - 

Short. A couple of hours.

II - 

Requires about a half day.

III - 

Normally requires most of a day.

IV - 

Expected to take a long day. Get up early, bring a headlamp. Possible bivy.

V - 

More than one day. Normally done in two days.

VI - 

Two full days or more.

Additional Risk Rating indicates the presence of more risk factors than might be expected.

No Rating - 

Normal risk factors are present on this adventure.

R - 

One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment required. Not appropriate for beginners, even with competent leadership.

X - 

Multiple risk factors exist that will complicate the descent. Errors in technique or judgment will likely result in serious injury or death. Descent should be attempted by expert canyoneers only. This is the least-well-established part of the rating system, and the most subjective. Use by beta-providers varies widely, to the point that this part of the rating means very little.

Longest Rappel

120 ft

Number of Rappels

10 -

13

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City:

Approaches:

Approach Icon

First Rappel:

First Rappel Icon

Last Rappel:

Last Rappel Icon

Exits:

Exit Icon

Calculate time for your adventure

Select your approach, exit, and any shuttles in order to calcualte an estimated time

1. Approaches:

2. Canyon Time:

5 hour(s).

3. Exit Time:

4. Shuttle Times / Other:

Zion Shuttle

25 mins

From the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop, take the Zion Shuttle back to the Visitor’s Center to retrieve your exit vehicle. Be aware of when the final shuttle leaves the Temple of Sinawava.

Total Adventure Time:

(select route options above)

Essential Canyoneering Gear

Wet Canyon Gear

Because this is a wet canyon, we strongly recommend having these supplies

Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Mystery Canyon

Mystery Canyon Rappels

10 - 13 rappels

Starting rappel 1 in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 1

Length: 15 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional Downclimb

Coordinates: 37.294253,-112.930608

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

Two bolted hangers with webbing provide an anchor for the first drop of the day. It is located on the left-hand side of the watercourse on the sloped wall.


Overview

Rappel or downclimb about 15 to continue in the wash. From the bottom head downcanyon for another few minutes to another downclimb and then the second rappel a little beyond the downclimb.



Heading down the second rappel in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 2

Length: 15 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional Downclimb

Rappel 2 AnchorAnchor Icon

A single bolted hanger with a quick link provides an anchor for the rappel.


Overview

Rappel or downclimb down a short drop to continue down the wash. At the bottom, keep walking down the wash for a bit. There will be a short downclimb before you reach the next rappel.



Rappelling down the 3rd rappel in Mystery

Rappel 3

Length: 13 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional Downclimb

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

There is a single bolted hanger with a quick link on the left-hand side of the watercourse.


Overview

Rappel or downclimb down to a sandy landing. Walk down the wash another few minutes to finally reach the first slot section.

Tips

For an easy start, sit down when entering the rappel.



Starting the 4th rappel at the top in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 4

Length: 52 ft

Coordinates: 37.302540,-112.932256

Rappel 4 AnchorAnchor Icon

This rappel is anchored from webbing attached to two nice glue-ins on the left-hand side of the watercourse near head level.


Overview

This is the first rappel of the start of the first slot section. Rappel down a beautiful flute to the slot bottom. If there has been rain recently you might just see water running down the chute as you go down. If there is any water at the bottom of the rappel, it is likely no more than ankle deep.



Going down the 5th rappel in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 5

Length: 41 ft

Rappel 5 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing is tied to a rusty bolted hanger and a pretty solid glue-in at head level on the right-hand wall of the watercourse.


Overview



Looking up rappel 6 in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 6

Length: 30 ft

Rappel 6 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing tied to two awesome glue-ins on the left wall of the watercourse.


Overview

Rappel down a flute in the watercourse about 30 ft. to the ground and then continue down the slot for another 15 yards to the next short drop.



Starting a short rappel in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 7

Length: 10 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional Downclimb

Rappel 7 AnchorAnchor Icon

A single bolted hanger with a quick link provides an anchor for this short rappel or downclimb.


Overview

Rappel down this short drop that can be downclimbed if you so choose. Then walk about 25 ft. down canyon to rappel 8.



Looking up rappel 8 in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 8

Length: 47 ft

Rappel 8 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing with two sturdy glue-ins in located in the left-had side wall of the watercourse.


Overview

This is a two-tiered drop directly in the watercourse. The bottom of this rappel will typically be dry except for after recent rains. When there is water at the bottom, it is usually thigh deep.



Looking up rappel 9 in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 9

Length: 38 ft

Rappel 9 AnchorAnchor Icon

This rappel is anchored from 2 bolted hangers with webbing above head level on the right.


Overview

This rappel has one of the easiest starts in the canyon. Rappel down the angled wall to a small pothole.



Looking down rappel 10 in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 10

Length: 25 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional Downclimb

Rappel 10 AnchorAnchor Icon

A single bolt and hanger on the right-hand wall.


Overview

A short drop is encountered immediately after rappel 9. It is fairly easy downclimb for those who would rather do that.



Rappelling down rappel 11 in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 11

Length: 48 ft

Rappel 11 AnchorAnchor Icon

Two nice glue-ins with webbing are located right in the watercourse.


Overview

This rappel is out in the open before the final slot section of Mystery. Rappel down to a dry, sandy bottom or into a waist-deep pool depending on recent rains. From the bottom of this rappel, follow the wash to the final slot section and the amazing Mystery Springs rappel.



Beginning the rappel into Mystery Springs in Mystery Canyon

Rappel 12

Length: 120 ft

Rappel 12 AnchorAnchor Icon

There are two sets of anchors at the top of this rappel. To access them, follow the secured rope out on the angled slab until you reach them. Both sets of anchors are chains from bolts/glue-ins. The second set of anchors seems to place the rope over a sharper edge than the first set, but either seem to be decent options.


Overview

Walk out on an angled slab to the top of this rappel. This is the Mystery Springs Rappel, which is probably the most scenic of the whole canyon. Rappel down two-thirds of the way to a large boulder, making sure to continue the rappel on the down canyon side of the boulder.



Looking up at someone rappelling into the Narrows from Mystery Canyon

Rappel 13

Length: 115 ft

Coordinates: 37.299390,-112.944357

Rappel 13 AnchorAnchor Icon

This rappel is anchored from chains and two glue-ins.


Overview

Rappel down into the Narrows about 115 ft. This is a beautiful rappel and will always draw a crowd. Careful not to slip and embarrass yourself!