Spring in Zion: Pine Creek, Angels Landing, and The Subway

Spring has been amazingly dry and warm, here in Zion National Park. Got a couple of trips in, down in the Park. For your entertainment - a Pine Creek canyoneering trip, a quick run up Angels Landing, and a jaunt to the Subway. Pine Creek with Jason and Greg, March 3rd

Greg Cornelius really wanted to do Pine Creek with flow, so after a little precip reported, he rounded up Jason Robertson and I for a Pine Creek. Uh, no flow, sorry Greg...

The new Zion Adventure Company on Lion Blvd, under construction.

We suited up and started into Pine Creek. Before we got to the bridge, we found a stinky surprise.

Anything in the sun was snow-free, but here in the depts of the canyon, there was a bit of snow. We arrived to the start of the first rappel pool etc. My normal climb up and hop-across was not going to work. We pulled out a rope and sequenced Greg down ONTO the pool, but he broke through…

Jumping into the hole just did not seem like such a good idea. So I headed back upcanyon, past our smelly friend, up around the side to set a rope off a tree. Harder than it sounds. I was able to rap down to the first anchor. Jason came around and set up the retrieval. Then the rope got stuck. Jason pendulummed back to the ledge before the pool, ran back around, reset the rappel longer and came down to join us. In the meantime, Greg was patiently hanging out on the ice, getting a bit cool. Finally, we got the rope retrieved, the first rap set up and the adventure underway...

Here’s Jason on the second part of the first rappel.

Cathedral rappel.

Setting up for the final rappel.
The hike down the boulder-strewn lower Pine Creek was much less painful than I expected.

Back at the top, we went to retrieve our sling, and move the smelly hulk of deer flesh.

Getting it up and over the edge was the real problem. Thankfully, the deer had a handy handle right on the top. Victory achieved, thanks to the Petzl Tibloc.

We pulled it up and plunked it down behind the concrete piling for the bridge. I wanted to make it easy for the Park to haul it up to the bridge, if they wanted to. (Not yet!)

Trophy Shot.

March 21, 2007: Time for a quick run up Angels Landing. With 'old runner' knees, I find myself unable to run on flat ground, but running up hill is fun. Angels Landing has become a favorite training run, nice and steep.

A decent time, bridge to summit hoodoo.

I bring along a pack, a snack, some water, the camera and a sweater.
Here’s the top of the Great White Throne, late in the afternoon.

The trophy shot for the day. From Angels Landing, looking downcanyon. Red Arch Mtn the first on the left.

This one I just call “Honor Code”.

Alpenglow on the top of the East Temple.

And finally - Bruce Silliman, from Bryce Canyon suggested doing a Subway. Yeah, sounds good. We signed up a newbie to carry the rope - Chris Reeves from Toquerville.

Quite a beautiful day – Bruce and Chris in front of Pine Valley Peak.

Hiking toward the slickrock pass.

Entrance to the Subway now in sight.

Not much snow was found, but we suited up early and hiked downcanyon.

The first pool was, uh, quite chilly.

As we got to the spring-fed area, the water was somewhat warmer. Here’s Chris enjoying one.

We found some weird worms in one of the pools. photo: Bruce Silliman

After Keyhole Falls, the straight corridor.

We enjoyed the Subway, then turned around to do the Yo-Yo – to climb back up the Subway. We found a little patch of sunlight to have lunch in.

The crux was going to be the climb of Keyhole Falls. I remember the hole being lower, closer. Bruce and Chris did a great “Crane” action to lift me up. We brought a stick, to possibly assist, but did not need it.

Chris comes up helped by an etrier clipped to the rappel anchor.

We checked out the end of Das Boot, where usually there is an 18 foot jump into 8 feet of water. The jump was slightly out of condition. A couple more weeks before Das Boot is in shape. And then the hike out! It’s only a 1300 foot climb out – a grunt at the end of the day, especially this time of year. A wonderful spring day in Zion.