A Beautiful Canyon.

The Right Fork is a beautiful canyon, though it takes considerable effort to get to the best parts, the waterfalls. While the Left Fork requires 2 hours of rugged hiking up a streambed to get to The Subway, the Right Fork takes about twice the effort to get to the first waterfall, though the hike itself is quite nice. Once there, the Right Fork offers several nice waterfalls and an interesting section of canyon. A massive fire in June 2006 scorched the first two miles of this hike, and that section can be very unpleasant, and the trail difficult to follow.

The Right Fork from the Bottom makes a good off-trail backpack trip. The Right Fork through-hike is a wonderful, two-day canyoneering route requiring rappels and swims.

There is a great deal of poison ivy in the Right Fork. Fresh flowing water is available the full length of this hike, and requires filtering.

If done as a backpack trip, plan on staying close to Double Falls, and exploring without heavy packs past there.

HIKE Profile

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS

The trail gains 1000 feet (300 m), and most of the hike is in the full sun.

Spring - Expect higher and colder water flowing during spring runoff, when crossings may be deeper. Neoprene socks are nice if getting feet wet (likely).

Summer - HOT! Leave early to avoid the heat and be aware the hike out is in full sun. The first couple miles from the trailhead are especially exposed, with very little shade.

Fall - the BEST time to hike this route, with great fall photography along the creek bed.

Winter - Possible snowpack and ice along the waterfalls. Use caution and check current conditions at the Zion Wilderness Desk.

The Business

From the Trailhead, follow the trail southeast through the blackened Pinon-Juniper ghost forest to the rim of the canyon. The map does not show the steepness of the rim. Carefully descend the trail through lava cliffs and down to the stream. Make a careful mental note of where the trail cuts back up to the rim, as it can be hard to find at the end of the day, and getting back to the rim without the trail is dangerous. Turn left (upstream, northeast) at the stream and proceed upcanyon ¼ mile (400 m). The stream forks – take the right fork east into the wide canyon.

Rugged hiking in the streambed for several hours leads to the best part of the canyon. As the canyon narrows, a double-waterfall jetting into a pool is found. This is Double Falls. A trail on the right cuts around the falls, and allows access to the next waterfall, then to the falls above that one – Barrier Falls. Getting past Barrier Falls requires technical rock climbing on bad rock and is not recommended.

Return the way you came.