— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “royserati”
Great report, Roy. Info on the Pine Ck. shortcut. It ends at the highest eastern switchback. The key is finding the trail at the beginning. It is well formed 10% of the way in, but vague at the start. One needs to go up boulders all the way to the wall, left looking down canyon, to pick it up. If you don’t have it there, don’t venture forward. I do have some concerns about the trail though. In two spots, in particular, right past small washes, it is eroding out badly. It is so much faster and eliminates the dangerous (but fun) big boulder hopping. If the trail could be stabilized, it would be wonderful. A service project?? Ram
Tom Jones
Pine Creek Shortcut:
Alternative Exit: It is also possible to follow a traversing trail across to the end of the top switchback. This is shorter and easier, but less fun and more exposed to the sun. There’s a bit of poison ivy on the trail – stay alert.
From the Fairy Glen, cut left around the rocks to the left side of the canyon and a small trail heading steeply up the slope, next to some old cable. Climb up, then traverse under the prow of a large boulder, then up to the base of the cliff. From here, the trail traverses at the same height, past two deep ravines, to the end of the top switchback below the tunnel. Please follow the trail carefully and minimize your impact. The trail is easily lost in a few spots – look for it at the same level. Do not climb or descend to hunt for the trail.
— Good point on erosion. For a NEW trail, it is in really good shape. Would be good to get the trail crew onto it before it gets really bad. I don’t see much trailwork being done by “service projects” in Zion – the trail building is too technical.
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “adkramoo” wrote: > — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “royserati” wrote: > and down Pine Creek in record time.
Unfortunately, we decided to try to short-long-cut the exit and
ended up in a comic cross-country bushwhack that made the standard
exit seem like a stroll.
Great report, Roy. > Info on the Pine Ck. shortcut. It ends at the highest eastern switchback. > The key is finding the trail at the beginning. It is well formed 10% > of the way in, but vague at the start. One needs to go up boulders all > the way to the wall, left looking down canyon, to pick it up. If you > don’t have it there, don’t venture forward. > I do have some concerns about the trail though. In two spots, in > particular, right past small washes, it is eroding out badly. It is so > much faster and eliminates the dangerous (but fun) big boulder > hopping. If the trail could be stabilized, it would be wonderful. A > service project?? > Ram