Spend a few hours trudging up a steep mountainside to one of the best viewpoints offered by the list of Zion's classic trails. This challenging path is complete with dizzying drop offs and eye popping scenery looking down into Zion Canyon. The maintained path zigzags its way up the steep mountainside beside familiar reddish Navajo sandstone before venturing through Echo Canyon, a deep gorge filled with water gnawed sandstone pockets. Near the top of the trek you will see white rock; this layer is known as the Temple Cap formation. Beyond Echo Canyon walls drop sharply, giving way to spectacular views. At the trails end, looking down into the canyon is a spectacular display of stone sculptures contrasted by the bluest of skies – thanks to the clean air of southern Utah. At the end, the West Rim Trail can be seen to the right as well as lofty Angels Landing which covers much of the white rock of Cathedral Mountain. A little farther down canyon the Three Patriarchs stand at attention. On the left is the East Rim, Cable Mountain, Great White Throne and far down canyon glimpses of the Watchman and beyond the park, even Canaan Mountain can be seen. The Virgin River forms a lush river valley below, where water skirts around Angels Landing and the Organ, forming Big Bend.
Difficulty: The path is steep and gains elevation quickly, making it one of the most strenuous of the classic hikes in the park. If you have poor fitting shoes it can be quite painful on your toes on the return hike. Hikers that are use to Zion's steep downhill hikes know to lace their shoes tightly on the return to prevent your toes from constantly jamming into the end of your shoes.
Trail Conditions: Most of the trail is a hard surface. It is mostly in full sun and the steep downhill return can be hard on toes and knees. There are drop-offs at high elevations. Stay away from the edge of the trail and cliff edges.
Best Season: Year-round as long as snow and ice are not present on the trail. In the winter the trail can become impassible due to ice. Get an early start in the hot summer months to take advantage of the western exposure and shade in the morning.
Directions - If the shuttle is running, take it to the Weeping Rock Trailhead. If you visit during the winter months, when the shuttle shuts down, drive into Zion Canyon and park at the Weeping Rock Trailhead. Observation Point shares the first part of the trail with the East Rim and Hidden Canyon Trails and branches off the Weeping Rock Trail at the trailhead. The path ascends rapidly as hikers climb the long switchbacks toward their destination. The huge Weeping Rock alcove can be seen during much of the hike and if you are lucky enough to be there after heavy rains, several waterfalls might be visible. The Hidden Canyon Trail intersects the Observation Point Trail and takes off on its own at about the 1.5 mile mark. Bypass this spur and continue north up the trail. Several more switchbacks lead even higher and soon the trail becomes fairly level as a spur on hikers right leads into Echo Canyon.
Zion Canyon: Author of the site, Tanya Milligan, standing at the end of the Observation Point Trail. The view into Zion Canyon from this point is spectacular with the Virgin River winding its way downhill as towering monoliths rise on each side.
Echo Canyon -The hanging chasm of Echo Canyon is a delightful section of this trail. If water is running through the carved walls of the carved crevice then you will hear the rapid rush and cascading of the waterfalls. The first glance of this spectacular slot will be on the left side of the trail. The steep grade eases as the path leads to a lush setting and the trail becomes a wash. When the slot is dry, which is common during drought years in the summer months, it is possible to walk right into the slot canyon from this point and explore, but most of the time there are pools of frigid cold water forming unpleasant obstacles to overcome for the average hiker.
East Rim Junction - All too soon the trail leads away from this delightful, flatter section of the trail, winding its way up the steep path toward the promontory of Mount Baldy. Open views are now the center of attention. Pass the spur to the East Rim Trail that would take hikers to the East Rim trailend near the park's east entrance.
The Mesa - The most stressful section of the trail is paved, but as the trail flattens out toward the top it turns to mixed sand and rock for about .75 miles. During winter months melting snow makes this area a slushy wet mess. Soon there is a signed junction where it is then 2.5 miles to the park boundary. Turn left at the junction, steering west and south toward Observation Point. At the end of the point the reward is some of the most impressive views in Zion National Park.
Observation Point - From the point, Angels Landing and the West Rim are to the right. Cathedral Mountain, Castle Dome and the Three Patriarchs are farther down the canyon but also to the right. To the left is the East Rim: Cable Mountain, Great White Throne, and at the far south section of the park is the Watchman.
Trail History - Few in the park ever use the name of the mountain where Observation Point sits, but is was named Mount Baldy in 1928 by Stephen S. Johnson. Before the switchbacks were built, in 1922, the hike was a grueling 18 miles. From the uppermost sections of the trail the Hidden Canyon, lower Observation Point and the West Rim Trails can all be seen.
Options - From the Observation Point Trail you can take a peek into Echo Canyon, continue on the East Rim Trail, drive into East Zion and begin on the East Mesa Trail or take the side spur to Hidden Canyon.
Echo Canyon - Echo Canyon is a fun slot canyon with many high wall sections and eerie lighting that during the driest of years in the summer you might be able to explore parts of it. There are some areas blocked by boulders that will be difficult to climb up and down. A good climber should be part of the group. Be prepared for pools of neck high cold and even stagnant water. Canyoneers will explore the technical sections of the slot canyon from the top down. If you see people hiking up the trail with big backpacks and helmets, they are heading to the trailhead for the technical Echo Canyon route. The conditions in this slot canyon change and there is a flash flood danger. Check weather conditions before hiking. Permits are required for Echo Canyon. This is a popular canyoneering route in Zion.
East Rim Trail - 2 miles up the Observation Point Trail is the spur to complete the 10 mile East Rim Trail. The East Rim hike is most enjoyable when starting near the East Zion entrance station, so the trek along the steep path is downhill rather than an uphill climb and the views in that direction are impressive. The 10 miles does not include the spur to Observation Point.
East Mesa Trail - To take the East Mesa spur: Continue up the trail, past the junction to the East Rim Trail. Just a short distance from the trail-end, .3-miles, there is a sign directing hikers to the park boundary. Turn here. This trail is less scenic and is used mostly by canyoneers going to the technical slot canyon - Mystery Canyon.
Hidden Canyon - Hidden Canyon passes pools of water trapped in pockets of rock and ends in a hanging canyon. The canyon is a side-ravine between Cable Mountain and the north wall of the Great White Throne.