National Park Service Zion National Park U.S. Department of the Interior The offi cial backcountry planner of Zion National Park BBackcountryackcountry PlannerPlanner Summer 2008 Be Prepared, Plan Well, Live Long Trips into the Zion backcountry, even cliffs everywhere. Rangers at the Kolob ratings. But your safety is your respon- depends on your own good judgement, short ones, require advance planning. Canyons and Zion Canyon Visitor Centers sibility. Every year, a number of people adequate preparation, and constant at- Summer weather is hot and dry, winter can help by providing current condi- are seriously injured or die while visiting tention. Don’t let an accident ruin your can be cold and icy, narrow canyons are tions, weather forecasts, and National the backcountry of Zion. Your safety vacation. subject to fl ash fl ooding, and there are Weather Service fl ash fl ood potential What’s Inside Planning Your Trip Leave No Trace . 2 Shuttle Schedule Permits gov/zion. Reservations are available on-line help defray the cost of issuing permits, Climbing & Stock Use . 3 Permits are required for overnight trips until 5 p.m. the day before your trip. backcountry patrol, resource monitoring, The Narrows & The Subway . 4-5 in the backcountry (including climbing trail maintenance, and search and rescue. Planning Map . 6-7 bivouacs), through hikes of the Virgin River Walk-in Permits Permits, Reservations & and tributaries, and canyons requiring the Walk-in permits are available for all areas Zion Canyon Shuttle Canyoneering . 8-9 use of descending gear or ropes (including in Zion National Park. At least 25% of all Travel in Zion Canyon from March 21 to Backpacking . 10 the Subway). Permits are available the day permits are available for walk-ins. Walk-in November 2 is by shuttle bus only. The Flash Floods . 11 before or the day of a trip at both visitor permits are given out the day before, or the buses have room for backpacks, climbing Maps & Guides . 12 centers. day of your trip. Arrive early if you wish gear, two bicycles, and other equipment. to visit a popular area, such as the Subway, Buses run often throughout the day. You Permits Hours Reservations on a summer weekend. See page 8 or visit may get on and off as often as you like. The Fall 2007 - March 6, 2008 Reservations are available for many back- www.nps.gov/zion for more information. buses are free. Check the schedule, page 3. 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Zion Canyon country trips. See page 8 or visit www.nps. If your hike ends at a trailhead in Zion Can- 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Kolob Canyons On-line Permits yon, plan your trip so you will not miss the March 7 – April 26 Group Size Frequent visitors can obtain permits on-line last shuttle of the day. Only the Zion Canyon 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Zion Canyon Large groups produce larger impacts. through our Zion Express Permit Program. Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kolob Canyons Group size is limited to a maximum of 6 See page 8 or visit www.nps.gov/zion for the Zion-Mt Carmel Highway through the April 27 – May 24 or 12 people sharing the same affi liation more information. New in 2008, express park is open to private vehicles all year. 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Zion Canyon (school, club, scout troop, family, friends). permit members can get permits three days 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. Kolob Canyons Backcountry News Larger groups may split and visit different before their trip. For example, canyoneers May 25 – August 30 areas. They may not visit the same drain- wanting trips on Thursday, Friday, and A Backcountry Management Plan was com- 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Zion Canyon age, route, or backcountry trail, on the Saturday can get all three permits on-line pleted in 2007. Some use limits and group 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. Kolob Canyons same day. This is strictly enforced; violators Wednesday. Avoid lines, use express permits! size limits have changed. See page 7 for August 31 - October 11 are cited. The group size limit does not details. The Narrows campsite 8 is closed 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Zion Canyon Permit Fees apply to trails in Zion Canyon including because of fl ashfl ood danger. We hope to 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. Kolob Canyons Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, Observa- Backcountry fees are based on group size: relocate it to a safer spot. To protect cryp- October 12 - Spring 2009 tion Point, and The Narrows to Orderville $10 for 1 to 2 people, $15 for 3 to 7 people, tobiotic soil, designated campsites will be 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Zion Canyon Canyon. $20 for 8 to 12 people. Fees are used to created next year in the Southwest Desert. 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Kolob Canyons National Park Service General Information Shuttle Schedule Mountain Lions U.S. Department of the Interior Emergencies Bicycles and Other Vehicles THE ZION CANYON SCENIC DRIVE IS BY SHUTTLE ONLY FROM MARCH 21 TO NOVEMBER 2, 2008. For 24-hour emergency response, call Bicycles and other vehicles are not allowed Private vehicles are not allowed. Plan your trip to include using the shuttle. There is room Zion National Park 435 772-3322 or 911. Zion Canyon Medi- off roadways. Bicycles are allowed on the for backpacks and climbing equipment. Buses are fully accessible. Pets are not allowed. cal Clinic is in Springdale, call for hours, Pa’rus Trail. When riding from the south 772-3226. The nearest hospitals are in St. entrance, use the Pa’rus Trail instead of the Spring & Fall Summer Superintendent George, Cedar City, and Kanab. main road. Shuttles will not pass moving March 21-May 17 & Sept. 7-Nov. 2 May 18-Sept. 6 Jock Whitworth bicycles. If you want a bus to pass, pull over Zion Canyon Loop Zion Canyon Loop Mailing Address Weather and stop. Do not pass a moving shuttle. Visitor Center departures Visitor Center departures Zion National Park Check weather forecasts at visitor centers Ride on the right side of the road in single fi rst bus 6:45 am fi rst bus 5:45 am Springdale, Utah 84767 or the National Weather Service web site: fi le. Wear your helmet. Shuttles have racks 15 minute service 7-8:30 am 10-15 minute service 6:30-9 am Web Site www.weather.gov. for two bicycles. 7-10 minute service 8:30 am-8 pm 6-10 minute service 9 am-8 pm www.nps.gov/zion 15 minute service 8-9 pm 15 minute service 8-9 pm Park Headquarters Treat Your Water Pets, Fires, & Firearms last bus 9:30 pm 30 minute service 9-10:30 pm 435 772-3256 Water collected in the backcountry is not Pets are not allowed on backcountry trails. last departure from last bus 10:30 pm Fax 435 772-3426 safe to drink without treating it. There are Even well-behaved pets may disrupt wild- Temple of Sinawava 10 pm last departure from Springdale Loop Backcountry Information 435 772-0170 two methods. •Boil: Bring water to a rolling life and other visitors. Campfi res are not Temple of Sinawava 11 pm E-mail boil for one minute. Add an additional min- allowed in the backcountry. Use a gas stove. Express bus up-canyon leaves Springdale Loop [email protected] ute for each 1,000 feet above sea level. Firearms are prohibited. Majestic View 6:30 am Express bus up-canyon leaves Employment Information •Filter and disinfect: Filter through an Zion Canyon Theater departures Majestic View 5:30 am www.usajobs.opm.gov. Seasonal jobs “absolute” 1 micron fi lter, or one labeled as Transportation fi rst bus 7:15 am Zion Canyon Theater departures are listed on: www.sep.nps.gov. meeting ANSI/NSF International Standard You may choose to complete your hike at a 10-15 minute service 7:45 am-10 pm fi rst bus 7 am last bus 10 pm 10-15 minute service 7 am-10 pm Emergencies #53. Then add eight drops of liquid chlo- diff erent location from your starting point. last departure from 30 minute service 10-11 pm Call 911 or 772-3322 24 hours a day or rine bleach, or four drops of iodine, per Private shuttle and taxi services are avail- Majestic View 10:15 pm last bus 11 pm contact a Park Ranger. gallon of water and let stand for 30 minutes. able. Inquire at the backcountry desk. last departure from Lost and Found Carry enough water—one gallon per person per November Majestic View 11:15 pm Report at any visitor center. day—and drink it. Carry a map and know how to Voluntary shuttle on weekends; Zion use it. Being prepared could save your life. Canyon Loop only. Check for schedule. Leave No Trace Climbing The Leave No Trace program promotes Carry maps and know how to use them. Tell Dispose of Waste Properly Minimize Campfi re Impacts ZION’S 2000-FOOT CLIFFS ARE WORLD RENOWNED FOR THEIR BIG WALL CLIMBS. ZION IS NOT A MOUNTAIN LIONS ARE WILD ANIMALS AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. THEY HAVE BEEN OBSERVED and inspires responsible outdoor recreation someone where you are going and when Carry your trash out of the backcountry Campfi res are not allowed in the Zion place for inexperienced climbers. There are few top roping areas, and no sport climbs.