The East Rim Trail in Zion National Park goes through a more remote area of the park away from the main corridor.   It can be hiked from the East Gate area over the plateau and down into the main corridor (10 miles) or it can be hiked up and back from the start of the Observation Point Trail (9 miles).   We started at the bottom and hiked up to Echo Canyon which was full of water from the previous day’s storms.

At about 2 miles, a trail veers off to the right across slickrock benches, following the north side of Echo Canyon.   This middle section of the trail is the best section for scenery and hiking.

Blue skies and streaky clouds were the backdrop to the orange and white sandstone at this elevation.

The trail crosses Echo Canyon at a shallow spot, then follows the canyon on the east side up to the plateau.   We could see the route we had come as we worked our way to the top.

We enjoyed all the views, but once we crested the plateau, we were in dry forest and grasslands.   Junctions led off to the East Gate Trail, to Cable Mountain and to Deertrap Mountain, but we chose to have lunch and turn around, winding back down to the slickrock canyons below.

We enjoyed this hike, but Observation Point and the West Rim Trail are better hikes yet.   We will come onto the plateau from the East Gate next time and continue on to Cable and Deertrap Mountains.

• More information – East Rim Trail
• Zion Hiking Guide 2014