Pine Creek Canyon - The most FUN technical canyon in Zion National Park 

Pine Creek Canyon - The most FUN technical canyon in Zion National Park
Zion is an amazing place for canyoneering. There are canyons of all difficulty levels from the beginner friendly Keyhole Canyon to the Experts Only Heaps canyon.
But everyone talks about one canyon in particular; Pine Creek Canyon. Pine Creek Canyon has it all. Fun rappels, amazing narrows, the Cathedral, the 100 foot free hanging grand finale and a relatively easy exit.
I don't care how advanced you are and how many times you've done it, Pine Creek Canyon is a blast. You can't deny it.
You park your car at the exit and either have a shuttle or stick out your thumb and hitch a ride. A quick but scenic drive, punctuated by the tunnel and you're at the top. You walk from your car down a short hillside and...you're there. That's the fee for entry. A rarity in canyons, for sure.
Immediately you are faced with a pothole aptly named The Intimidator. They say if you struggle here, it's time to turn around. I disagree. I ALWAYS struggle with The Intimidator. It's just awkward. I was relieved on this trip when my canyoneering crew all had issues; they're much more comfortable climbing than I am. Well, maybe Nick nailed it on his first try.
After The Intimidator, Pine Creek Canyon immediately narrows up and presents you with rappel after rappel. Next thing you know, you're in one of my favorite places in Zion National Park; the Pine Creek Canyon Cathedral. Stop and appreciate what you're looking at before you head down rappel. The Cathedral is truly a special place.
At the bottom of the rappel, you'll quickly have a feel for what the next section of the canyon has in store for you. You'll either be standing in a shallow puddle, signifying you're going to be walking on mostly dry ground, or you'll be swimming in a chilly pool. If you have the latter, which we did on this trip, you'll soon be faced with several long swims through amazing, tight and windy sections of canyon. There are spots that are almost completely dark. I love this section.
Then you're back 'outside' in the light. A couple more rappels and you're at the grand finale. A 100' free hanging rappel into an amazing grotto. Take care when getting on rappel; the footing by the anchor is often on top of flood debris that could give way, sending you straight down into the grotto prematurely.
This is one of my favorite rappels.
A quick downclimb (slide) into a pool and you're out. You've done Pine Creek Canyon. Boulder hop/boulder problem solve your way down canyon and back to your car.
Pine Creek Canyon. I've done quite a few canyons by now, but this is the one that made me fall in love with canyoneering. If you haven't gone through Pine Creek Canyon yet, make plans. If you have, make plans to go back.
Music by Epidemic Sound:
Marauder - Tigerblood Jewel
Having Fun - The Fly Guy Five
Gatekeeper - Torii Wolf
Drag Me Down - Conditional
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Filmed on:
GoPro Hero 9 Black:
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Canon EOS R:
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Weebil S gimbal for your DSLR:
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