Canyoneering Route Description
Fat Man's Misery
(West Fork) - 3B III (IV)
Zion National Park, Utah.
04-21-07, 8 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 11.7 hours)
07-19-09, 4 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 10.75 hours)
06-06-10, 4 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 13.2 hours) - Navigation experiment gone wrong.
Time Required - 9 to 11 hours
Distance - 9 miles Total, 1.6 miles Technical
Rappels - 4 Rappels, Longest Rappel 50 feet.
Elevation Range - 6000 - 4560 Feet
Shuttle Required -No Vehicle -
Passenger
Permit Required - No
Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up
to 50 feet and 50 feet of 1 inch webbing for sling placement. Wet
suits are not needed in the hot months but in cooler months a wet
suit may be needed.
The approach in to Fat Man’s Misery offers great views around the
south eastern edge of the park! During cooler months I would even
suggest hiking the exit route down to the East Fork of the Virgin
River just for the views. The canyon itself is a series of tight
windy narrows and open sections. Near the end of the technical
section is a dark chamber that goes under 2 arches with a water
filled pool below. After that the water begins to warm up due to a
warm springs seeping out of the rocks. After exiting the canyon
there is a 0.3 mile walk down a beautiful section of the East Fork
of the Virgin River with very tall vertical walls.
The misery on this route (in my opinion) is the hike out. The hike
out is long, mostly uphill, has lots of sand and is very hot even
during some of the milder months. The views are still great but
while exiting you start focusing on the views less as you wish it would
just cool off.
Fat Man’s Misery is not too technically challenging and is a very
enjoyable scenic route both in and out of canyon. Navigating back
may prove difficult if you are not paying attention to where you are
going. Map navigation and or GPS are highly recommended to keep
from getting off track on the way out. There are trails, paths and
cairns all over the area south of Checkerboard Mesa to the Virgin
River. Not all of these paths will take you where you want to go.
Use a map and pay attention.
Highlights in the canyon are a water filled grotto that is dark
enough you almost want to pull out a head light and the warm springs
flowing into the end of the canyon.
To get to the Trailhead
From the East Gate of Zion National Park on highway 9 drive
southwest (into the park) 0.9 miles to a turnout on the right
(north) side of the road (tFatMans). The turnout is on the west side of
the drainage that runs down the west side of Checkerboard Mesa.
To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod
No exit vehicle is needed. This is done as a loop route.
GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom. For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the
Glossary page.
Click the links for maps of the route.
Map of the entire route.
Map of the technical section.
The Approach:
From the turn out (tFatMans) cross to the south side of the road and follow one
of a few use trails leading to the drainage on the west side of
Checkerboard Mesa. Once in the drainage it is easy travel along a
soft sandy bottomed wash. Along with the soft sandy bottom are
areas with close side walls and lots of vegetation. This section is
a very pretty start to the route.
About 0.3 miles from the road you will find the first obstacle. It
is a medium sized boulder wedged between the walls just above the
canyon floor. When you see the boulder back up about 200 feet and
look for a path leading up and around it LUC (left up canyon). A
short distance after dropping back to the canyon floor (about 0.5
miles from the road) the canyon appears to fork (wFatManRP-1).
Follow the left side of the fork to continue the route.
The drainage / canyon starts to get more rock debris along the way
and starts to get steeper. There are a couple of boulder piles
along the way that are relatively easy to climb up and over to
continue up canyon.
A little under 1 mile from the car the drainage will begin to get
steep. Follow a use trail up the steep section to get to the saddle
at the top (wFatManRP-2). The saddle is about 1.1 miles from the
road.
Take some time on the saddle to admire the views. Looking back
toward the road give a great view down on the route you have
followed thus far. Looking over the other side of the saddle (to
the south) you will see a hint of where you will be going next.
Since you may want a break after climbing up to the saddle it is a
good time to look around.
Drop over the other side of the saddle to the south and start down
again. There are a few use trails on the left leading down along
the wash on the other side of the saddle. About 0.2 miles down from
the saddle is a trail leading up out of the wash to the left
(southeast). The point where the trail leaves the wash
(wFatManRP-3) feels more like a trail fork. The wash is flat and
sandy as is the trail you need to follow. You should find a boulder
about 3 or 4 foot in diameter sitting right at the fork (sometimes
has a cairn on it). This boulder has features on it that look like
someone drizzled cake icing in lines all over it.
The trail is now very defined and easy to follow as it wraps around
the south end of Checkerboard Mesa. About 0.4 miles after leaving
the wash there is a short section of slick rock to cross
(wFatManRP-4). While crossing the slick rock look a bit left to
find the continuation of the trail. There may also be an occasional
cairn along the way as well.
While walking along the trail on the south end of Checkerboard Mesa,
take a moment to look around. There are 2 reasons you should do
this. First, it is a beautiful area. Second, what you see here you
should take note of as it will help guide you back on your return
route. If you are oblivious to what is around you on this route it
is possible to get a bit mixed up on the way back.
A short distance after crossing the slick rock section, the trail
will be heading almost due east and you will be able to see the next
drainage ahead of you. If looking on a map, this next drainage runs
south down along the east edge of Checkerboard Mesa and along the
west edge of peak 6525.
When the trail reaches the drainage (wFatManRP-5), cross over the
other side and start up a trail on the other side still heading
east. As the trail continues it will top out after a short section
of slick rock and begin to turn more south east. About 0.1 miles
after crossing the drainage at (wFatManRP-5), the trail will drop
into a small drainage (wFatManRP-6) not shown on a map. Follow down
this drainage (south east) about 400 feet and look for a path
(wFatManRP-8) up and out on the left (east).
The trail continues mostly south east. About 0.2 miles after
leaving the drainage not shown on a map (wFatManRP-7), the trail
will drop down a section of slick rock and cross another major
drainage (wFatManRP-8). This next drainage is shown on maps and is
the drainage that runs south and starts east of peak 6525.
Cross over this next major drainage and start going up the other
side to the south east. Going up and out of the drainage
(wFatManRP-8) will be some sandy trails mixed in with mostly slick
rock. About 600 feet after starting up out of the drainage, you
will find yourself on the top of a ridge that runs south. The top
of this ridge is almost all slick rock.
Continue south down the ridge for about 700 feet. This wide open
feeling slick rock area is where the route forks (jFatMansLoop).
This is where the exit route from Fat Man’s Misery will meet up with
the approach. From here turn left (east) and start over the other
side of the ridge. The other side of the ridge begins as a gentle
slope and starts getting steeper and steeper. There is no
particular spot to go down the other side of the ridge. It is more
like a wide open steep slick rock bowl as you descend down into the
next drainage. The large drainage you are descending to is the
West Fork of Fat
Man’s Misery.
About 0.4 miles from the top of the ridge you will be in the
drainage for Fat Man’s Misery (yFatManWestTp).
Note:
If you were going to the East Fork of Fat
Man's Misery your would go down the wash for about 500 feet to a
side ravine on the LDC side running up to the north roughly
perpendicular to the canyon (FatEast01).
The Canyon / Technical Section:
Once in the drainage (yFatManWestTp) you are a few feet outside the
eastern edge of the Zion Park Boundary.
Start down the drainage to the south. About 0.5 miles you will find
a drop down a narrow slot. This drop is Rap 1.
Rap 1 (dFatWestR1) has two possible anchor points. The first is a pine tree up a
path on the left side of rap 1. The second is choice is to climb
down over the first boulder and look for an old single bolted anchor
down in the slot on the left about head high. From the tree the rap
is about 35 feet and from the bolt the rap is about 20 feet.
The first narrows section is from the bottom of rap 1 and involves a
few down climbs along logs and rocks. There are also a few pools to
wade through. The tight twisted narrows makes it fun. About 500
feet after rap 1 the slot ends and the canyon opens wide.
The second narrows starts (wFatManRP-09) a short distance down
canyon along a flat wall on the left. The second narrows is very
short and involves a few easy down climbs before the canyon opens up
again. This open section does not have much of a wide flat bottom to
walk like the last open area.
The third narrows starts almost immediately after the second. There
is more down climbing in this section but all pretty easily done.
Also in the third narrows you will come to a drop about 20 feet high
down a slightly sloped wall. When you get to this drop, lean out
and look to the right for a glue in style anchor on the right. You
can use this anchor handline down the wall from the anchor. The
sloped wall has a shallow trough in it at the top allow you to scoot
down about 5 feet or and sit to contemplate how you are going to
negotiate the hand line. The last 15 feet of the drop you will need
the hand line, but there is still enough of a slope to the wall to
make it comfortable while holding onto the handline.
Shortly after the handline from the glue in anchor is another drop
of about 12 feet. We were able to set a rappel from a log wedged
above the drop. If the log were not there, another option would be
to use a meat anchor to allow the others to rap down. Everyone
could then assist the last person with the down climb. Then the
people at the bottom can assist the last person down the wall. Just
after this down climb in the third narrows, the canyon opens up
again (wFatManRP-10).
A few hundred feet down canyon will be a crack that needs to be
crossed to continue down canyon. To cross the crack drop down into
a pothole at the top of the crack then climb up a 10 foot ridge on
the left (east) side of the crack. From the top of the ridge it is
easy to simply step over the crack and continue down canyon. Once
over the crack be sure to look down into the crack and find one of
the arches along this route.
About 200 feet down canyon of the crack is the start of the fourth
narrows section (wFatManRP-11). In the fourth narrows section there
are a few easy down climbs along the way. Just before exiting the
narrows section is a down climb that can be a bit sketchy. It is
helpful here to use a meat anchor to belay everyone down then assist
the last person with their down climb.
Shortly after exiting the fourth narrows there is a series of
potholes (wFatManRP-12). These are easily bypassed by staying up on
the ledge to the left. On the right side of the potholes are a few
anchors set from trees. One of these I remember setting up a couple
years ago as something to do for fun. The anchors you see high up
on the right side of the potholes are not part of the normal route.
Shortly after walking past the potholes you will start to notice a
large drop ahead. This is where the route meets the next water
course. As you get closer to the drop, walk down the slope and look
for a large tree with an anchor on it. This is Rap 2.
Rap 2 (dFatWestR2-3) drops down a sloped crack and is easily down
climbed if you would like to save some time. Rap 2 drops about 50
feet to a large ledge.
Rap 3 is right at the bottom of rap 2 and is anchored from a smaller
tree. Rap 3 drops about 50 feet down a slick rock wall to the
canyon floor. At the bottom of rap 3 you are at the confluence
of the East and West forks of Fat Man's Misery. Once at the bottom of rap 3, head down canyon to the
right (south west).
About 0.1 miles down canyon of rap 3 is the start of the fifth
narrow section with a drop at the start of it. This drop is Rap 4.
Rap 4 (dFatMainR1) is the first rap in the main canyon below the
confluence. Rap 4 is anchored from a boulder LDC and drops about 30
feet to the canyon floor in the fifth narrow section. About mid way
down the rap is an overhang making the last part of the rap free
hanging. The edge of the overhang is a bit sharp so pay close
attention and try to be careful not to slide the rope along it.
Drop as easily off the overhang as possible.
In the fifth narrows below rap 4 are a few easy down climbs before
coming to a 15 foot slick rock slide. A meat anchor can be provided
for all but the last one down. The last person can slide down while
someone at the bottom helps slow them down before getting to the
ground.
A few hundred feet after rap 4 the canyon opens again but not as
wide as most of the other open areas. It is also very brief before
getting narrow again. The next narrow section is the start of the
sixth and last narrow section before getting to the East Fork of the
Virgin River. At the start of the sixth narrow section
(wFatManRP-13) is a handline to help ease down into a pothole. This
narrow section is where most of the water is on the route. The
potholes that follow are usually full of water. A wet suit is nice
in cooler months but during the hot part of the year the cool water
will feel like a refreshing break from the heat.
After a few pools to cross is one of the best treats on the route, a
grotto with a double arch overhead and a pool at the bottom.
Depending on how much sand has washed in or out of the area the pool
below may be a swimmer or only deep enough to need wading.
Unfortunately the grotto is so dark it is VERY difficult to get good
pictures of it.
To drop into the grotto use a hand line to lower yourself down to
the pool then swim or wade to the other side. Once on the other
side take a moment to look back at the double arch overhead. I find
it amazing that sections of canyon can get so tight and deep that a
flashlight would be nice to have along.
After the grotto, continue down canyon and enjoy a few easy down
climbs along the way. The temperature of the water should begin to
get warmer farther down canyon since a warm spring empties into the
canyon here.
Just before getting to the East Fork of the Virgin River there is a
lot more vegetation and some ferns since the water is constant and
warm. As the narrow section opens you are greeted with a lot of
vegetation. Look for a trail LDC that cuts through the vegetation
and leads to the river.
The river (yFatMansBt) is the end of the technical section and is a
good spot to take a break, enjoy the views and filter water if you
need it for the hike out. This will be the last water on the route.
The Exit:
Continue about 0.3 miles downriver (south then west as it curves).
This is a scenic treat similar to portions of the Zion Narrows.
Look for a route up the right (north) side (jFatManOut). The route
up starts up a short trail but soon involves some 4th class
sections. About 0.2 miles from the river you the climb tops out on
a saddle.
From the saddle (wFatManRP-14), look for cairns leading the way up
the hills to the left. There are a couple spots to scramble up
along this route. Keep an eye out for cairns to help follow the
route. The route continues almost due north. After the trail tops
out briefly about 0.25 miles from the saddle it begins to get easier
to follow with more defined paths.
As a reminder this area is full of trails going to many places. Use
a map or GPS and keep an eye on what direction you are going. This
is also the hot part of the route. Since the route is almost all
uphill for a long way and there is little or no shade it can feel
like you are in a huge frying pan.
About 0.7 miles from the saddle will be a set of almost bee hive
like formations along the side of the trail (wFatManRP-15). From
these beehive formations continue north-northwest and on the west
side of peak 5534. The trail will drop slightly down to another
small valley then back up onto a saddle (wFatManRP-16).
From the saddle (wFatManRP-16) continue north-northwest. Note a
large drainage on the left (west) but resist the urge to drop down
to it.
About 0.35 miles from the saddle the trail will seem to top
out on a slick rock ridge. This is the slick rock ridge you were on
earlier in the day just before dropping down to Fat Man’s Misery.
You should also be able to recognize the south end of Checkerboard
Mesa if you were paying attention on your way in. As the trail tops
out on the ridge, turn more toward the west and start dropping down
to the drainage below. Once in the drainage, retrace your route
back over the next drainage, around the south end of Checkerboard
Mesa, up and over the saddle, down the canyon back to the road.
Downloadable GPX files
available at
BG-Gear Store
(easier than manual entry and a great way to support
Bluugnome).
Waypoint naming convention and map symbol information can be found on the Glossary page.
Elevations are approximate.
BEFORE
manually entering coordinates set your system to WGS84 datum and Lat/Lon hddd.ddddd° coordinate format.
Inconsistent datum's and coordinate formats will result in location errors.
Click to show / expand the list of waypoints below........
| Fat Man's Misery West Fork (1) - Approach |
- tFatMans
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.22593
W -112.88767
Elev: 5,600 Feet
Trailhead for Fat Man's Misery Canyoneering Route. There is a pull out on the north side of the road on the west side of a drainage that crosses under the road.
- wFatManRP-01
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.21964
W -112.88473
Elev: 5,710 Feet
On the way up the canyon appears to have a fork. Turn and go left to continue up the canyon.
- wFatManRP-02
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.21193
W -112.88356
Elev: 6,000 Feet
Saddle at the top of the drainage.
- wFatManRP-03
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20916
W -112.88254
Elev: 5,850 Feet
A path leading left (southeast) out of the wash about 0.2 miles down from the saddle.
- wFatManRP-04
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20529
W -112.87747
Elev: 5,705 Feet
Slick rock area in the middle of the trail. Look for the continuation of the trail toward the left.
- wFatManRP-05
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20518
W -112.87398
Elev: 5,625 Feet
This is where the trail crosses a drainage.
- wFatManRP-06
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20488
W -112.87164
Elev: 5,640 Feet
Trail drops into a small drainage not shown on map. Continue south down the wash about 400 feet and look for a path out on the left (east).
- wFatManRP-07
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20393
W -112.87082
Elev: 5,610 Feet
Path up out of the small drainage.
- wFatManRP-08
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20237
W -112.86927
Elev: 5,550 Feet
Trail crosses another major drainage.
- jFatMansLoop
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20078
W -112.86820
Elev: 5,620 Feet
Junction where the trail splits to go to the top or bottom of Fat Man's Misery.
- yFatManWestTp
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20160
W -112.86320
Elev: 5,180 Feet
Top entry for Fat Man's Misery West Fork.
|
| Fat Man's Misery West Fork (2) - The Canyon, |
- yFatManWestTp
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20160
W -112.86320
Elev: 5,180 Feet
Top entry for Fat Man's Misery West Fork.
- dFatWestR1
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.19627
W -112.86112
Elev: 5,100 Feet
Rap 1 - Fat Man's Misery West Fork. From the single bolt down in the slot it is about 20 feet or from a pine up on the left it is about 35 feet.
- wFatManRP-09
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.19484
W -112.85949
Elev: 5,025 Feet
Start of the second narrows section.
- wFatManRP-10
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.19323
W -112.85824
Elev: NaN Feet
End of the third narrows.
- wFatManRP-11
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.19243
W -112.85820
Elev: 4,890 Feet
Start of the 4th narrows section.
- wFatManRP-12
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.19029
W -112.85849
Elev: 4,860 Feet
Start of a series of potholes that can be bypassed by staying on the ledge to the left.
- dFatWestR2-3
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.18826
W -112.85783
Elev: 4,780 Feet
Raps 2 and 3 for Fat Man's Misery West Fork. Rap 2 is anchored from a tree and drops about 50 feet (can be down climbed fairly easily).
Rap 3 is anchored from and drops about 50 feet down a slick rock wall to the canyon floor.
- dFatMainR1
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.18674
W -112.85877
Elev: 4,770 Feet
Rappel 1 in the main fork of Fat Man's Misery below the confluence. Anchored from a boulder LDC and drops about 30 feet with an overhang about mid way down the rap.
- wFatManRP-13
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.18431
W -112.86024
Elev: 4,740 Feet
Start of the sixth narrow section. A hand line is set up to assist with easing down into a pothole.
- yFatMansBt
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.18308
W -112.86065
Elev: 4,569 Feet
Bottom exit of Fat Man's Misery where the route meets the East Fork of the Virgin River.
|
| Fat Man's Misery West Fork (3) - Exit |
- yFatMansBt
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.18308
W -112.86065
Elev: 4,569 Feet
Bottom exit of Fat Man's Misery where the route meets the East Fork of the Virgin River.
- jFatManOut
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.18097
W -112.86247
Elev: 4,560 Feet
A route starts up the north bank of the river and tops out on a saddle about 0.2 miles away. Some 4th class scrambling is required.
- wFatManRP-14
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.18272
W -112.86168
Elev: 4,800 Feet
Saddle on the trail above the Virgin River and the way out. Look for cairns going up and left.
- wFatManRP-15
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.19222
W -112.86274
Elev: 5,388 Feet
A couple of bee hive formations along the trail. From the beehives continue north along the west side of peak 5534.
- wFatManRP-16
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.19522
W -112.86417
Elev: 5,405 Feet
A saddle after crossing a small valley.
- jFatMansLoop
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20078
W -112.86820
Elev: 5,620 Feet
Junction where the trail splits to go to the top or bottom of Fat Man's Misery.
- wFatManRP-08
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20237
W -112.86927
Elev: 5,550 Feet
Trail crosses another major drainage.
- wFatManRP-07
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20393
W -112.87082
Elev: 5,610 Feet
Path up out of the small drainage.
- wFatManRP-06
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20488
W -112.87164
Elev: 5,640 Feet
Trail drops into a small drainage not shown on map. Continue south down the wash about 400 feet and look for a path out on the left (east).
- wFatManRP-05
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20518
W -112.87398
Elev: 5,625 Feet
This is where the trail crosses a drainage.
- wFatManRP-04
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20529
W -112.87747
Elev: 5,705 Feet
Slick rock area in the middle of the trail. Look for the continuation of the trail toward the left.
- wFatManRP-03
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.20916
W -112.88254
Elev: 5,850 Feet
A path leading left (southeast) out of the wash about 0.2 miles down from the saddle.
- wFatManRP-02
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.21193
W -112.88356
Elev: 6,000 Feet
Saddle at the top of the drainage.
- wFatManRP-01
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.21964
W -112.88473
Elev: 5,710 Feet
On the way up the canyon appears to have a fork. Turn and go left to continue up the canyon.
- tFatMans
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.22593
W -112.88767
Elev: 5,600 Feet
Trailhead for Fat Man's Misery Canyoneering Route. There is a pull out on the north side of the road on the west side of a drainage that crosses under the road.
|