Canyoneering Route Description

Imlay Canyon sneak route - 4B IV (V)
Zion National Park, Utah.

Quick Facts

08-14-10, 4 people, 2 Days (Travel time in route 16.8 hours) - 5.8 hours to Cross Roads - Full Water Conditions Pictures Icon
09-02-11, 7 people, 2 Days (Travel time in route 13.75 hours) -  5 hours to Cross Roads - Moderately Low Water Conditions Pictures Icon
06-28-14, 6 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 12.5 hours) -  5 hours to Cross Roads - Moderately Full Water Condition
10-19-19, 5 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 11.5 hours) - Almost totally dry with one swim about 15 feet long.  Big Bertha about ankle deep.

Time Required - 11 to 14 hours
Distance - 9.1 miles Total, 1.1 miles Technical
Rappels - 27 Rappels, Longest Rappel 115 feet.
Elevation Range - 4176 - 6050 Feet
Shuttle Required -No  Vehicle - Passenger Permit Required - Yes

Gear Used for Canyon

Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up to 110 feet and 100 feet of 1 inch webbing for sling placement.  There are a lot of rappels that can use a lot of your webbing if replacement is needed. If the canyon has been done recently, you will likely use very little webbing.

Potshots, hooks and other pothole escape gear should be on hand in the event they are needed. 

Wet suits required.  From the cross roads down, wet suits are a must.  5mm thickness should do well during moderate weather.

General Comments

The sneak route into Imlay Canyon starts up the West Rim Trial from the Grotto Bus Stop in Zion.  The route travels up to Scout’s Lookout then up onto the West Rim Trail.  A little over a mile beyond Scout’s Lookout the route leaves the West Rim Trail and travels north up and over two passes (saddles) then drops down into Imlay Canyon at the Cross Roads.  

This route can be done in a long day by those that enjoy traveling fast or may be better suited as an overnight for those wanting to enjoy some time in the canyon with a sleepover in at the Cross Roads.

Driving Directions

To get to the Trailhead

Park at the visitor Zion Visitor Center and ride the shuttle to the Grotto bus stop.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

No exit vehicle required.  This is done a s a loop route.

Maps

GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom.  For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the Glossary page.

Map Link Icon
Click the links for maps of the route. Map of the entire route.
Map of the sneak approach and technical section.

Details

The Approach:
From the shuttle stop at the Grotto (wGrottoBusStp), walk across the road and follow the trail toward Angel's Landing.  The trail starts out flat and easy for a while but soon starts to climb steep switchbacks as it climbs to Refrigerator Canyon.  Continue on the trail through Refrigerator Canyon then up Walters Wiggles which has a series of 21 short but steep switch backs cut into the rock.  From the top of Walters Wiggles (sWaltrsWiglsTp), walk a short distance to Scout’s Lookout (jWestRimS).  From Scout's Lookout follow the signs at the junction for the West Rim Trail (jWestRimS) pointing to the West Rim Trail (not Angel's Landing).

A few portions of the West Rim trail just past Scouts Lookout can be overlooked but do have a few sign posts to help keep you on track.  About 1.2 miles after Scouts Lookout the trail will have a bridge (cWstRmBridge) that crosses a stream.

After crossing the bridge the trail will slowly begin to climb again.  On the right (north) side of the trail will be a deep drainage roughly paralleling the trail.  About 0.2 miles after crossing the bridge, the deep drainage will be less deep and easy to cross over (jImlaySneak).  Leave the trail and walk north down and across the drainage.

After crossing the drainage, note a wide open drainage running up to the north.  Walk sloped slickrock roughly following the drainage but staying up out of it for easier travel.

A little over 0.25 miles after leaving the West Rim Trail, the large drainage splits into 2 parallel drainages continuing north (wImlaySnkRP-01).  Look for then follow up a path running north along the crest of the ridge that divides the drainages.  After about 500 feet the path becomes very well defined and easy to follow.

About 0.5 miles farther, the trail leaves the ridge (wImlaySnkRP-02) and drops to the right (east) down a steep soft dirt slope about 60 feet and into the drainage on the right (east).

Turn left and follow north up the drainage using a various bypass trails to go around obstacles.  Some of the bypass trails are helpful, others are not. 

About 500 feet up the drainage is a fork in the drainage (wImlaySnkRP-03).  Follow the path leading up between the two forks which soon drops back down into the left (west) of the two forks.

About 0.2 miles farther is the top out on the first saddle (wImlaySnkRP-04).  Start down the slope on the other (north) side down steep and loose dirt for about 300 feet before leveling out a little.

A little over 600 feet from the saddle will be a drop of about 25 feet that is bypassed on a short path LDC.

About 250 feet farther, the drainage T’s into another drainage (wImlaySnkRP-05).  To follow the Imlay Sneak route, stay left (west) up hill in the drainage.

Note:
If you were going to Not Imlay Canyon, you would turn right right (east) down hill toward Not Imlay Canyon.

About 450 feet up the drainage past the Not Imlay turn is a wall of about 35 feet (wImlaySnkRP-06) that stops travel up the wash.  About 100 feet before reaching this wall will be a path on the left (west) that will lead up the side of the drainage and up to the top of the wall.  If you miss the path, back track about 100 feet to find the path.  If you want to climb the wall, it is possible to climb up the right side then traverse across the top of the wall to get over it but is sketchy and not recommended.  

From the top of the 35 foot wall (wImlaySnkRP-06), climb up the very steep dirt ravine for about 400 feet to the top of another saddle (wImlaySnkRP-07).  Continue down the north side of this second saddle down steep loose dirt for about 600 feet to where the slope begins to level off a little.  There will be few sections of scrambling to get around obstacles.

About 0.35 miles down from the saddle the drainage takes a sharp left (wImlaySnkRP-08) with a drop of about 30 feet.  Bypass this drop by climbing up a steep hill on the RDC side and not turning with the drainage, then scramble back down into the drainage on the other side.

The drainage is easy and semi flat walking for about 800 feet then begins to widen and drop more rapidly with a few down climbs along rock fall debris.  Near the end of this down climb section is a larger drop with a couple of large logs jammed overhead forming a V shaped bridge over the canyon.  Bypass this drop on a path LDC.

As you continue down the drainage, look for when the RDC (east) wall starts getting significantly lower angle and looks like it might open up on the right (wImlaySnkRP-09).  When you see this, look for a spot to climb up and begin traversing the RDC side down canyon along semi steep sloped slickrock.  Contour along the slope slickrock a few hundred feet as is slowly widens out to wide open slickrock dropping down toward Imlay Canyon.

Note:
If you get to a drop in the wash of about 50 feet that is not downclimbable, you have missed the spot you can scramble up on the RDC wall.  Just back up a little and look for a way up on the RDC side.

Walk north down the slick rock slope toward Imlay Canyon until you reach a drop off. 

As you follow the steep slickrock down toward Imlay Canyon, you have two options for entry:

Option one:
Turn left (west – up canyon) and cross over the drainage you have been traveling down by a pour off.  After crossing the drainage is a short traverse along a dirt path to a steep soft dirt slope down a small side drainage to the floor of Imlay Canyon (wImlayCrossRds).

Option two:
Turn right (east - down canyon) and look for a sloped section of slick rock you can scramble down to the canyon floor by a great alcove good for camping in.

The Canyoneering / Technical Section:
For canyoneering / technical, refer to the listing for the Imlay Canyon full route, starting from point wImlayCrossRds.

The Exit:
For exit, refer to the listing for the Imlay Canyon full route.

GPS Waypoint Information

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........
Imlay Sneak (1) - Approach
  1. wBusStpGrotto          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.25908   W -112.95121        Elev: 4,280 Feet
    The Grotto shuttle stop on the Zion - Floor of the Valley road.
  2. tAngleLnd          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.25998   W -112.95152        Elev: 4,300 Feet
    Angel's Landing Trailhead.
  3. sWaltrsWiglsTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.27534   W -112.95128        Elev: NaN Feet
    Top of Walter's Wiggles. 21 short steep switchbacks cut into the rock for the trail.
  4. jWestRimS          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.27492   W -112.95085        Elev: 5,330 Feet
    Junction off the Angel's Landing trail for the Southern West Rim Trailhead. This is known as Scouts Lookout.
  5. cWstRmBridge          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.28598   W -112.95582        Elev: 5,590 Feet
    A bridge allowing the trail to cross a stream.
  6. jImlaySneak          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.28683   W -112.95903        Elev: 5,690 Feet
    This is where you leave the trail to start the off trail portion of the Sneak Route to Imlay Canyon.
  7. wImlaySnkRP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.29155   W -112.95688        Elev: NaN Feet
    A path is here running north along the crest of the ridge that divides the two parallel drainages.
  8. wImlaySnkRP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.29834   W -112.95899        Elev: 5,820 Feet
    Trail along the ridge ends and drops down into the drainage on the right (east). The path down into the drainage is steep and soft dirt.
  9. wImlaySnkRP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.29975   W -112.95885        Elev: NaN Feet
    Fork in the drainage. Follow up a path between the two drainages.
  10. wImlaySnkRP-04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30245   W -112.95903        Elev: 6,000 Feet
    Top of the first climb on a saddle.
  11. wImlaySnkRP-05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30475   W -112.95850        Elev: NaN Feet
    The drainage dropping down from the saddle T's into another drainage here. To the right (east) is down hill in the drainage which leads toward the Narrows. To the left (west) is up hill in the drainage. To continue on the Sneak Route to Imlay Canyon stay left (north) and continue up the drainage. To drop down the canyon known as Not Imlay turn right (east).
  12. wImlaySnkRP-06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30593   W -112.95887        Elev: NaN Feet
    A wall of about 35 feet blocks travel up the drainage. Look for a path on the left (west) side of the drainage about 100 feet before reaching this wall. Or you can climb up the right (east) side and traverse over the top of this wall. Climbing up and traversing over is not recommended as it is dangerous.
  13. wImlaySnkRP-07          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30697   W -112.95873        Elev: 6,060 Feet
    Top of the second saddle. This is about 400 feet after the 35 foot wall.
  14. wImlaySnkRP-08          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31160   W -112.96046        Elev: 5,690 Feet
    Drainage takes a sharp left and drops over a drop of about 30 feet. Bypass this drop by climbing up and over RDC and not turning with the drainage. Then scramble back down into the drainage on the other side.
  15. wImlaySnkRP-09          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31462   W -112.96175        Elev: NaN Feet
    Drop of about 50 feet that is not down climbable. Bypass the drop by climbing up a steep slope RDC and get up to a the slick rock up out of the canyon.
  16. wImlayCrossRds          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31593   W -112.96232        Elev: 5,320 Feet
    Cross Roads in Imlay Canyon where the shortcut route joins the main route.
Imlay Sneak (2) - The Canyon,
  1. wImlayCrossRds          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31593   W -112.96232        Elev: 5,320 Feet
    Cross Roads in Imlay Canyon where the shortcut route joins the main route.
  2. dImlayR19          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31594   W -112.96107        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 19 in Imlay Canyon. Uses about 60 feet of rope travel over all. Anchored LDC from 2 bolt and hangers. 20 feet then across a pool then down another 12 feet.
  3. dImlayR20          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31532   W -112.95955        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 20 in Imlay Canyon. Drops 12 feet to pool anchored from log.
  4. dImlayR21-22          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31403   W -112.95851        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 21 - 22 in Imlay Canyon. Shortly before reaching rap 21 will be a large stone wedged overhead of about 6ft in diameter. To get to rap 21 you will need to climb up a ramp of log jam debris. Rap 21 drops about 15 feet anchored from choke stone RDC by large boulder. Rap 22 drops about 15 feet to pool anchored up canyon about 20 feet by log used as a dead man. Bumpy rock at the top is a good landmark.
  5. dImlayR23          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31203   W -112.95576        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 23 in Imlay Canyon. Drops about 20 feet to a pool anchored from 1 bolt and hanger RDC.
  6. dImlayR24-27          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31172   W -112.95558        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 24 - 27 in Imlay Canyon. Rap 24 drops about 15 feet and anchored from choke stone at your feet. Rap 25 drops about 20 feet and is anchored from a single bolted anchor LDC on the other side of a natural window. Rap 26 drops about 15 feet and is anchored from a log at the top of the rap. Rap 27 drops about 35 feet and is anchored LDC by 2 bolted hangers.
  7. sImlayDarkSlot          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.31138   W -112.95561        Elev: NaN Feet
    Approximate location of the dark slot in Imlay Canyon
  8. dImlayR28-29          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30981   W -112.95421        Elev: NaN Feet
    Raps 28 - 29 in Imlay Canyon. Rap 28 drops about 12 feet and is anchored LDC from a log. Rap 29 drops about 20 feet and is anchored from a log.
  9. dImlayR30          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30947   W -112.95352        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 30 in Imlay Canyon. Drops about 20 feet and is anchored RDC from a single bolted hanger.
  10. dImlayR31-32          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30910   W -112.95317        Elev: NaN Feet
    Raps 31 and 32 in Imlay Canyon. Rap 31 drops about 12 feet. Rap 32 drops about 15 feet and is anchored LDC from 2 bolted hangers.
  11. dImlayR33          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30883   W -112.95267        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 33 in Imlay. Drops about 25 feet to a keeper. Anchored LDC from 2 bolt and hangers.
  12. wImlayRP-06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30836   W -112.95062        Elev: 4,950 Feet
    Canyon opens briefly. Then tightens up again here.
  13. dImlayR34-37          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30834   W -112.95022        Elev: NaN Feet
    Raps 34 - 37 in Imlay Canyon. Rap 34 drops about 6 feet, anchored from a log and can easily be down climbed. Rap 35 drops about 25 feet and is anchored LDC from 2 bolted hangers. Rap 36 drops about 8 feet is anchored from a log and can be easily down climbed. Rap 37 drops about 15 feet and is anchored from a scarily placed piton RDC and can easily be handlined as well.
  14. dImlayR38-40          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30895   W -112.94955        Elev: NaN Feet
    Raps 38 - 40 in Imlay Canyon. Rap 38 drops about 15 feet and is anchored from a single bolted hanger RDC. Rap 39 drops about 15 feet and anchored from 2 bolted hangers LDC Rap 40 drops about 20 feet and is anchored from 2 bolted hangers LDC. Raps 39 and 40 can be combined as a single rap using 60 feet or rope travel.
  15. dImlayR41-43          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30945   W -112.94936        Elev: NaN Feet
    Raps 41 - 43 in Imlay Canyon. Rap 41 drops about 30 feet and anchored from a single bolted hanger RDC. Rap 42 drops about 20 feet and is anchored from 2 bolted hangers RDC. Rap 43 drops about 10 feet and is anchored from one bolted hanger LDC.
  16. dImlayR44-46          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30972   W -112.94927        Elev: NaN Feet
    Raps 44 - 46 in Imlay Canyon. Rap 44 drops about 25 feet to a keeper and is anchored 2 bolted hangers RDC. Rap 45 drops about 45 feet and is anchored from 2 bolted hangers LDC. Rap 46 drops about 115 feet to the Narrows and is anchored from a few bolted hangers LDC around a corner on a ledge.
  17. yImlayBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30986   W -112.94923        Elev: 4,670 Feet
    Bottom of Imlay Canyoneering route where it dumps into The Zion Narrows.
Imlay Sneak (3) - Exit
  1. yImlayBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30986   W -112.94923        Elev: 4,670 Feet
    Bottom of Imlay Canyoneering route where it dumps into The Zion Narrows.
  2. yOrdervilleBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.30803   W -112.94661        Elev: 4,670 Feet
    Bottom exit of Orderville Canyon. Junction where Orderville Canyon meets the narrows in the North Fork of the Virgin River. Zion Ntl. Park
  3. yMysteryBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.29928   W -112.94447        Elev: 4,560 Feet
    Bottom exit of Mystery Canyon where it meets the Virgin River Narrows after the 120 foot Rap 11.
  4. jRiverWalkEnd          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.29672   W -112.94818        Elev: 4,560 Feet
    This is where the river walk side walk meets the river in The Narrows.
  5. tNarrowsBot          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 37.28535   W -112.94785        Elev: 4,440 Feet
    Bottom trailhead for the Virgin River Narrows at the Temple of Sinawava.

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