Overview
Clear Creek has carved a beautiful slickrock valley in the eastern parts of Zion National Park. Visitors who enter the park from the east, travel on Route 9 through this scenic valley. Between the park’s east entrance and the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel, Route 9 provides access to many side valleys and canyons that drain into the Clear Creek Valley. While exploring some of the canyons requires technical skills, many of the valleys can be hiked. There are, however, no established trails and no signs on the road for these hikes.
Many Pools is one of the side valleys on the north side of Route 9. Running water has dug a continuous series of small pools in the slickrock floor of the valley resembling beads on a string. The valley can be hiked for about a mile north of Route 9 where it turns into a tight canyon. Further hiking requires serious bushwhacking. Please see
Bob Sihler's Page if you are interested in hiking to reach the top of the mesa where the trail to
Deertrap Mountain and
Cable Mountain run.
On a topographic map, Many Pools and the valley immediately to the west of it resemble a root canal. For this reason, these valleys are sometimes referred to as the Root Canals.
Map |
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Getting There
Please note that there are no signs on the road for this hike. It is obviously very important that you identify and enter the correct valley. Study your map carefully. The GPS coordinates below may also be helpful.
From the town of Springdale, drive east on Route 9. Go through the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel (the long tunnel) and continue east. You will soon reach the small tunnel. Continue east 0.8 miles on the east side of the eastern entrance of the small tunnel until you see a pull-out on the right (south side) of the road. Park here and hike east on Route 9 for 500 ft until you reach the Many Pools Valley.
GPS Coordinates for the entrance into the Many Pools Valley from Route 9 are:
37 degree, 13.397 minute North
112 degree, 54.878 minute West
Route Description
The information below takes you from Route 9 to the beginnings of the tight canyon where bushwhacking starts. All distances are per my GPS.
Place | Elevation | Distance |
Route 9 | 5350 ft | zero miles |
Dry Waterfall | - | 0.75 miles |
End of Hike | 5850 ft | 0.35 miles |
Total | - | 1.1 miles |
Descend a short distance down the road embankment, enter the Many Pools Valley and head north. You will find yourself in a wide, colorful slickrock valley with slickrock mountains all around you
Turn around frequently and enjoy the view to the south
Looking South |
Looking South |
You will soon go by this interesting formation
Rock Formation |
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Depending on the time of the year, you may note a trickle of water running down the slickrock valley floor
Trickle of Water |
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After 0.75 miles, you will reach a dry waterfall. You can hike up the slopes on the west side of the falls
Dry Waterfall from Above |
Dry Waterfall from Below |
Near Dry Waterfall |
You will see pools like beads on a string. Looks closely to see frogs in and around the pools
Many Pools |
Many Pools |
Frog, by Bob Sihler |
Frog, by Bob Sihler |
More slickrock scenery
You will then reach a wide open area surrounded by trees
Wide Open Area |
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Further north, a tight canyon begins to form. As you go farther, bushwhacking becomes more intense. This is the end of the hike.
Canyon |
Canyon |
Weather & When to Hike
See the forecast for
Springdale, UT
Summer may be too hot to hike. The best time is Spring & Autumn. Winter in this area is mild.
Red Tape
Day hikes do not need a permit.
When I checked with the Back Country Desk at the park headquarters, I was told that day hikes into non-technical canyons do not need a permit. I recommend that you personally check with the park before hiking.
See link below for all rules and regulations:
http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htmExternal Limks
Many Pools