Cable Mountain Trail

Overview

Cable Mountain is a high-country rim hike to the historic draw works perched above the main canyon. You’re hiking for two things: big, airy views straight across to landmarks like Angels Landing and The Big Bend, and the fascinating relics of the timber-hauling “cable works” at the rim. Expect forests, meadows, stretches of slickrock, and far fewer people than down in the canyon.

Distances and routes (out-and-back)

• Shortest/most common: From Stave Spring Trailhead, about 8 miles total with roughly 1,100 feet of cumulative gain. The route undulates along the East Rim, then drops the final mile to the overlook—remember you’ll re-climb that on the way back.
• Long day option: From the East Entrance, about 18 miles total with gentler grades and ~1,000 feet of gain—scenic and steady, but a commitment.
• Closed approach: From Weeping Rock (~15 miles, ~2,400 feet gain via Echo Canyon) remains closed due to a long-term rockfall; plan one of the two approaches above instead.

What it’s like

From Stave Spring, the walking is mostly mellow pine-and-meadow singletrack with pockets of slickrock and cairns. Shade is limited and the sun is real—this is exposed country. The final approach to the rim tightens your focus: cliffs, wind, and a vertiginous drop to the canyon floor. The payoff is a sweeping viewpoint and the fragile remains of the historic draw works—don’t climb on them.

History at the rim

The draw works started hauling lumber off the mesa in the early 1900s, dropping more than 2,000 vertical feet to the canyon near Weeping Rock. It kept canyon construction supplied (think early lodges and buildings) until fires and lightning ended operations in the 1920s. What’s left at the rim is listed on the National Register—photograph, don’t touch.

Geology you’ll notice

You’re on the uplifted edge of the Colorado Plateau, where stacked sedimentary layers were cemented into stone and later carved by water and time. Uplift supercharged erosion, letting streams cut deep canyons like the one below you. The broader region also saw relatively recent volcanic activity, whose remnants dot the plateau.

Best time to hike

Spring and fall are prime: cooler temps, wildflowers in spring, and crisp air and light in fall. Summer heat is no joke up here—start very early and carry more water than you think you need. Winter storms can leave snow/ice on trails and make the Stave Spring access roads impassable. Weekdays see even more solitude.

Logistics and access

• Parking: Stave Spring Trailhead sits off dirt roads near the Zion Ponderosa area; high-clearance is recommended, and the road can be rough or impassable when wet or snowy. Parking is limited. The East Entrance start uses established parking on the park’s east side but makes for a much longer day.
• Water and bathrooms: Bathrooms at trailheads only. Stave Spring is sometimes running but unreliable—treat anything you collect and do not count on it in dry periods.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a wilderness permit. Overnight camping along the East Rim does require one.

Safety and etiquette

Cliff exposure is real—watch footing and keep well back from edges, especially in wind. Sun exposure is continuous; bring robust sun protection and plenty of water. Leave No Trace and give the historic structure a wide berth—oils, weight, and vibration accelerate its decay.

Is it worth it?

If you want Zion’s big-canyon drama without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, yes—this is an underrated rim classic. Choose Stave Spring for a manageable half-day adventure, or the East Entrance for a quiet, full-day wander across the high country.