Cockeye Falls - Zion National Park

After exiting the 1.1 mile long Zion tunnel continue to proceed East on Hwy-9 to the small Zion tunnel. Park on the West side of the tunnel (before you enter).

Immediately to the South is a visible trail leading down into a small wash. Follow the wash until it reaches the main Clear Creek channel. Turn left and head up the cobble stone riverbed.

Note: Clear Creek is a main tributary for the East side of Zion. If it has water in it you may not be able to continue (and you probably wouldn't want to for safety reasons)

After hiking only a short distance, you are greeted on the right side by a massive Ponderosa Pine tree. This marks the entrance for the short but beautiful Hidden Garden Slot Canyon. It is well worth the short side trip to enjoy this green lush canyon.

After exiting Hidden Garden, again turn up stream and continue on for about 200 yards. Keep an eye open for a small but obvious wash on the right hand side. Enter the wash and begin (almost immediately) to work your way up onto the slickrock. If it is morning, pause and scan the hillside. Sheep like to bed on the slickrock and I noted a small herd of 12. They are cautious and will slowly work their way out of view before you can get very close.

Note: The first section of the slickrock slab is steep. Use the plentiful shelf systems and weakness to work higher. Always see your route before you proceed. Soon the slickrock becomes less steep and moderate gains in elevation are achieved with little effort.

Approximately 1/2 the way up the slab, you will be greeted with a layer of wet rock and a small oasis of ferns, moss and baby pine trees. Use caution in climbing the small ridge to the next layer of slickrock. This is a very delicate ecosystem and care must be taken to prevent damaging it.

Moki-marbles become common in this area. The route rises and falls through a series of slickrock bowls as you continue to head toward the saddle between the two clusters of rock and trees. At this level, turn around and enjoy the view behind you. Visible are the East and West Temples. Progeny Peak is Northwest. I could barely make out the summit registry rock pile. Deertrap Mountain is directly North and Bridge Mountain West.

As you approach the saddle between the trees, the slickrock ends and it is replaced by sand, trees, sagebrush, scrub oak and cactus! Game trails are common through the brush which make the travel easier but not much. The trails are littered with cactus plants making the conscious placement of feet even more tedious than on the slickrock slab. The prominent peak of 6460 becomes visible ahead of you and on your left. The direction of travel is to aim for the right hand side of the saddle. You will be crossing a small plateau at this point.

After negotiating the cactus minefield, the saddle on the West side of peak 6460 and the less prominent rock formation on the right is reached. The Saddle divides the flow of water North and South. North to Clear Creek and South to Parunuweap Canyon. From this viewpoint the expanse of Parunuweap and regions beyond open to your eyes. Avoid dropping directly down into the steep wash on the South side of the saddle. Instead staying close to the smaller rock face on the right hand side, follow the obvious sand ridge to the slickrock wash below and to your right. Skirting where the smaller rock face meets the sandy ridge. Soon you are in an easy traveling slickrock wash veering West.

Continuing to follow the slickrock wash veering to the West you will be able to recognize a prominent white capped Hoodoo in the middle of the slickrock bowl. This is your goal. Scale the easy steps to the top of the Hoodoo and enjoy the views. Directly West are the peaks of Twin Hoodoo Peak (South) and Peak 6310 (North). Only 1/4 mile separates these two peaks. From this vantage point it is possible to make out the fault line heading to the saddle between the two peaks which is the line of travel for anyone on the Parunuweap Pass hike.

Closer at hand to your right (200 yards) is the small peak locals have named Hidden Dragon. Other than the fin shaped ridges descending from the peak, which I assume to be the wings of the Dragon. Try as I might, the rest of the Dragon shape continued to remained hidden to my eyes.

This is a beautiful location to spend a good deal of time, eat lunch, rest and enjoy the views.

Backtrack the way you came until you reach the Saddle. Now head toward the North side and around peak 6460 until you arrive at an obvious North/South ridge. The ridge is wide, sandy and dotted with trees, cactus (again) more scrub oak and other plant life. Follow the game trails staying as close to the ridge line as possible. Views to the East open up as the travel along the ridge line is easy and enjoyable.

Follow the ridge line until it begins to narrow and becomes steep on both sides. Soon you will be faced with a steep descent, three prominent Hoodoos and a view of the road. This is another beautiful place to sit under a pine tree and watch traffic making its way slowly along the twisting Hwy-9. Do the people, craning their necks to look up, notice movement? I wonder. From this vantage point, you can see both sides of the small tunnel and the wide turn out which marks Cockeye Falls.

Carefully, work your way down the East side of the ridge. Using the plentiful shelf systems and ample weakness to arrive at the canyon floor. Caution loose rock and sand.

Follow the beautiful wash downstream toward Clear Creek. There is a dryfall that is easily negotiated by staying far to the right and working a fault line aiming to return to the creek bed below. Soon you will reach Cockeye Falls. Standing at the top of Cockeye Falls don't be surprised to hear motorists honk at you from the road, some using the turnout to stop and take pictures. Use caution looking down the falls as the drop off is sudden and steep. Using the ledge system on the Right hand side (North) of the falls, work your way down to Clear Creek. The further North you travel the easier the descent.

Now hiking downstream in Clear Creek, return past the small wash and large Ponderosa Pine of Hidden Gardens. Turn right up the small wash, and climb up the slope to your parking spot. Smile, what a great hike!