Hiking in Cane Beds, Arizona

Cane Beds, Arizona, an unincorporated village in the Mojave Desert, is centered at the intersection of Cane Beds Road and Old Dica Road, 10 miles southeast of Colorado City, Arizona along the Utah-Arizona state line. Cane Beds is less than 20 miles from Zion National Park in Utah, the nearest place to Cane Beds with surveyed hiking trails; from Cane Beds, take Highway 59 west to Highway 9, then take Highway 9 East into the park.

Hiking Cautions at Zion National Park

Zion's trails are categorized as easy, moderate or strenuous. The strenuous trails may require ropes and climbing hardware, including rappel apparatuses, to negotiate. Some trails require walking in water, and several trails involve walking in dry washes where rain can cause flash floods. Carrying drinking water is necessary on these trails, and hikers are warned not to light fires or matches. There are venomous snakes in the park that are active during warm months. Zion National Park provides an online map of all trails.

Easy Trails

Pa'rus Trail is a two-hour hike that begins at the Visitors Center. It is handicapped accessible and allows bicycles and pets. Archeology Trail is a half-hour trail, and while it not a technically hard hike, it is a steep one that will require slow walking or good endurance. Archeology Trail starts at the Visitors Center; no dogs or bikes are allowed and it is not handicapped accessible. The Lower Emerald Pool Trail starts at the Zion Lodge, and it is listed as a one-hour trail. Dogs and bicycles are prohibited and there is no handicapped access. This trail takes hikers to the Emerald Pool and Waterfalls. Grotto Trail connects Zion Lodge to the Grotto, and hikers can begin at either end. It is a half-hour trail that allows neither dogs nor bikes, and is not handicapped-friendly. Grotto Trail intersects Emerald Pool Trail, so hikers can combine the two for a one-and-a-half hour walk. Not surprisingly, the Weeping Rock Trail begins at Weeping Rock. It is only a half-hour trail, but the grade is steep enough to make a hiker's heart beat quickly. Weeping Rock Trail admits no wheelchairs, pets or cyclists. Riverside Walk is a wheelchair-accessible one-and-a-half hour hiking trail that follows the Virgin River. The trail begins at the Temple of Sinawava.

Moderate Trails

None of the moderate or strenuous trails allow wheelchairs, pets or cyclists. Starting at the Zion Canyon Visitors Center, Watchman Trail is a twohour trail with minor drop-offs. The two-hour Middle Emerald Pools Trail begins at Zion Lodge. It goes to Emerald Pools and Waterfall, and has loose ground and a few long drop-offs. The Upper Emerald Pools Trail also starts at Zion Lodge, but it is a one-hour hike with only minor drop-offs. Connecting the Grotto to Emerald Pool is Kayenta Trail, starting at The Grotto. This one-hour trail is completely unpaved and has some long drop-offs. From the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, you can begin hiking the Canyon Overlook Trail, a one-hour trail, with very long drop-offs, some of them fenced. Only if you are in very good shape should you hike Taylor Creek Trail. This trail is a four-hour trail, and the park authorities allow no more than 12 people to a hiking party on Taylor Creek. The trail head is on Kolob Canyons Road. Rugged but mercifully short, the Timber Creek Overlook Trail is a half-hour trail that also begins on Kolob Canyons Road and follows a ridgeline to a scenic peak with views of Kolob Terrace and the Pine Valley Mountains.

Strenuous Trails

The five strenuous trails listed below are not appropriate for casual or out-of-shape hikers, children or anyone who has a strong fear of heights. West Rim Trail begins at The Grotto and ends at Angels Landing Summit. The name of the summit suggest that this places has some vertical exposure. The park calls this a four-hour trek, with plenty of long and unprotected drop-offs. Hidden Canyon Trail takes off from Weeping Rock. It is a three-hour trail that takes hikers along an unprotected cliff face to the bottom of Hidden Canyon. Hikers that want to climb to Observation Point can start at Weeping Rock and head up the East Rim Trail. The trail is listed as a five-hour hike, so bring provisions. There are long drop-offs along the route. Unlike its namesake among the easy hikes, the Riverside Walk to The Narrows is an extension of the same trail to the Virgin River Narrows that will take healthy hikers eight hours to complete. Though the hike does not have many height hazards, there is a real danger during rains of flash floods. La Verkin Creek Trail begins at Kolob Canyons Road and ends at Kolob Arch, a spectacular natural formation. While this one may not have you gripping the vertical faces, it will take you eight hours. Bring food and water and be in shape if you're going to tackle this long hike.