East Mesa

   Description: Day Hike that offers another route to Observation Point.

   Distance: 3 Miles One Way

   Difficulty: Easy

   Highest Elevation: 6,810 Feet Above Sea Level

   Jurisdiction: Zion National Park

      The East Mesa Trail, which is also open to horseback riders, offers an alternative trail to Observation Point. It will take you through stands of Ponderosa Pine etc., and offers stunning views of the Pink Cliffs & Grey Cliffs of the Virgin Rim, Mystery Canyon with its White Cliffs, Echo Canyon, and The West Temple.

   The East Mesa trailhead is located only a few hundred yards away from Zion’s Eastern entrance. After hiking the East Mesa trail for 3 miles, the trail joins the Observation Point Trail only 0.2 miles away from its end point. From there, you may either hike out the way you came, or you may descend from Observation Point 8 miles down to the Weeping Rock area at Zion Canyon Road. If you do all that, it is about an eleven and a half mile trip and is rather strenuous.