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Jolley Gulch

Zion beta posted by ratagonia
  • The Hype

    A sweet little canyon. Two or three raps, of which the first is scenic and dramatic. It is rarely wet - unusual for Zion. Perhaps a good place for people to do their first long rappel.

    Getting There

    Jolley Gulch is inside Zion National Park, so you will need a permit. Group size limit of 6 / daily quota of 20.

    Jolley Gulch is just inside the eastern boundary of Zion National Park, and just north of the Zion-Mount Carmel highway and the East Entrance of the Park. The East Rim Trail starts at a small parking lot that is 100 yards north of the highway, about 100 yards west of the entry kiosks. Follow a small road north past a few NPS employee-housing units to the small, shady parking lot.

    The East Rim Trail is wide and sandy, and mostly fairly flat. Hike the trail three miles (about one hour) to where a small wash crosses the trail and falls over the edge of Jolley Gulch.

    The Canyon - Rating: 3A II   Longest Rap: 170'   # of Raps: 2-3

    Jolley has two or three rappels. The first rap of 170 feet is rather conspicuous. Select a tree and set up a retrievable anchor. One possibility is to ask a passing hiker to remove your sling and ring, or bring along a non-rapping friend to clean the anchor.

    R1: Rap 170 feet to a large ledge. Walk 40 feet.
    R2: Rap 60 feet to a ledge from either a two-bolt anchor or a natural anchor. Continue the rappel off the same anchor another 40 feet to the ground. Do a good job of keeping your rope and retrieval cord neat so the pull will be reasonable.
    (R3: the second stage of the rappel can be done as a separate rap off a natural anchor on the ledge in-between, but there is not a lot of material to work with there.)

    Downclimb a couple short drops and shimmy through a fun little narrows.

    The Exit

    Follow the wash as it widens and gets sandy. After about 3/4 of a mile, Jolley Gulch empties into the larger Clear Creek. The trail is nearby... Hike UP Clear Creek about 50 feet, and search out a drainpipe on the right, with an almost-trail leading up to the pipe and the trail. Turn right and follow the trail a half-mile back to the parking lot.

    Red Tape

    Jolley Gulch is inside Zion National Park, so a permit is required. Maximum group size is 6; daily quota is 20. (Subject to change without notice.) Permits are available at the Visitor Center near the south entrance.

    Please use a retrievable anchor on the first rappel, to avoid leaving litter in this sensitive area, right next to a popular trail.
  • Jolley Gulch is inside Zion National Park, so you will need a permit. Group size limit of 6 / daily quota of 20.

    Jolley Gulch is just inside the eastern boundary of Zion National Park, and just north of the Zion-Mount Carmel highway and the East Entrance of the Park. The East Rim Trail starts at a small parking lot that is 100 yards north of the highway, about 100 yards west of the entry kiosks. Follow a small road north past a few NPS employee-housing units to the small, shady parking lot.

    The East Rim Trail is wide and sandy, and mostly fairly flat. Hike the trail three miles (about one hour) to where a small wash crosses the trail and falls over the edge of Jolley Gulch.
  • Jolley has two or three rappels. The first rap of 170 feet is rather conspicuous. Select a tree and set up a retrievable anchor. One possibility is to ask a passing hiker to remove your sling and ring, or bring along a non-rapping friend to clean the anchor.

    R1: Rap 170 feet to a large ledge. Walk 40 feet.
    R2: Rap 60 feet to a ledge from either a two-bolt anchor or a natural anchor. Continue the rappel off the same anchor another 40 feet to the ground. Do a good job of keeping your rope and retrieval cord neat so the pull will be reasonable.
    (R3: the second stage of the rappel can be done as a separate rap off a natural anchor on the ledge in-between, but there is not a lot of material to work with there.)

    Downclimb a couple short drops and shimmy through a fun little narrows.
  • Follow the wash as it widens and gets sandy. After about 3/4 of a mile, Jolley Gulch empties into the larger Clear Creek. The trail is nearby... Hike UP Clear Creek about 50 feet, and search out a drainpipe on the right, with an almost-trail leading up to the pipe and the trail. Turn right and follow the trail a half-mile back to the parking lot.
  • Jolley Gulch is inside Zion National Park, so a permit is required. Maximum group size is 6; daily quota is 20. (Subject to change without notice.) Permits are available at the Visitor Center near the south entrance.

    Please use a retrievable anchor on the first rappel, to avoid leaving litter in this sensitive area, right next to a popular trail.

Condition Reports for Jolley Gulch

  1. Tirrus
    August 21, 2014
    Tirrus

    Difficulty:

    Moderate

    Skill Level:

    Beginner

    Water:

    Dry/avoidable

    Thermal:

    None

    Group Size:

    3 people

    Total Time:

    1 hour 3 hours


    Took our time, had a first timer with us so we had the opportunity to teach a little bit. Anchors are in good condition, and the hike up was worth the two rappels. Although there was significantly less down climbing than anticipated.

    Posted Aug 21, 2014
  2. Mountaineer
    June 14, 2014
    Mountaineer

    Difficulty:

    Moderate

    Skill Level:

    Beginner

    Water:

    Dry/avoidable

    Thermal:

    None

    Group Size:

    3 people

    Total Time:

    1 hour 2 hours


    Anchors in great shape. Use the second rappel bolts for both stages on rap 2, the pull is straightforward despite the turns and twists.

    Posted Jun 19, 2014
The information provided here is intended for entertainment purposes only. The creator of this information and/or Canyon Collective are not liable for any harm or damage caused by this information. Conditions in the backcountry are constantly changing, only you are responsible for your safety and well being.