Coal Pit Wash Campsite - Named for the dark volcanic rock that covers the western mountains, the Colpitts Wash is the main drainage system for the southern desert region of Zion National Park. When driving from La Verquin to Springdale on Route 9, you can go over the drain and forget about it. From the road, Colpitts Wash may look like a barren and uninteresting drain, but if you're looking for a full day's hike or an easy backpacking adventure, you can hike Colpitts Wash for about nine miles of spectacular and secluded scenery . Himself with the great Zion structure.
Route 9 runs through Colpits Washington State approximately 2.7 miles west of Rockville or 6.7 miles east of Virgin. On the east side of the wash is a short dirt road with jumpers that leads to the parking lot. Once parked, follow the NPS boundary fence to a wide wooden gate that marks the start of the Colpitts Wash trail. (Please note that the parking lot is in a floodplain, do not park here if you are concerned about flash flooding or high water.)
Coal Pit Wash Campsite
From the start of the Colpitts Wash track, head to the riverbed. For the first 1.75 miles, you'll hike through an open-air wash. Colpitts Wash usually has little running water year-round, and cottonwoods, reeds and other vegetation dominate the scenery as you walk along the sandbar. Be aware that you may get your feet wet on this hike, so if you have breathable shoes, save yourself the effort of avoiding water and getting wet. Or, if you want to speed up the time, there is a trail on the east shelf above the stream. (The trail takes you away from the stream, and NPS sometimes writes "This is not a trail - don't break the crust" on the trail, but I think it's beneficial to have everyone on the same trail in this section. less harm than someone accidentally walking along the bank.)
Southwest Desert Wilderness Hiking Trails
Soon you will reach the intersection of Colpitts Wash on your left (west) and Scoggins Wash on your right (east). From this section the trek can be a bit slow due to the narrow wash and rock littered riverbed. While there aren't any major obstacles to access from the top, you can spend a lot of time finding easy ways around the various boulders and pools. After about 3.5 miles of hiking, the wash narrowed and both walls turned to solid rock as we climbed to the next level. On the west side of the canyon is a small rocky undercut called Colpit Springs, where lush vegetation takes advantage of the trickle of water. This is a good water source in most seasons, but as it can dry out in spring, check the backcountry desk for updates.
A few minutes above Colpitts Spring is the confluence of the Chinley Trail, where the water is open. For the next two miles, the hike is easy as you can follow the banks or streams up the canyon. Most people who think that parts of the Zion Desert are barren and lifeless will be surprised at how lush and picturesque it is. After hiking about 5.6 miles, look for a strange landmark on the east bank of the stream: the ruins of an old borehole/oil well, a strange collection of metal and wood fragments left over from a failed drilling attempt. This random landmark is a great hiking destination and layover point for most day hikers.
Beyond the ruins of the oil well, the water narrows and you will pass through the Tower of Our Lady. Because the surrounding mountains and vegetation narrow your field of view, you can't see how close you are to the higher mountains overhead. After about 7.6 miles of hiking, the water narrowed again, creating a short canyon-like area as we prepared to climb another large layer of rock. Here you'll see three small waterfalls that can be climbed up on the right (east) side of the canyon. (Watch out for possible quicksand at the bottom of the second cascade.) Above these falls, the water opens up again and you can explore further until you're full or time runs out.
For those looking for an easy backpacking experience, hiking the Chinleigh Track and exploring Crater Mountain, Scoggins Wash and Colpits Wash makes for an enjoyable multi-day trip. In 2008, the National Park Service established several official campgrounds on the Chinle Trail. (Until then, open-air camping was permitted anywhere in the wilderness area.) A backcountry permit is required for any multi-day hike; see the official Zion Backpacking page for more information. See the Chinley Trail descriptions for details on individual campgrounds.
The Balanced Rock
This hike isn't for everyone, but Colpitts Wash is a lot more beautiful and interesting than you might first imagine. Washing is a great long hike, and you're not likely to meet many, if any, other people in this part of the park. As with all trekking in the desert, summer can be unbearably hot, so save for cooler weather or cloudy/rainy days.
Please Note: This site and all images on this site are the property of Brown Photography © 2023. Unauthorized public or commercial use of any images or text on this website is strictly prohibited without express permission. The Long Ditch at the low-elevation southwest corner of the park consists of a long, shallow stream; initially following a well-used trail, but branching off in the upper section, where the stream forms pools, waterfalls, and narrow channels.
Length: 3.6 miles to Chinley Trail Junction, 8 miles at the top of the narrow Elevation Change: 300 feet, 1000 feet Difficulty: Moderate Type: One-way, or part of Chinley Trail loop Use: Low Season: Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer Warm Trail Start: Along Hwy 9, 2 miles west of Rockville Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
In the low-elevation southwest corner of Zion National Park, the Colpitts Wash is a relatively small drainage system that usually receives water year-round, at least in parts; It then gradually encounters a more open, desert-like environment as it moves to the confluence of the Virgin River 2 miles west of Rockville. The lower end is crossed by Highway 9 and served by the NPS Trailhead, from where a well-used trail continues for 1.7 miles over the sagebrush plains to a tributary of the Scoggins Wash, then across a boulder-lined Narrow road. After 3.6 miles, an intersection at the end of the Chinley Trail.
Angel's Landing Hike In Zion
Back here, the trail along Colpitts Wash fades away, but is still easy enough to continue, 8 miles from the start to the head of the drain. There are some pools, waterfalls and shallow canyons on the upper side, but the canyon never fully closes. This area of the park is very popular with backpackers between autumn and spring - while the scenery isn't as spectacular as further east, the area is quiet, less visited and doesn't get a lot of snow in winter. Summer weather is often too hot for long hikes.
The trailhead is at the exit of the highway, just east of the flush bridge. The Virgin River flows south, hidden behind trees and bushes. One sign warns against camping at the trailhead, while another provides information on short hikes. At this point, the wash is surrounded by dark gray rocks of the lower Moenkopi Formation, partially covered with black basalt from ancient lava flows.
The trail follows the east side of the canyon, not too close to the creek bed (mostly dry at this point), first through tall cottonwood forests, then over sagebrush flats and through some small, steep ravines . A sign marks the edge of Zion's wilderness, passing under some power lines. The valley is now about a mile wide. The trail briefly approaches the stream bed - it's usually a bit watery now, it's possible to climb to the top of a low bench and walk along it for a while before returning to the stream and continuing to meet Scoggins Wash. The dry canyon is now very narrow, and the two river channels ahead are covered with large colorful rocks.
Take the 2.4 miles along Scoggins Wash to its junction with Chinle
Blm Dispersed Area Near Zion Np Virgin Utah Ut
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