Telephone Canyon
Beta for Telephone Canyon in Zion National Park
Duration
6
- 10 hrs.
Longest Rappel
150 ft
Number of Rappels
12 -
16
Country: united states
State/Province: UT
City or Nearest City: Springdale
Approaches:
First Rappel:
Last Rappel:
Exits:
Calculate time for your adventure
Select your approach, exit, and any shuttles in order to calcualte an estimated time
1. Approaches:
2. Canyon Time:
4 hour(s), 30 minute(s).
3. Exit Time:
Total Adventure Time:
(select route options above)
Essential Canyoneering Gear
Descender - Hoodoo
Carabiners
Quicklinks
Harness
Gloves
Rope
Helmet
Personal Anchor System
Canyoneering Shoes (LA Sportiva TX3)
Webbing (Bluewater)
VT Prusik
Pull Cord
Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Telephone Canyon
Telephone Canyon Rappels
12 - 16 rappels
Rappel 1
Rappel 1 Anchor
Rappel 1 is anchored off a large pile of rocks. This cairn anchor takes about 20-25 ft of webbing.
Overview
This rappel is the biggest one of the day and drops you a fun 150 ft.
Tips
There could be some water in a shallow pool at the bottom, so consider throwing your rope a little more RDC.
Top View Photos
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 2
Length: 15 ft
Type of Rappel: Optional
Rappel 2 Anchor
This is a single bolted hanger with a short piece of webbing.
Overview
This immediately follows Rappel 1.
Tips
This is an optional rappel. If down-climbing or using a hand line to get down be cautious of the slick walls. They are VERY slick.
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 3
Length: 35 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 3 Anchor
Anchored from two bolted hangers.
Overview
You can stay on rappel for the full 35 ft. until you get to the choke stone where Rappel 4 is, or you can get off rappel after the first 25ish ft. and downclimb to the choke stone. The second half of the rappel/downclimb is at an awkward angle.
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 4
Length: 61 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 4 Anchor
This rappel is anchored off of a choke stone.
Overview
This is an awkward rappel down and angled slot and is very slick towards the bottom.
Top View Photos
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 5
Length: 100 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
More anchor information coming soon.
Overview
This rappel is down a vertical wall for about 65 ft. and then down an angled slope for another 35 ft.
Tips
If the entry feels somewhat awkward, you can try crawling over the edge instead.
Top View Photos
Rappel 6
Length: 30 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 6 Anchor
This rappel is anchored off of a large log.
Overview
Tips
There is a pothole at the bottom of this rappel that looks difficult to get out of but is in fact very easy to escape once you reach it.
Top View Photos
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 7
Length: 40 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 7 Anchor
This rappel is anchored from a log in the waterway.
Overview
Rappel down a short slot with a couple of small twists until you reach a small choke stone RDC that serves as the anchor for Rappel 8. This rappel can be and easily combined with Rappel 8. After Rappel 7 (if combining with Rappel 8), walk about 30 ft. and then downclimb about 8 ft. to the next rappel station.
Tips
Combine with Rappel 8 to save time.
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 8
Length: 12 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 8 Anchor
A small choke stone RDC. Webbing is tucked in the right side of the stone.
Overview
This rappel can be and easily combined with Rappel 7. After Rappel 8 (or Rappel 7 if combining the two), walk about 30 ft. and then downclimb about 8 ft. to the next rappel station.
Tips
Combine with Rappel 7 to save time.
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 9
Length: 50 ft
Type of Rappel: Two-Stage
Rappel 9 Anchor
Rappel 9 is anchored from a large choke stone in the waterway. You may have to reach underneath the choke stone to reach the part of the webbing with the rappel ring.
Overview
Rappel 9 drops 30 ft. over the first stage and then about another 20 over the second stage. You will rappel beneath a large overhanging part of the rock during the first 30 feet. You will notice rope grooves in the rock LDC when you drop the final 20 ft.
Tips
The webbing is extended at least a solid foot from the choke stone, so you will not be weighted in your harness until the webbing is fully extended. Use the webbing as a hand-line until you can extend it fully and get weighted in your harness.
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 10
Length: 25 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 10 Anchor
This rappel is anchored from a medium-sized boulder.
Overview
Tips
There is a downclimb down a slippery angled slope that drops about 10-12 ft. at the bottom of Rappel 10. A crack runs down the middle of the angled slope that you can use to wedge your feet, arms, and hands into. There is an anchor that can be used around a pile of small boulders at the top of the downclimb if preferred.
Top View Photos
Bottom View Photos
Rappel 11
Length: 24 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 11 Anchor
The rappel is anchored from a bolder.
Overview
Tips
There might be some water at the bottom of this rappel depending on what time of year you go.
Top View Photos
Rappel 12
Rappel 12 Anchor
Anchored from two bolted hangers RDC.
Overview
Tips
There is a small perch below the anchor that fits 2 people at most, so if you have more people in your group, have them wait above you until they are ready to get on rappel.
Top View Photos
Telephone Canyon Photos
Telephone Canyon Trip Reports
November 19, 2020
There are a handful of both natural and bolted anchors in this canyon. A number of the rappels can be skipped by downclimbing or connecting rappels together. All bolted anchors and webbing seemed to be in good shape. Fun canyon with lots of rappels!
October 9, 2021
The approach was straightforward and the first rappel was easy to find. I do not think that this canyon gets run very often so come prepared to do some anchor building. There were quite a few rough-looking anchors in this canyon. We replaced two anchors that were in bad condition. Our group of 4 went the day after quite a bit of rain, so there was a decent amount of water in the canyon (still no swimmers). All water can be avoided with some work. There are about 3 rappels that have an awkward or swingy start. The exit does not have a very well-established trail, so we stuck to the right (RDC )up above the wash once the canyon opens up completely. We stayed on the slanted rock until we reached the West Rim Trail again.