The Cable Mountain hike is approximately 8 miles round trip from Baily’s cabin. For the average hiker, this trail is moderate in terms of difficulty. Like all hikes in the area bring plenty of water. Snacks are recommended as well. Plan on 4 hours so that you can spend some time enjoying the amazing views. When you start your hike from Baily’s cabin you will take a left (south) from the driveway. You will start the walk up the dirt road that will quickly turn into downhill. You will reach a “T” in the dirt road where you will take a right that will bring you to the trail head and enter into Zion National Park. From there you can follow the trail signs to Cable Mountain. The signs are pretty straight-forward but here’s a brief overview.

Trail description:

The first trail junction you come to will give you a choice to go down Echo canyon to Zion Canyon. Stay straight to go to Cable Mountain. Your second junction, a short distance from the first, will give you a choice for Stave Springs / East Rim or Cable Mountain / Deer Trap. Take the trail to Cable Mountain. About the half way point you will reach the 3rd and final junction that will give you the choice for Deer Trap or Cable Mountain. Cable Mountain will be to the right.

When you reach Cable Mountain plan on spending some time checking out the views and exploring the immediate area. Check out Angels Landing below or Observation Point across to your left. The short trail to the left of Cable Mountain offers some additional stunning views.

Some history on Cable Mt:                                                                

In 1899, Zion pioneer David Flannigan began constructing his teenage dream, a cable to transport timber from the plateau above Zion Canyon to the valley below. The timber tram began working in 1901, providing most of the lumber used to build accommodations in Zion National Park and the ranches further down the canyon. When the Park Service removed the 3,300-foot cable in 1930, they left the cableworks structure in place atop the mountain, and it remains there today for our entertainment.  Cable Mt has incredible views of Zion canyon and Big Bend.