The East Rim Trail historically traversed the high country between Zion's east entrance on UT-9 and the canyon floor at Weeping Rock — over ten miles of mostly downhill walking that crossed slickrock benches, ponderosa-pine forests, and the high mesa country above the main canyon. Since the 2019 rockfall on the Weeping Rock end, the trail has been closed at its lower terminus, and only the upper sections from the East Entrance remain open. Even partial, the upper trail is one of the better backcountry experiences in the park.
What changed in 2019
A major rockfall on the East Rim above Weeping Rock collapsed sections of the lower trail and triggered the closure of Hidden Canyon, the canyon-floor approach to Observation Point, and the entire lower East Rim. The upper trail from the East Entrance side wasn't affected by the fall itself, but the through-route is no longer available. NPS hasn't announced a reopening timeline. Verify current status before planning a trip.
What you can still do
The upper sections from the East Entrance Trailhead are open and accessible. From the East Entrance ranger station, the trail climbs onto the high mesa, traverses several drainages, and eventually reaches the closed sections above Weeping Rock. Day-hikers can do out-and-back trips of various lengths — typical destinations include Cable Mountain (an 8-mile round trip with ~1,000 ft of gain) or Deertrap Mountain (similar distance and gain via a side trail).
What the high country looks like
The East Rim is a different ecosystem from the canyon floor. Ponderosa pine forest, gambel oak, manzanita, occasional aspen in the moist drainages. The elevation (around 6,500 feet at the East Entrance, climbing to 7,000+ on the mesa top) means cooler summer temperatures and earlier snow in fall. Wildlife includes mule deer, the occasional black bear, golden eagles overhead, and a quieter forest experience than the canyon floor.
Cable Mountain
Cable Mountain is the destination on the East Rim that most repeat Zion visitors aim for. It's an 8-mile round trip from the East Entrance via the East Rim Trail and a side spur, with a viewpoint overlooking the main canyon from above. The "cable" of the name is the early-20th-century lumber cableway that ran from the Cable Mountain summit down to the canyon floor — a primitive logging operation that lowered milled timber off the rim using a cable system. The remnants of the cable structure are still visible at the summit. The viewpoint offers a perspective on Angels Landing and the canyon comparable to Observation Point's, from a different angle.
Deertrap Mountain
A second East Rim destination, similar mileage and effort. The trail branches off the main East Rim Trail and leads to a separate viewpoint overlooking the canyon. Quieter than Cable Mountain, harder to navigate in places, similar payoff.
Heat and seasonality
The high mesa country is a different climate than the canyon floor. Summer afternoons are warm but not the broiler the lower trails are; spring and fall are excellent. Snow on the upper sections in winter can close the trail or make footing difficult. The drive on UT-9 to the East Entrance also can have winter closures during heavy storms.
Backcountry permits
Day hikes don't require permits. Overnight camping requires a wilderness permit through Recreation.gov, with designated campsites along the trail. Permits are limited and competitive in the high seasons.
Where it fits
The East Rim Trail is the Zion backcountry experience for visitors who've already done the canyon-floor highlights and want a different kind of day. It's also one of the few Zion routes that delivers ponderosa-pine forest walking in addition to slickrock and canyon — a real ecosystem shift from the lower park. For St. George locals tired of the canyon-floor crowds, the East Rim is one of the answers.