Hiking Route from East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch Overlook (Zion National Park)
Explore the breathtaking wilderness of Zion National Park with ease by embarking on the East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch viewpoint. Just a stone's throw away from the park entrance, yet worlds apart from the hustle and bustle, this trek offers a serene escape into Zion's untouched wilderness.
Finding Your Way: The East Rim Trailhead
The trailhead for this adventuresome journey can be effortlessly reached, sitting snugly moments from the East Entrance. Simply head to the East Rim Trailhead within the park. Use this handy trailhead address to guide your navigation: East Rim Trailhead, Zion National Park, Orderville, UT 84758
Gear up for the Journey
Although the trail is generously wide and offers gentle grades, you'll still appreciate having light hiking attire or fitness clothes that cater to your comfort. Since the trails in this area boast sandy terrain, low gaiters will serve you well. Make sure to pack at least 1L of water and preparation for the summer warmth when the trail is mainly exposed.
Top Gear for the East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch
Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack. Light, tough, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.
Hike with confidence and confidence with these top-rated essentials:
- Osprey Hikelite 26 – A go-to daypack perfect for maintaining a dry back with its trampoline mesh.
- Norda 001 – A shoe that combines the agility of a monster truck and the cushioning of a comfy pillow, in a featherweight package.
- Garmin inReach Mini 2 – Provides 100% reliable SOS coverage when venturing into the backcountry.
- AllTrails Plus – Boosts your hiking experience with up-to-date trip reports, offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.
- Garmin Fenix 8 – After a few updates, this watch is now a rock-solid choice for maps, tracking, and routing.
Norda 001 - Like a monster truck and a comfy pillow had a featherweight baby, for your feet.
Discover why these items are Game Changers in my Gear Picks (last updated June 2025) on my Top Gear Picks page.
Mapping Your Way: East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch
Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I need 100% reliable SOS coverage, this is what I take in the backountry.
Why is Checkerboard Mesa's appearance so unique? Take a closer look, and you'll spot a checkerboard pattern. This mysterious pattern resulted from ancient sand dunes and later cracking due to winter expansion and contraction.
As you explore this section of the trail, you'll notice that it's also known as the Hayduke Trail. But what exactly is the Hayduke Trail? It's an 800-mile thru-hike from Arches NP to the Grand Canyon and concludes in Zion Canyon. Its origins trace back to a character in Edward Abbey's novel. If you haven't heard of Edward Abbey, get acquainted by reading one of his captivating books.
AllTrails Plus - 30% off! Up-to-date trip reports. AllTrails+ adds offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.
Who was the inscrutable Jolley (sometimes pronounced "jolly")? He was an early settler and the central figure of a macabre local legend. Jolley arrived in the area with his family in the early 1900s, before Zion became a National Park in 1919. During spring, a stream flowed through the gulch, but as the season progressed, the stream halted, leading the family to the brink of dehydration. According to the legend, Jolley pushed his wife and daughters off a cliff in the gulch, then returned to the cabin, wrote down his actions, and followed suit. Today, the gulch is widely believed to be haunted by Jolley.
Now that you've trekked to the Jolley Gulch viewpoint, take the return trip along the same path. Happy hiking!
Garmin Fenix 8 - Took a few updates to get right, but now it's rock solid for me. I use it for maps, tracking, and routing.
Finding Your Way: The East Rim Trailhead- The trailhead for this exciting journey can be easily reached, situated just moments from the East Entrance of Zion National Park.- Navigate to the East Rim Trailhead within the park using the following trailhead address: East Rim Trailhead, Zion National Park, Orderville, UT 84758
Gear up for the Journey- Although the trail is wide and offers gentle grades, light hiking attire or fitness clothes for maximum comfort will be appreciated.- Low gaiters will prove useful for the sandy terrain, and carrying at least 1L of water and summer heat precautions is essential.
Mapping Your Way: East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch- The East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch is also known as a portion of the famous Hayduke Trail, an 800-mile thru-hike from Arches NP to the Grand Canyon, concluding in Zion Canyon.- The mythical Jolley Gulch, a central figure in a local legend, is believed to be haunted by early settler Jolley.
Top Gear for the East Rim Trail to Jolley Gulch- Equip yourself with reliable gear for your hike, such as the Osprey Hikelite 26 daypack, Norda 001 shoes, Garmin inReach Mini 2 for SOS coverage, AllTrails Plus for updated trip reports and offline maps, and the upgraded Garmin Fenix 8 for maps, tracking, and routing.
){kind=link}