Day 251: June 3, 2005 - Cable Mountain

by Christian Williams
We started our backpacking trip by hiking the East Rim trail. We set up camp, and took a day hike out to Cable Mountain Viewpoint. It is 2,000 feet up from the Main Canyon floor. This view is of Observation Point, which is across a small valley from the East Rim. Off to the left you can see a small bit of the Virgin River.

by Christian Williams
Here are the ruins of the Cable Mountain Draw Works at the viewpoint. The inscription on the sign reads:

Cable Mountain Draw Works

In 1901, David Flanigan built a cable (or "draw") works here to quickly move lumber from the East Rim to the floor of Zion Canyon. The cable could lower lumber in two minues, saving many days of travel by wagon over rough roads. From 1904 to 1907, Flanigan ran a steam-powered sawmill at nearby Stave Springs, sending his milled lumber and shingles down the 2,000 foot cable.

The draw works burned in 1911, after being struck by lightning. A second fire destroyed the rebuilt frame in the early 1920s. After reconstruction, the draw works lowered the lumber used for the original Zion Lodge and cabins. Dwindling timber supplies eventually closed the East Rim sawmills and eliminated the need for the draw works. It was no longer operated after 1930.

Day 207: April 20, 2005 - Beautiful Day on the East Rim Trail

by Karen Williams
On this beautiful spring afternoon I hiked along the popular East Rim Trail. I was struck by just how many hikers had gone before me, as can be seen by all the footprints along the sandy trail. Despite the appearance of popularity, however, I met no one on the trail. Instead I was able to enjoy a solitary afternoon in this beautiful area of Zion National Park. I spent a lot more time enjoying the hike than taking pictures, but this particular photo showcases some of the rugged beauty found on the East Rim Trail.

Day 1: September 26, 2004 - Checkerboard Mesa Fiery Sunset

by Christian Williams

The iconic Checkerboard Mesa of Zion bathed in violet light from a smoke filled sunset.

The first of 365 days in Zion National Park. As luck would have it, the Park Service was doing a "controlled burn" on the East Rim, flooding the sky with smoke. As the day ended, the smoke scattered the rays of light, revealing a beautiful deep purple sunset.

by Christian Williams

It was a unique expierence like we have never seen before or since in Zion. We couldn't decide which Checker Board Mesa picture was better, the landscape or portrait.

by Karen Williams

Smoke Billows Skyward From the East Rim

The controlled burn seemed a bit uncontrolled, to our uneducated eyes, as we watched the smoke pour out from the East Rim. Perhaps the burn really was out of control as additional volunteer firefighters were called in later that evening.