Deertrap Mountain Trail

The Deertrap Mountain Trail via the Stave Spring Trailhead is a highly underrated destination in Zion National Park. The final section of road to access the trailhead can require a vehicle with high clearance and four-wheel drive, especially after stormy weather. If you do not have such a vehicle, you can always park along the road just before it gets rough and hike the final stretch to the Stave Spring Trailhead proper. The low-traffic nature of this trail makes it a good place to see desert wildlife such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, Lewis woodpeckers and more. If you do see these wild critters, remember to give them lots of space; and never ever feed the animals.

From the Stave Spring Trailhead, follow the path westward for 0.5mi to where it intersects with the East Rim Trail. Take a left here and follow the trail until it divides again. Take a right here onto the Cable Mountain Trail. Follow this trail southwest for about a mile until it divides once again. Take the left path: you are now on the Deertrap Mountain trail. At the next divide, stick left. If you accidentally take the right hand path here, no worries, it will meet up with the main trail again about a mile later. The Deertrap Mountain Overlook is about 2.8mi ahead.

At the top, look across to your west and admire Angels Landing, the stunning white cliffs of the main canyon, and the Virgin River over 2000ft below. Hopefully, you have your camera handy, the scenery from this vantage point is second to none. When you are ready to leave, simply turn back and follow the same trail back to the Stave Spring Trailhead.