To find the trailhead drive 7.3 miles past the south gate at the park. You will go through Springdale and Rockville to an area that most do not even know is part of Zion Park. You will see a wash with a small green sign, Coalpits, indicating the name of the wash under the bridge. Pull off and park in the dirt area and look to the north for the hikers gate. There is a map at the trailhead, but not much more information. They do allow pack animals on this trail, but the park reserves the right to disallow it different times of the year depending on trail conditions and weather.
The first part of the trail is not very intersting as you pass by powerlines, sagebrush and the trail is far enough from the water at this point that you will not see that. Before too long you will see volcanic, or Basalt rock on the left. To the right the trail, still far from the water, will pass near some low rock formations. In front of you is Cougar Mountain and until you start to walk along the streambed that is the extent of the scenery. This is not a very scenic hike compared to the rest that Zion offers, and the hike is not very challenging because of the lack of elevation, but for a winter hike it is nice. If you do it in the summer watch for rattlesnakes. The cougar tracks made me erie and to top it off as we passed the big 90 degree bend we past an area that would make a great cougar den and it smelled strong of cat oder.
The narrow dirt trail will go along one side of the stream or the other. Going across the stream is required, but unless you fall your shoes should stay dry. There are plenty of stepping stones to use to cross the stream. The Coalpits Wash trail will be joined twice. Once by the Chinle Trail and once by the Scoggins Trail. These areas are not obvious however.
About an mile or so from the end of the trail are some historic oil ruins. These are considered historic artifacts and should not be touched. They are left over from the early 1900s before this area was made part of the park. Continue another mile to mile and a half past the oil remains where the trail will end. The only way any further is by technical climbing. At the end of the trail there are some nice falls between two unamed tributaries and a nice four foot waterfall at the very end.
Zion National Park
Complete Trail Description and Photo Album
Coalpits Hike
Zion National Park hiking guide
