50 Hikes for 2015: 2015 Hike #48 - Mystery Canyon, Zion National Park

August 28, 2015 Paul and I love this canyon! It has a little bit of everything and at least a dozen rappels. We obtained a permit 4 months in advance and scheduled with a shuttle company to drop us off near the trail head. After walking 2 miles there is a distinctive trail leading down into the canyon. It is just past an area that looks like the trail but doesn't have a path or trees to hold onto. In order to descend down the steep canyon you have to hold on to trees, roots, bushes etc. and there is a very distinctive trail. We almost missed it this time. We had a sunny warm day and since we had hiked it before, we were prepared for what was ahead. Another group of 4 people from UT caught up with us and eventually passed us. After the 10th rappel, I was straddling a water hole and just at the last step, I slipped and fell into the deep hole, cracking my shoulder and jamming my right knee into the side of the hole. I could not move my arm and my knee was bloody. Fortunately I could still walk just fine and my shoulder/arm was not that painful. The others made a sling for me and helped me make it down the final 2 100' + rappels and boulder hope the final 1/2 mile. The final rappel into the Virgin River was so slippery I did not even try to walk down it. I made it down safely with a lot of people watching from below. I was relieved to reach the shuttle after walking the last 1/2 mile in the river and then one mile on the path. We were able to get some ice and stopped at the urgent care place but there wasn't much they could do. My x-ray later showed the ulnar bone was cracked and the doctor said it would heal on it's own after 6 weeks. I was able to use it but just not put pressure on it. My knee, although badly scarred healed in a couple of weeks. Mystery takes approx. 5 - 8 hours but I would plan on 8. For more info on this canyon see:
http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/zion/technical/mystery-canyon/