Sand Bench Trail - Zion, UT

The Sand Bench: A Unique Zion Trek with Canyon Vistas and a Historical Twist. The Sand Bench area was once the site of a massive landslide that dammed the Virgin River, creating a temporary lake extending to Angels Landing. Zion National Park offers a diverse range of hikes, and Sand Bench Trail provides a unique perspective on the park's beauty. This moderately challenging hike takes you atop the remnants of an ancient landslide, rewarding you with panoramic views and a glimpse into Zion's geological history.


Logistics/Getting There:
Sand Bench Trail is accessible from two locations within Zion National Park. At the time of writing, the upper starting point at the Emerald Pools Trailhead at Zion Lodge (shuttle stop #5) is closed (and appears to have been for some time if the published maps are any indication). The other access point is from the Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint (shuttle stop #4).Trailhead:
The starting point depends on your chosen route. The Emerald Pools Trailhead offers restrooms and water-filling stations, while the Court of the Patriarchs Viewpoint has no amenities.

Navigation:
Sand Bench Trail is a marked loop and navigation is not difficult. There are a few side spurs for mule hitching but these are pretty clear in their purpose and shouldn't lead anyone astray. The loop portion ascends to the Sand Bench geological feature, it is easier to do the loop in the clockwise direction as most of the ascent in this direction is on stone steps. If you go counterclockwise (like we did) you have to ascend through loose sand which is much more arduous.

Weather:
Some portions of this trail are exposed but you do go under tree cover periodically. Flash flooding is not a huge concern on this trail, there is a creek that must be crossed but the trail is well above the Virgin River. Zion National Park experiences hot summers and cool winters. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) are the most comfortable times to tackle Sand Bench Trail. Summer heat can be intense on this exposed hike.

Trail Conditions:
The primary obstacle on this trail is the horses/mules. This trail sees regular equestrian tours and dodging the mules and resulting landmines and ruts is part of the package. Hikers have to yield to mules so be prepared to hop off the trail if/when the mule train comes by.
Sand Bench Trail offers a variety of terrain. The initial section is a well-maintained path, but the ascent through the landslide area is steeper. The loop itself has sections of loose sand and rocky paths. I am not normally an advocate for trekking poles, but this is the spot for them. The loose sand saps your energy quickly and using trekking poles to get your arms to assist makes a big difference on this trail.
The trail then takes a southern turn, crosses a small stream, and begins its ascent through a landslide area. This section is steeper and includes a good portion of the elevation gain. At the top, you'll reach the Sand Bench Loop. This is where the hike starts to pay off. There are good views of the Patriarchs and the lower Zion Canyon. The eastern portion of the loop is rockier with loose sand, while the western side offers views of the ancient landslide itself. There is a little spur trail on the east side that takes you to a particularly stunning viewpoint, the location is shown on the guide route. This particular view alone makes the difficult hike worthwhile.

General Comments and Musings:
The Sand Bench is a less trafficked trail in Zion National Park because of the mules and difficulty. Its rewards are not equal to other more famous trails like The Narrows or Angel's Landing. You will, however, find more solitude on this trail than probably any other in the park. When the park is crowded, and you want a physical challenge, The Sand Bench is worthy of your consideration.

2024-04-15 KingLeonidas