Cable Mountain Draw Works [Suggest Edits]

Description

Both a viewpoint and a historical site, Cable Mountain is truly a hidden treasure of Zion National Park.

The draw works, visible high on the rim above the Weeping Rock parking lot, was constructed in the early 1920s. It is the third to be built on this spot. Made from lumber cut in the sawmill at Stave Spring, about 3.3 miles from the draw works. The existing structure replaced two earlier iterations, both destroyed by fire.

First settled in 1862 by Mormon pioneers, Springdale was found to have poor quality lumber while the good timber was all located atop the mesas. Of course, how do you get timber from atop a mesa to the valley floor? You build a draw works, that's how! Now, pretend it's 1910, and put yourself in the shoes of a young surveyor who rode the cable to the bottom - yes, all 2000' to the valley floor! Crazy, right!?

If you're interested in more history regarding the Cable Mountain draw works, check out this National Park document.

Half-Day Hike: Follow the Cable Mountain Trail from the East Rim Trail.

Gem Type: Viewpoint