The Eagle Crags are spires of rock at the northern end of the Vermillion Cliffs, just outside Zion National Park.   Access to the trailhead is in Rockville.   Take Bridge Road to cross the Virgin River and go straight up the hill at the intersection (not right to Grafton).   The road is gravel and some sections will not be suitable to low-clearance vehicles.

 

There is a parking area and trailhead sign at the end of the road.  The hike winds up through the desert hills, climbing to the shoulder of the Eagle Crags.

 

The colorful mountains of Zion rise to the north.   Mount Kinesava and the West Temple dominate the skyline.

 

The trail climbs 900 feet in about 2.5 miles to a close up view of the crags.   One spire (called Mrs. Butterworth) is  a destination for climbers.

 

From the upper viewpoint we get a view past Short creek Reservoir into the valley of the East Fork of the Virgin River which is closed to the public.    The river runs through Parunuweap Canyon from the east end of Zion National Park to Springdale.    We have hiked and canyoneered down to the river and back up through Fat Mans Misery Canyon 13 km upriver.

 

Eagle Crags has a series of spires at the top of the mountain.

 

From a higher viewpoint we could see over to the red and white sandstone cliffs of West Temple and the Towers of the Virgin in Zion.

 

We could also see the south side of The mountains to the north are Johnstone Mountain and The Watchman overlooking the entrance to Zion.

 

With more time, we could scramble up to get more views of other spires to the west.    There is a group of crags about 0.4 km farther west yet, but there is no trail to that area and the traverse would be difficult.

 

Instead we returned down the trail, winding down the ridges to the desert hills below.

 

Sandstone outcrops and boulders dot the landscape to the sandy hills below.

 

The return hike is about 5 miles (8 km) with lots of scenic opportunities, worth a drive to Rockville.