Cable Mountain towers over the Zion Main Canyon and offers endless views of the park. The mountain is named Cable Mountain because in 1901 David Flanigan began building, then operating a 2000' cable system to lower timber from the East Rim down to the Zion Main Canyon. Incredibly, getting lumber from the East Rim to the Main Canyon took ten days round trip before the cable system, and just a few minutes after the cable system was installed. A lightning strike destroyed the cable system in 1911, but it was re-built and used up until 1926. The cables have long since been removed, and all that now remains is the wooden foundation at the top of Cable Mountain.

Visiting Cable Mountain for the views alone would be a very highly recommended outing, but throw in a bit of fascinating history and this is one of my favorite hikes in the park. Note, you can visit Cable Mountain from the main canyon by starting at the Weeping Rock shuttle stop and following the Echo Canyon trail up to Stave Spring. Starting in the main canyon more than doubles the hiking distance to about 16 miles total and adds about 2000' of gain. Starting from Stave Spring (this description) offers the easiest approach and makes Cable Mountain a very moderate outing.