The Watchman Trail
The Watchman Trail is a short trail (3-miles round trip) that starts by the Visitor Center and leads to a viewpoint on top of the first layer of cliffs roughly 300 feet above. This trail doesn’t actually take you to the top of the Watchman Mountain, but from the viewpoint you can get a good view of the peak to the south, as well as a good bird’s eye view of the whole Visitor Center complex below. During the afternoon heat of summer, this hike could be torture, so the early morning is the best time for this one, especially when this side of the main canyon is still in the shade.
For in depth information about this hike please visit Joe’s Guide to Zion National Park and specifically this hike in the main canyon under “The Watchman Trail”.