Cable Mountain is named for the historic draw works that can be found on its summit. In 1901, David Flanigan built a cable works here to quickly move lumber from the East Rim to the floor of Zion Canyon. The cable could lower lumber in two minutes, saving many days of travel by wagon over rough roads. From 1904 to 1907, Flanigan ran a steam-powered sawmill at nearby Stave Springs, sending his milled lumber and shingles down the 2,000 foot cable. The draw works burned in 1911, after being struck by lightning. A second fire destroyed the rebuilt frame in the early 1920's. After reconstruction, the draw works lowered lumber used for the original Zion Lodge and cabins. Dwindling timber supplies eventually closed the East Rim sawmills and eliminated the need for the draw works. It was no longer operated after 1930.

Trail Descriptions, Maps, and Additional Photos

[Joe's Guide to Zion National Park]
[ZionNational-Park.com]