Pocket Mesa

Pocket Mesa is a White Cliffs formation on Zion's Kolob Terrace, less than a mile from the Wildcat Trailhead but bypassed by most hikers headed for the Subway or Northgate Peaks. Reaching the summit means leaving the trail, pushing through manzanita and gambel oak, and finishing with a short Class 2/3 scramble. From the top there are teaser views of the Guardian Angels and Northgate Peaks in the distance.

What to know

• Starts from the Wildcat Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road, about half a mile in before leaving the maintained trail
• Off-trail travel through thick brush with a scramble finish — not suited to casual hikers or anyone without route-finding experience
• No signage or distance markers past the point where the official trail is left behind