Zion is brutal on gear because of the wind and sand, so getting a solid platform is the priority. Since you are on a 600 buck budget, you dont need to drop two grand on high-end carbon fiber to get sharp results. I have found that skipping the center column is the best way to keep a 5D Mark IV steady because it reduces the vibration frequency when things get gusty.

• Leofoto LS-284C Ranger Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with LH-30 Ball Head is basically a spec-for-spec match for premium brands but half the cost. It has a 10kg load capacity which is plenty for your 5D kit.
• K&F Concept Nano-X Magnetic ND Filter Kit 77mm ND8 ND64 ND1000 works great for waterfalls and the magnetic rings are super efficient for fast swaps when the light is changing.
• Vello ShutterBoss II Remote Switch with Timer for Canon 3-Pin is essential for those multi-minute exposures and much better than the built-in timer. This setup basically solves the stability issues without nuking your bank account. Honestly, that tripod is gonna feel like a massive upgrade over any cheap kit legs...

Jumping in! The Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod is amazing; it provides superior stability over the Benro Slim Carbon Fiber Tripod. It is heavier, but its rigidity handles Zion wind better, dont skip it!

• your situation reminds me of a colleague who faced a similar challenge during a southwest tour a while back
• he attempted to utilize a budget friendly setup to stay within a strict limit for that excursion...
• the fine sand at zion ended up infiltrating the locking mechanisms of his gear within the first day tho and he didnt plan for that
• he basically spent a huge chunk of the trip attempting to perform field repairs instead of focusing on his shots
• it was a pretty big ordeal and it really changed how he approached his kit for later trips