deathtointernet
08-19-2010, 02:24 PM
Okay, so I didn't have the greatest time with Mystery Canyon a week ago (separate thread). To try and put it past me I figured it was best to get back out there as soon as possible. I noticed that Echo was finally open. We hustled up the East Rim Trail and dropped into the canyon following a side drainage as described in Tom's book... I understand that there's actually more canyon above this, and I'm kind of curious as to whether or not I missed something good or not.
36509
Anyway, it wasn't long before the first short rappel into a decent sized pool, which turned out to be the only swim... but I was thankful for the wetsuit I brought, because that water was COLD! However it was also pretty clear of debris and smelled just fine, which I imagine has to do with the recent rains flushing the canyon. I certainly didn't mind it. Several more rappels followed, some into dry potholes, others into waist-deep pools. Even just wading I was thankful for the suit, but then again I get cold easy. The final rappel shown here reminds me a lot of the final pool in the last dark narrow slot of Misery Canyon, minus the two arches.
36510
36511
36512
The thing I noticed about Echo was how deep it seemed compared to some of the other narrow slot canyons. Everything was also covered in a heavy coating of wet sand, which made downclimbing a little more interesting.
36513
I wasn't sure what the Echo Chamber would look like, but it became pretty obvious since the group was talking at the time... and it does certainly echo. It was also here that we encountered the only pools that were turning rancid, but only two or so of them, and they were only shallow wades. The pools further down the canyon were once again good, and full of tadpoles and covered in water striders.
36515
After the last deep pool the canyon opens up and the trail runs right past it, but the last section of slot is one of the best parts of the whole canyon. The light was hitting it just right and result was great.
36514
As we worked through the last section the trail was directly overhead, and we heard someone hiking above us. We shouted a greeting but nobody looked... I suppose with my recent luck I should be happy they didn't throw a rock at me or anything. Soon enough the canyon ended. I was happy to have no crazy stories from this one... just a really beautiful canyon. Nothing technically challenging, but it doesn't always have to be.
36509
Anyway, it wasn't long before the first short rappel into a decent sized pool, which turned out to be the only swim... but I was thankful for the wetsuit I brought, because that water was COLD! However it was also pretty clear of debris and smelled just fine, which I imagine has to do with the recent rains flushing the canyon. I certainly didn't mind it. Several more rappels followed, some into dry potholes, others into waist-deep pools. Even just wading I was thankful for the suit, but then again I get cold easy. The final rappel shown here reminds me a lot of the final pool in the last dark narrow slot of Misery Canyon, minus the two arches.
36510
36511
36512
The thing I noticed about Echo was how deep it seemed compared to some of the other narrow slot canyons. Everything was also covered in a heavy coating of wet sand, which made downclimbing a little more interesting.
36513
I wasn't sure what the Echo Chamber would look like, but it became pretty obvious since the group was talking at the time... and it does certainly echo. It was also here that we encountered the only pools that were turning rancid, but only two or so of them, and they were only shallow wades. The pools further down the canyon were once again good, and full of tadpoles and covered in water striders.
36515
After the last deep pool the canyon opens up and the trail runs right past it, but the last section of slot is one of the best parts of the whole canyon. The light was hitting it just right and result was great.
36514
As we worked through the last section the trail was directly overhead, and we heard someone hiking above us. We shouted a greeting but nobody looked... I suppose with my recent luck I should be happy they didn't throw a rock at me or anything. Soon enough the canyon ended. I was happy to have no crazy stories from this one... just a really beautiful canyon. Nothing technically challenging, but it doesn't always have to be.