Parunuweap/Barracks Hike In Early June

[toph]

Parunuweap *above 50cfs=difficult!

We're planning a 3 night trip into Parunuweap the first week of June and as the current CFS is hovering a little above 100 for the last few days, I hope someone can give me a more detailed understanding of the difficulty when it is => 50 and at what point would you say 'not' to do it. Thanks in advance...

-toph

[natureisgrand]

Toph,

I'm planning a similar trip towards the end of June. Did you decide on doing it? Love to hear how it went...

[Iceaxe]

When the water is high this section becomes the problem. The canyon had low flow in these pictures (maybe 20 cfs).

http://climb-utah.com/Zion/Files/parunuweap4.jpg

http://climb-utah.com/Zion/Files/parunuweap7.jpg

As you can see the canyon constricts down to a narrow slot. The section is only about 50-yards long but is a problem in high water. Hikers and backpackers are going to have issues above 50cfs. Properly equipped technical canyoneers with some class C experience should be able to do th section with no problems at higher flows.

[natureisgrand]

Anyone been down Parunuweap/Barracks yet this year? Looks like CFS is around 50 right now. Am I right that below 50 CFS should be doable for two young and fit backpackers/scramblers without any technical canyoneering experience/equipment?

Also, is having a length of rope/webbing handy or necessary no matter what?

[jman]

yea, 50 is good. Not hard at all.

On all day water hikes - I think bringing rope is almost a necessity in my opinion. Good for handlines, for crossing certain deep spots (with noobs), tying bags on it while towing, or even for rescues. There are countless reasons and you might not ever use it that day too. But....you never know when it might come in handy. I've used mine several times (50ft, 6m) and its been a great help.

[Iceaxe]

^^^ What he said.

I don't go anywhere in the outdoors without 50' of webbing in the bottom of my pack. The uses are endless.

[toph]

Toph,

I'm planning a similar trip towards the end of June. Did you decide on doing it? Love to hear how it went...

The levels were still in the ~70 cfs range so we went with another itinerary. We plan to return one day for it though so would love to hear about your experience!

[ocanler]

Not sure where you are reading 70cfs. According to USGS flow rate (at Glandale) it's showing under 30cfs. I'm doing Fat Man Misery this week-end and I would feel a lot better if it's indeed 30cfs.

[ratagonia]

Here's the East Fork in Springdale, just before the confluence, running 51 cfs:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv?site_no=09404900

I tried to look up Gland-ale, but it sent me to a porno site, and not a good one.

At Glendale, just up the road from me, it was running 24 cfs.

T

[Don]

We had a couple canyon partners back out for next week so Cody and I are thinking about the barracks Wednesday through Friday evening.

I wonder though: how skinny is Fat Mans? Would it be difficult to get down it with overnight gear?


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[trackrunner]

I wonder though: how skinny is Fat Mans? Would it be difficult to get down it with overnight gear?

I saw a TR from someone a couple weeks ago and they took camping gear down misery. so it can be done.

[ocanler]

Sorry Tom..did not mean to have land in a porno site

I mi-spelled, I did mean Glendale, up the road from Carmel Junction.
Thanks for the link to the more accurate reading in Springdale. 50 cfs sounds a little bit more challenging but not impossible according to some threads I see.