Scott P
02-25-2013, 08:50 AM
Here's an album of our latest trip to North Wash:
http://www.summitpost.org/north-wash-slots-february-2013/839489
Because I didn't take these photos, I will link them, but I will post some more later.
Briefly:
February 16: Merry Piglet
Matt Lemke, Kessler, Shaylee, my dad, and I decided to explore Merry Piglet Canyon in North Wash. We got a late start because we stayed in Grand Junction and I picked up Matt there and picked up my dad in Green River.
After starting just before lunch we made our way into the canyon and descended on down. Most of the canyon was dry, but there was a very cold pool about four feet deep in the canyon. By using small ledges on the side of the pool, it was only two feet deep, but I had to wade the pool three times, including the deep part twice to carry Kessler and Shaylee across. Other than that it was a nice and routine trip through a slot canyon.
February 17: Maidenwater Canyon/Trail Canyon/Turkey Knob
In the morning we (Matt Lemke, Kessler, Shaylee, my dad, and I) decided to do the Maidenwater/Trail Canyon Loop. We had also thought of doing the Jilted Fork/Blushing Bride, but when we got there, there was running water coming out of it (which isn't ideal for February)! Maidenwater was very pretty, but there was lots of knee to waist deep wading. I carried Shaylee across all the pools, but Kessler had to resort to wading. The falls and chockstone that is usually in the canyon was gone! Flash floods had filled it in with gravel.
After a beautiful, but cold (with the water) hike to Trachyte Creek, we followed the creek down canyon to Trail Canyon which we exited. Trail Canyon isn't quite as scenic as Maidenwater, but it is mostly dry and you don't have to wade, so it was a pleasant hike out.
After exiting Trail Canyon, we explored a little up into the lower end of the South Fork of Maidenwater Canyon, but a pothole and dryfall stopped us after not too long. The dryfall is climbable with dry shoes, but our feet were covered with greasy mud, so we couldn't climb the drop.
After exploring the canyons Matt and I climbed Turkey Knob for the fine views. My dad didn't climb the final ledges. After enjoying the fine views we descended the peak and headed back to camp.
February 18: Morocco Canyon
Matt, Kessler, Shaylee, and I decided to do a loop through Morocco Canyon. My dad decided to hike the non-technical section of Hog Springs Canyon instead. The entrance route was an exciting approach along a ledge that was followed to near the head of the canyon. Once in the canyon, it was a beautiful, but fairly short slot. There were several challenging downclimbs and a few rappels. The only mishap was that Shaylee scraped her hand on a rock, but other than that, everything went well and it was a good time.
An event worth mentioning is that the night before was extremely windy. The tent would collapse in the wind at night. One of the camp chairs also blew into the fire and burned.
http://www.summitpost.org/north-wash-slots-february-2013/839489
Because I didn't take these photos, I will link them, but I will post some more later.
Briefly:
February 16: Merry Piglet
Matt Lemke, Kessler, Shaylee, my dad, and I decided to explore Merry Piglet Canyon in North Wash. We got a late start because we stayed in Grand Junction and I picked up Matt there and picked up my dad in Green River.
After starting just before lunch we made our way into the canyon and descended on down. Most of the canyon was dry, but there was a very cold pool about four feet deep in the canyon. By using small ledges on the side of the pool, it was only two feet deep, but I had to wade the pool three times, including the deep part twice to carry Kessler and Shaylee across. Other than that it was a nice and routine trip through a slot canyon.
February 17: Maidenwater Canyon/Trail Canyon/Turkey Knob
In the morning we (Matt Lemke, Kessler, Shaylee, my dad, and I) decided to do the Maidenwater/Trail Canyon Loop. We had also thought of doing the Jilted Fork/Blushing Bride, but when we got there, there was running water coming out of it (which isn't ideal for February)! Maidenwater was very pretty, but there was lots of knee to waist deep wading. I carried Shaylee across all the pools, but Kessler had to resort to wading. The falls and chockstone that is usually in the canyon was gone! Flash floods had filled it in with gravel.
After a beautiful, but cold (with the water) hike to Trachyte Creek, we followed the creek down canyon to Trail Canyon which we exited. Trail Canyon isn't quite as scenic as Maidenwater, but it is mostly dry and you don't have to wade, so it was a pleasant hike out.
After exiting Trail Canyon, we explored a little up into the lower end of the South Fork of Maidenwater Canyon, but a pothole and dryfall stopped us after not too long. The dryfall is climbable with dry shoes, but our feet were covered with greasy mud, so we couldn't climb the drop.
After exploring the canyons Matt and I climbed Turkey Knob for the fine views. My dad didn't climb the final ledges. After enjoying the fine views we descended the peak and headed back to camp.
February 18: Morocco Canyon
Matt, Kessler, Shaylee, and I decided to do a loop through Morocco Canyon. My dad decided to hike the non-technical section of Hog Springs Canyon instead. The entrance route was an exciting approach along a ledge that was followed to near the head of the canyon. Once in the canyon, it was a beautiful, but fairly short slot. There were several challenging downclimbs and a few rappels. The only mishap was that Shaylee scraped her hand on a rock, but other than that, everything went well and it was a good time.
An event worth mentioning is that the night before was extremely windy. The tent would collapse in the wind at night. One of the camp chairs also blew into the fire and burned.