Mid June: Best Regions? Best Canyons?

[Erik B]

All,
I'm heading to Utah with a team of 4 experienced canyoneers in Mid-June. We've done much of what Zion NP has to offer and were looking to branch out.

We've also been down towards Escalante and run Neon, Ringtail, Egypt. We're getting in to pothole escape/Class IV canyons and would certainly like to practice some pothole escapes. What are water levels typically like in the pots in June?

What areas would be good to visit in Mid June and what canyons would be must sees? Do you all think that SRS or the Roost would be too hot that time of year? Thanks for the advise!

-Erik B.

[Iceaxe]

Mid June you will want water so that eliminates the Roost.

Quandary, Knotted Rope, The Squeeze and Cable from the San Rafael Swell will probably work depending on conditions.

Burro Wash and Five Mile in Capital Reef also hold water and will probably work depending on conditions. CR also has a little more elevation and is usually a little cooler.

Tap'n on my Galaxy G3

[Iceaxe]

Upper Black Box, Lower Black Box and The Black Hole should be primo mid June.

Tap'n on my Galaxy G3

[Iceaxe]

And if you are in the area hit Zero Gravity..... it's the Keyhole of southest Utah.... soon as I hit send I'm sure I'll think of some more good June slots.

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[Erik B]

Shane,

Thanks for the advice!


What do you think about:
Escalante: choprock/baker slots/headless hen? Undoubtedly a LONG, HOT hike in & out.
Swell: Eardly, knotted rope?
Anything accessible out and around Lake Powell?
Paria area?

[Scott P]

The ones Shane list are good ones. Also consider the White Canyon stuff.

The Capitol Reef canyons in that area seem pretty dry right now, so unless it rains, they might be completely dry in mid June (like they were last year when we did them in May).

The other White Canyon stuff should be reasonable. The rest listed above should have water, but it's possible some might be dry.

Eardley is good for June, but personally, I suggest doing it from the top with a shuttle if you can manage it.

Powell has plenty of stuff for June. West is prime then as is Aztec Creek, but both are semi-technical. Plenty of canyons there have pothole escapes (such as in the Lost Eden complex), but you really should know what your doing (I'm not saying that you don't, but be careful and prepared).

The Escalante stuff you listed should be OK (not sure about Headless Hen), but get very early morning starts on the approaches. Also, the deer flies and gnats may eat you alive, so don't wear shorts.

Deer Creek in the Paria should be OK, but earlier in the year is better. Expect deer flies/gnats.

If you already haven't enough in Zion, mid June is prime for many of the best canyons there.

[Iceaxe]

Helpful hint with regards to the gnats... I've spent a lot of time in the outdoors and have found the best thing to do when the gnats are bad is just leave and find anther location... now the good news..... its been my experience that just a couple hundred feet of elevation change will often eliminate the gnat problem.

For example... two years ago the gnats were bad at the Lower Black Hole TH but there were none at the upper. I've experienced the same thing in Butler Wash and the Swell where parking two miles away and at a slightly different elevation will eliminate your gnat problem... YMMV.

Tap'n on my Galaxy G3