West Canyon Narrows

[Slot Machine]

On April 12, 2016, Mark Burnham, Tony Long, Sam Goodhue, Jim Clery, Tom Collins, Steph and I took a lap through the extremely scenic West Canyon Narrows.

I was exhausted from our approach hike to West Canyon the day previous, so I slept in for a few hours. The rest of the group hiked the narrows in the morning, then I set out to meet them just after lunch. Soon I ran into the group during their return hike, and predictably they were all having a great time.

I enthusiastically asked, “Who wants to do another lap down the narrows?” Everyone looked eager to get back to camp, except for Tom, who joined me despite his tired legs. We had an excellent hike and I appreciated his company.

Overall, this was a great section of canyon. The water was cold and there was plenty of swimming down narrow corridors. Jumping from the high falls was a riot! The alcoves are awe-inspiring, overhung by 200-300 feet. It was a memorable day and a fine introduction to the West Canyon drainage.

-Bob

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http://amazingslots.blogspot.com/2016/05/west-canyon-narrows.html

[dakotabelliston]

Never heard of this place. Looks awesome & fun. Where did you find your beta at ?

[TommyBoy]

A few more shots from the same day
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EUdn-9O4dPg/VxUd2Q4aSKI/AAAAAAAAEgw/VZ6rhlvCmF4c_o_bXBnp34jGGzqpP1KEgCCo/s640-Ic42/P1030409.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZF4uOqLFIMA/VxUd7p_e0RI/AAAAAAAAEhg/CkyXJE7aiuskBtx9SgHL-LMkZr4XLwTUgCCo/s640-Ic42/P1030413.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3drCAEOkjNk/VxUeCVL7ZyI/AAAAAAAAEhg/f97gI681YqIygxdcFUIzCBJtfr7E_BQZwCCo/s512-Ic42/P1030419.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BFh4w4nprAo/VxUeHAL6NRI/AAAAAAAAEhg/xyILUwpQedg-2-wqfTNHfM4ildyCgWPaQCCo/s512-Ic42/P1030422.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QTtxVyyRfD0/VxUeMGzF5VI/AAAAAAAAEhg/V3SiDfDYiqUbccpslwY_KuoDM7pacW1rACCo/s512-Ic42/P1030427.JPG

As you can tell from the pics we spent a lot of time jumping and playing at the water hole that day.

[jman]

Never heard of this place. Looks awesome & fun. Where did you find your beta at ?

It's in Lake Powell
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And here are some helpful links:

http://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/powell/westcanyon

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave/west-canyon-mar-2005/

http://backcountrypost.com/threads/west-canyon.3729/ (Great pictures by Nick)

[Slot Machine]

Never heard of this place. Looks awesome & fun. Where did you find your beta at ?

It was a very fun day. We used the links above plus Mike Kelsey's technical canyoneering book.

[hesse15]

looks lot of fun!

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[Bootboy]

Bottom up or top down?

[Slot Machine]

Bottom up or top down?

Top down.

[qedcook]

I've wanted to do this one for a long time. It looks cool.

[Slot Machine]

A few more photos, courtesy of Mark Burnham.

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[kaniukr]

Never heard of this place. Looks awesome & fun. Where did you find your beta at ?

Hey, dakotabelliston , how are you doing? Just stumbled on your reply here. Kelsey's 2 books the Colorado Plateau (the hike up from lake to finish of the upper slot) and Technical Slot Canyons (includes the Upper Slot) have descriptions and some photos, as well as the links mentioned above. What stuck wiht me though is that Kelsey rates it as THE best canyon of the hundreds he's done, and others all rate it up there too. So it's been top of my list a long time if you'd ever like to do it. I have a very experienced canyoneer friend who has a boat who has offered to take me, so we haven't started the planning but in my head I'm thinking possibly May 2018. You'll have to get those books (or maybe not, as they'll leave you wanting to do many more!). I'll buy them for you if you want to go, ha, ha!! But seriously if you want, I can photograph and email the pages over?

[dakotabelliston]

kaniukr you'll have to let me know when you get closer to the time you plan to go

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[twotimer]

Hey Ross!...all jacked up for West Canyon, eh? There's two ways to get there...boat in and hike up or car camp near Navajo Mountain had backpack over.

I would prefer the backpack...I've done it many times and it's magnificent. We could make it to the upper end of West in one long day. Remember how light my pack was when we hiked it Idaho? You'll have to work on getting your pack weight down, as well need wetsuits even if it's hotter than hell...that slot doesn't get much sun. I'll get you through it, so don't worry. It's actually an easy one.

I have no objection to boating in, but if there's more than just you and I then we'll have to chip in an rent a boat. My Zodiac won't move at a reasonable speed with any more than two with gear. Just some food for thought in case you put together a group.

[Slot Machine]

I'll get you through it, so don't worry. It's actually an easy one.

@kaniukr (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?u=20992) , WHOA! ^THAT^ is a generous offer. Don't pass it up!

[Utah Canyoneer]

"I have no objection to boating in, but if there's more than just you and I then we'll have to chip in an rent a boat. My Zodiac won't move at a reasonable speed with any more than two"

My father in Law and I have talked about doing a multi day west canyon adventure and his boat seats 14 plus a decent amount of cargo. Good speed and great gas mileage/range. If you were interested in adding a couple guys to your group to skip the multi day rental fee let me know! We are Both experienced canyoneers.

[twotimer]

Right on! Looks like were putting together a party! Let's dial it in when the time gets a bit closer. Taking a boat would be a bit quicker than backpacking in, and easier on the body...as we wouldn't have to go into Aztec Creek, up Cummings Mesa and down to West on old, rough sheep trails with heavy packs. We wouldn't have to bother with a permit from the Navajo, although getting one is not such a big deal...something that would certainly have to be done if parked at Navajo Mountain.

Good physical fitness is really the only requisite, as it's a long canyon with obstacles to get around. We'd be away from the boat for two days, maybe three. Running up to Cummings Mesa is recommended.

[kaniukr]

Thanks Utah Canyoneer. I must admit this has all snowballed a bit suddenly and fast as I just started responding to someone here, who I know, who asked about West, and I was interested in the thread as hiking West has been rattling somewhere in my head for a long time, and in the back of my mind I was thinking maybe 2018 after a casual mention some time back to Twotimer. But there were no concrete plans started. I don't live in the US and already have vacation plans for 2017, but I am really aiming to get to the South-West in 2018 which gives planning time. It would really be down to twotimer as he's the experienced guy and I'm not, but your offer sounds a good one and I'll keep it in mind.

[qedcook]

Sign me up if there's still room. I've been wanting to do that one for a while.

[kaniukr]

Hi Anthony, I just PM'ed you. I've only been on the lake in a boat a couple of times and it was quite a small rental. I know houseboats can't get further up the narrower Lake Powell canyons, how does the 14-seater get on? I guess it's still much smaller than a houseboat. (although for West Canyon the boat size probably doesn't matter). By the way, I know at "averagey" sort of lake levels you soon hit a neat slot near the bottom of West Canyon - with all the snow this winter does anyone know if that can get drowned over as it looks really nice in photos.

[Scott P]

By the way, I know at "averagey" sort of lake levels you soon hit a neat slot near the bottom of West Canyon - with all the snow this winter does anyone know if that can get drowned over as it looks really nice in photos.

The slot is above the high water mark.

[badwobot]

Bumping this because I want to go here this year if anybody thinks this sounds like a good idea, id love to join your team or make a team. Anybody?

[Mark Schnupp]

Anybody?

I'm interested. While I love to backpack, boating in sound much better to me. Who has a boat and wants to do some seriously cool canyons?

[twotimer]

I'll be there the last weekend of April, boating in with 6 other folks.

Sorry boys, but the boat is going to be packed. Y'all can certainly join us that weekend, either by renting a boat or hiking in. We'll start up the canyon on the 29th and stay in there for 3-4 nights. We're going to go thru the main slot, and then perhaps do a day hike up Cummings Mesa.

Hiking in requires a full day backpack starting from Jayi Canyon...no trail, so it's all route finding but quite straightforward. Kelsey's slot book will detail how to get into the canyon once you get there...we'll be camping very close to that exit/entry.

[Mark Schnupp]

I'll be there the last weekend of April, boating in with 6 other folks.

Sorry boys, but the boat is going to be packed. Y'all can certainly join us that weekend, either by renting a boat or hiking in. We'll start up the canyon on the 29th and stay in there for 3-4 nights. We're going to go thru the main slot, and then perhaps do a day hike up Cummings Mesa.

Thanks for the info, Twotimer. Wish I could join you at the end of April, unfortunately work precludes my participation at that time.

Babwobot - I'm still interested in putting a trip together. I can backpack in, but much prefer a boat assist. I am unavailable from 4/16 thru 6/2, but can make anything after that work. I know that is getting late in the season, so if you want to start planning something for this fall, hit me at coloradoclimber97@gmail to discuss. Or anybody else that may be interested for that matter.

PS-I would be down for the Slot Machine Heli assist as well. Hey Slot, what did that cost?

Mark

[twotimer]

So I've been trying to get ahold of the permit office for the Navajo Nation and no one answers the phone, not even a voice mail option. They used to have a permit office in Kaibeto and one in Kayenta back in the day, but they're closed now and everything government related in now in Window Rock.

So I called the main Navajo Tourist info number and also Fish and Game and they both directed me to the "no answer phone". Total mass confusion. Several people I talked to knew nothing of it.

Here I am tryin' to give these people money to camp on their land and they have no system for collecting it, huh? I'm going to try one more thing...the Chaper House in Kaibeto. Hopefully someone there is clued in.

Years ago, getting a permit was easy. I know that some of you guys around here know exactly what I'm talking about...any insight would be appreciated.

[mcweyen]

Did you try (520) 871-6645? It may be (928) 871-6645 or (928) 871-6647 now. Also, the Lechee Chapter House might be able to help you out. (928) 698-2805 (https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&source=hp&ei=gJ3LWqi_Kqfb0gL2rrbgBw&q=lechee+chapter+house+page+az&oq=Leche-e+Chapter+House&gs_l=psy-ab.3.1.0i10k1l2.822.822.0.4046.2.1.0.0.0.0.114.114 .0j1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..1.1.112.0...0.CCSbWegNbmw#)

[twotimer]

Thanks for your input, Mr. Mcweyen. I just tried all those #s and the only one answered, she directed me to call the Lake Powell Tribal Park at 928-698-2808. It's a busy signal...I'll keep trying.

[twotimer]

Got it...here it is, boys and girls...928-698-2808. That is THE phone number to get hiking permits in the Navajo Nation. They don't have an online site to prepay, you MUST call this number OR whip into the office, which is located in LeChee (3 miles south of Page) off of Copper Mine Rd. It's 8-4pm weekdays and 7-3 on weekends. You can buy the permit on the spot, even if you're hiking that day.

They'll mail it to you if you call and pay in advance...nothing online.

If you're going to park anywhere in their Nation to hike or backpack, you'd better have that permit. Certainly away from the lake and back in their communities. They live all over the place...not many dead end dirt roads.

[mcweyen]

Glad it worked out! That's where I had to go to get a permit for Lower Water Holes. Be prepared for there to be nobody at the office. That's a common occurrence from what I was told when I was there.

[twotimer]

Well I hope that's not the friggin' case. I'll be picking up the permit the day before we rip out on the boat. I wasted more than a dozen phone calls and two weeks worth of time farting around with this.

Well, that's alright. I'm all learned up now.

[kaniukr]

Well I hope that's not the friggin' case. I'll be picking up the permit the day before we rip out on the boat. I wasted more than a dozen phone calls and two weeks worth of time farting around with this.

Well, that's alright. I'm all learned up now.

Sorry it’s been a nightmare for you.

I went to the Lechee office in person to get a waterholes one. But as said in these replies they aren’t always there when they say. Once I was told to go to Antelope canyon for a waterholes permit. I also picked up a coal mine canyon permit once at monument valley visitor centre ( think I may have already paid for it though).
Alternatively, if she’s still there, at Cameron there was a helpful woman who would email the application forms, then I’d go to any US post office and mail the money order once I landed in the US, and then I’m pretty sure she emailed back the permit. May not be time for that now though


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[Iceaxe]

Spend time dealing with the Navajo Nation in regards to anything and you will soon understand why whitey rules the country and the Navajo live in a barren wasteland.

[kaniukr]

qedcook, badwobot, Mark Schnupp. I've pm'ed you