Upper Imlay with a Emergency Escape out of the Sneak Route.
Upper Imlay Canyon
<font color="#000000"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPOF...ature=youtu.be
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A little over a month ago I received a message from a fellow canyoneer from Alabama. I was thrilled when I read that he was inviting me to come canyoneering with him during his vacation to Utah. One of the best things about being an active member of the online canyoneering community is that you get to meet amazing people in some of the earths most beautiful places. I was excited to meet up with my new friend Kuenn. I was also very happy to run a canyon with Mark and Tyler. They are a rockstar, Father-son canyoneering team. I hope to be like them when I grow up and get big ;) really though.
This trip started off awesome! We were dropped off at the Lava Point trail so we could do the trip without coming back later! It was so nice to not have to worry about a shuttle vehicle! Thanks Kuenn! It wasn't long after we arrived at the TH till we were on the West Rim Trail heading to the Head of Imlay canyon. The approach is about 5 miles, but it goes by fast. The trail is easy and downhill.
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Once we arrived at the Head of Imlay, I had one of the best bivvy experiences ever. For this overnighter I actually had a sleeping bag, hammock, pad, and warm clothes. For the first time, my bivy experience was actually pleasant!
Morning came quickly. We left at first light hoping to get through the canyon before the afternoon rains came. The morning was perfect and Upper Imlay proved to be a great canyon, again.
Unfortunately once we got to the crossroads, we were scared by the looming clouds and the thunder they created. Instead of risking our lives to chance in the extreme narrows of Imlay, we decided to bail. None of us had ever hiked out of the Sneak route (an alternate route to get into Imlay canyon), but we kinda knew where it was and decided to hike up and out of it.
The exit proved to be a very worthy, but very difficult venture. Fortunately Mark and Tyler brought a map with them that helped us navigate a bit easier. If it wasn't for them, we might have had a much more difficult time getting out of that place. The trail up the Sneak Route was pretty steep at times. It was pretty slow going. However, I was happy to see some different places in the park. One of the highlights was when I came down upon Scout Lookout and was able to see Zion Canyon and Angles Landing from the top again. I hadn't seen that view in the daylight for 6 years! What a view! I also enjoyed seeing Telephone canyon and the its surrounding area. So Pretty!
To complete my experience, I was able to see a Tarantula spider on my hike down from Angels Landing. I had heard and read that they existed in the park, and had always wanted to see one for myself. I was so happy when I did!
All in all, even though we didn't get to see the better parts of Imlay, the trip was a good one. It was great to be out with friends and it was wonderful to see new parts of Zion!
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