Help salvage my Zion trip!

[rock_ski_cowboy]

Well I'm trying to salvage my Zion trip this weekend by replacing my Zion canyons with non-Zion fare and am hoping for some suggestions.

My original plans were to take my family down the subway and then do something more technical the next day after my parents leave like Keyhole w/ Pine or Echo. I'm really bummed about all those fire closures, as you might guess.

Anyhow, I'm considering still doing the trip and these are my thoughts:

Do Kanarra Creek instead of Subway. I realize nothing can replace the Subway but it seems like a good Hike to introduce my parents to the canyons. Any other good semi-tech slots with water in the area?

I'm considering Red Cave for a Saturday since I can find beta on that.

How are Rock Canyon, Yankee Doodle? Better options than Red Cave? Any other really good canyons outside the park I'm missing? (Lava Point is closed so Boundary is out too)

Thanks,

Ben
email benjaminroberts@hotmail.com if you'd prefer that over a public post.

[rockgremlin]

I was also thinking Kanarra right off the bat.

[Iceaxe]

I would replace Subway with Red Cave, with a slight twist... I would not do the Lower Cave, only the Upper. There is a nice ATV track that climbs a ridge between Upper and Lower that allows easy access to the top of both caves. I would descend Upper. If using my beta this is no more difficult then doing the Subway and much more of a slot canyon experience. The ATV track is noted on my maps.

Yankee Doodle is fun but short (think Keyhole and you get the idea).

Kanarra Creek is one of the prettiest places in Southern Utah.

Rock is a nice stroll with a couple of rappels but you will be 4x4 through miles of deep sand to reach the TH this time of year.

I think Tanya has the Water Canyon hike on her site. To do the tech just follow the water course down from the top. I'm told no rappels are longer then 200' but that is second hand.

Just my 2 cents.

[moabfool]

I know it's been posted in general discussion, but this could be the salvation of your trip. Tell me if you hear anything.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1504234

It looks like I made the right decisions. Zion last weekend, Yellowstone this weekend.

[Win]

Red Cave might be your best bet. I saw a list of fires this morning but now I can't find it. There was one in Kanarraville and the Danish Ranch Fire which is up by Yankee Doodle. We had one start on Smith Mesa last nite but it looks like they got it out.

I live in the Hurricane Valley and it's pretty smoky.

Win

[bruce from bryce]

email me sideband and I'll pass along some info on water canyon.

[tanya]

Check out some of this hikes.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/east-zion-photos.htm

Water Canyon and Canaan Mountain info is on this page too. The problem with Water Canyon is that it is a commercial guide site, but if that does not bug you, it's a pretty canyon. I don't have the "techncial canyon" info on Bo's and my site, it just the hiking. For an outstanding hike you can start at Hilldale and hike to Rockville, but unless it's cloudy and cooler that weekend it will be a very hot hot! Red Cave is one of my favorite places, but you would need a 4WD.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-red-cave.htm


In Zion, but should be out of the fire and maybe the smoke?

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zio...ark-hiking.htm

These 3 are more of winter, spring or fall hikes. They are in full sun and really hot right now.

Parunuweap Pass
Cockeye Falls
Bridge Mountain

Parunuweap Canyon - Can enter early when its not hot out yet, but the exit is going to be hot. While in the canyon of course it will be nice. Have you done Fat Man's Misery? I like to set up a 4WD out near Coral Pink Sand Dunes and exit that way

http://www.zionnational-park.com/parunuweap-canyon.htm

or you can exit near the Powell Plaque and head back to Checkerboard Mesa the way you came.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zio...on-narrows.htm


If you want an outstanding hike Canaan Mountain is magnificent. For the family, the slot canyons on Skutumpah in the GSENM are great.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/gshike.htm

Kanarra Creek - Very short and very busy, but I have seen some of the best photos ever come from that little waterfall.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/kanarra-creek.htm


One of my favorite canyons ever is Ice Box! Would the fire affect that one at all? You start at the Kolob area - Lee Pass.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-ice-box.htm

Although I guess if there are no permits, this one is a no....