Results 1 to 14 of 14
-
09-08-2008, 12:56 PM #1
Boltergeist & Water Canyon (Full Right Fork)
-Boltergeist-
Took a run through Boltergeist as part of a group of eight on Saturday. While not of Zion quality, like nearby Yankee Doodle the canyon has more charm and character than one might expect from Silver Reef. With a handful of rappels, only one or two of which seem mandatory, the final rappel (100' or so) can be done directly down the watercourse (nice) or from a tree on the left (LDC).
Once through the technical canyon, one hangs a left at a confluence and proceeds up a lush, vegetation-choked drainage with a delightful stream gurgling through it. After a couple hundred yards, you pass by a beautiful waterfall then gain a steep, loose slope that leads one back toward the car.
Bidding John, Aaron and Ryan farewell (thanks to John for putting this together in the first place), the rest of us then took another romp through Yankee Doodle before spending way too much money on dinner at nearby Cosmopolitan (good food, but pricey).
-Water Canyon (Full Right Fork)-
Despite the assurance from a few knowledge folks that a release of 15cfs from Kolob Reservoir would be okay for a descent of Boundary Canyon, we took one look at the point where Kolob Creek crosses Kolob Terrace Road and decided to wait for another day. It looked pretty wild, and none of had been through the drainage before to know how it would translate for us down-canyon.
Instead, we headed on over to creepy Hildale for a go at Water Canyon. We had no beta but I'd recalled reading a trip report from Bo and Tanya which made the canyon sound like fun. Let's go!
Hiking up lower Water Canyon, we soon left the drainage and gained the steep, meandering trail that led to the rim above. Along the way, we noted two prominent forks in the upper canyon. Unsure of which was the "standard" route, we continued up to the head of the right fork and dropped in.
Immediately encountering thick, thick vegetation and no signs of feet, we continued down a bit discouraged. The drop was gradual and unpleasant and we began to question our choice of canyons for the day. But then...
The canyon narrowed, and a slot formed. There was a short rappel (or sketchy downclimb) to drop in. Then another. Then another...with a narrower slot forming in the distance. And a logjam perhaps blocking the way.
The slot was tight. North Wash tight, perhaps 18" at one point. Mike, my 240-pound buddy, just barely squeezed through after removing his harness. We crawled under the logjam near the end and popped out into a widening canyon.
After setting up a sketchy rappel off a 1" diameter root a bit further on, we encountered another narrow slot (24") that soon led to an abyss. One could either seek out a suitable anchor (none obvious, at a glance) and rappel straight down and then swim out to daylight under a huge arch, or do a nasty, narrow downclimbing traverse on down-sloping ledges over heinous exposure. Yahoo!
Below the funky traverse, we soon encountered the confluence of the two main forks, and finally, footprints. The rest of the canyon was dispatched with joy and fine style. Good times!
-
09-08-2008 12:56 PM # ADS
-
09-08-2008, 04:59 PM #2
We had a great time Courtney. It was great meeting you, Mike, Andy, Dion. We need to do it again. I would be up for Boundry in two weeks if I can get some one to drive down with me.
-
09-08-2008, 05:35 PM #3
I had wondered if the other forks of Water Canyon could be decened.
-
09-08-2008, 08:40 PM #4
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Location
- Just a few miles from Zion National Park
- Posts
- 8,456
I met one of the guys that did this with you tonight - nice man! Sounds like it turned out to be a fun trip, even with the high water issue.
-
09-10-2008, 01:19 PM #5
i did water canyon 3 weeks ago and what you are describing dosn't sound like the same canyon i did. there was no bush wacking and the trail was very easy to follow. we saw 3 outfit companies guding people down but some of them droped in the canyon at different points along the trail. only 2 raps didn't have anchors but all in all the canyon was very easy, we had to ditch the last two drops becuase of a nasty storm moving in. anyone have any topo of the other drainages in that area. One thing about the canyon is that it sure is pretty up there .
IT ALWAYS LOOKS HIGHER FROM THE TOP!!!!
-
09-11-2008, 09:45 AM #6Originally Posted by canyonguru
My pics from earlier this year (jan) show some other drainages. I tired scouting up the drainages this past June but stopped once the Bush wacking started.
Other Drainages pics
The confluence, sory for the grany quality it was late evening & bad lighting
-
09-12-2008, 07:22 AM #7Originally Posted by trackrunner
-
09-12-2008, 07:41 AM #8
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Location
- Just a few miles from Zion National Park
- Posts
- 8,456
Originally Posted by canyonguru
-
09-12-2008, 08:25 AM #9Originally Posted by tanya
-
09-12-2008, 08:30 AM #10
- Join Date
- Oct 2005
- Location
- Just a few miles from Zion National Park
- Posts
- 8,456
Originally Posted by cp0915
-
09-12-2008, 11:37 AM #11
I look forward to the day.
(You're so sweet, Tanya. You made me blush.)
-
09-16-2008, 02:32 PM #12
if you guys ever want to get together for a canyon just let me know i will drive up from vegas. or if you are interested in doing The Maze next year you could head down here.
IT ALWAYS LOOKS HIGHER FROM THE TOP!!!!
-
09-16-2008, 02:51 PM #13Originally Posted by canyonguru
-
09-16-2008, 04:51 PM #14
yeah well that happens, that is the only thing that i get worried about is how long all the webbing is for each rap. But that is cool that you went down this late in the season. I wont be heading up there until next year probably late summer so the water is worm.
IT ALWAYS LOOKS HIGHER FROM THE TOP!!!!
Similar Threads
-
[Beta] Water Canyon Squirrel Canyon loop help?
By Rented mule in forum Hiking, Scrambling & Peak BaggingReplies: 5Last Post: 05-27-2009, 03:04 PM -
[Trip Report] Boltergeist Canyon
By taatmk in forum CanyoneeringReplies: 7Last Post: 05-12-2009, 09:45 AM -
full gravel canyon
By SLCmntjunkie in forum CanyoneeringReplies: 8Last Post: 04-20-2009, 05:36 PM -
[Trip Report] TR: American Fork Canyon: Tibble Fork area
By BruteForce in forum Offroad 4x4, Side by Side and ATVReplies: 4Last Post: 11-28-2008, 09:31 AM -
Fifth Water Hot Springs near Spanish Fork
By geodiva in forum General DiscussionReplies: 10Last Post: 12-10-2007, 10:45 AM
Visitors found this page by searching for:
Outdoor Forum