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04-11-2013, 03:12 PM #1
TR: Eagle Canyon, Forgotten Canyon, and San Rafael Knob
Introduction
This is the story of our weekend in the San Rafael Swell during early April. It was a beautiful weekend with lots of variety since we did much hiking, scrambling, canyoneering and climbed the highest peak in the Swell.
Participants were Fred Genske, Justin Kuhn, Kessler, and me.
The photos will tell most of the story.
April 6: Eagle Canyon/Forgotten (Secret Mesa) Canyon
Fred Genske, Justin Kuhn, Kessler and I went for a big loop between Eagle and Forgotten Canyons. Forgotten has been in the back of my mind for a long time and I hadn’t been there yet.
We started near the bridge and hiked down the wide section of Eagle Canyon to the Kayenta Narrows. Slots in the Kayenta formation are rare, but Eagle Canyon has a pretty good one.
After noticing that the pool at the end was dry except for ice, we dropped into the slot. We traversed the slot with minimal problems. It was a good slot, but it would have been nice if it were a lot longer.
Kessler wanted to be the first person to rappel into Eagle Canyon, so we let him go first and check it out.
After two rappels and some downclimbs, we headed down canyon. We met another couple at the falls and they were traversing around it. It was the last we saw of them.
A giant Douglas fir just below the big drop in Eagle Canyon. The tree is 25 meters/82 feet high. It's still smaller than the trees in the Pacific Northwest, for example, but here is the Utah desert, it is huge. Douglas fir are rare in the San Rafael Swell, but this one is able to survive in the desert due to abundant shade and a pool of water that is usually present.
Just down canyon was another nice slot. Not far below that, we ascended Forgotten Canyon (a.k.a. Secret Mesa Canyon). It was better than expected and was actually quite nice. There were several nice climbing obstacles to negotiate as well. We also explored several really good side slots with some great 5th class climbing and also found the large arch in a side canyon.
A slot section in Forgotten Canyon.
Parts of Upper Forgotten Canyon are wide and sandy, while other parts narrow down to slot. This is one wide and sandy section.
Interestingly, there was a little snow in the canyon (It was quite warm outside) and the pool in the final slot probably had ice one foot thick.
After doing an exciting ledge traverse on the north side of the slot (later we found that the standard route is on the south side) we reentered the canyon before it faded away onto the mesa. From there it was a nice and scenic walk past some impressive rock buttes and towers back to the trailhead.
San Rafael Knob as seen from the benches above Forgotten Canyon. It would be the climb for the next day.
Some of the buttes on the benchlands above Forgotten Canyon. This one is much bigger than it looks in the photo. I wonder if this one has ever been climbed?
It was a pretty long day, but only because we spent much time exploring all the side slots and some other side trips.April 7: San Rafael Knob
It was a chilly morning and we notice that the waterbottles were partially frozen. I guess that this can be expected in early April at 7200 feet, but once the sun came up, it warmed up quickly.
Fred Genske joined me for a climb of the San Rafael Knob. We didn’t drive all the way to the standard trailhead so road walked to the ATV track which we hiked. We started off on the wrong track, so we had to do some backtracking and traversing, but once on the right track, we quickly made our way to the Knob.
The San Rafael Knob was a beautiful scramble to the top of a spectacular summit. Interestingly, there was still some snow on the north side. I was going to climb the Northeast Ridge directly, but Fred found an easier way up on the south side.
After enjoying the great views, we descended the knob and made our way quickly back to the vehicle. It was a good climb.
Utah is a very special and unique place. There is no where else like it on earth. Please take care of it and keep the remaining wild areas in pristine condition. The world will be a better place if you do.
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Post Thanks / Like - 2 LikesWorkBad, Sandstone Addiction liked this post
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04-11-2013 03:12 PM # ADS
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04-11-2013, 03:34 PM #2
Sweet!
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04-11-2013, 06:47 PM #3
Very cool Scott. That would be a fun trip.
For both Eagle and Forgotten, how lot did it take to traverse it? Like 3-4hrs each? Or, are the canyons shorter than that?●Canyoneering 'Canyon Conditions' @ www.candition.com
●Hiking Treks (my younger brother's website): hiking guides @ www.thetrekplanner.com
"He who walks on the edge...will eventually fall."
"There are two ways to die in the desert - dehydration and drowning." -overhearing a Park Ranger at Capitol Reef N.P.
"...the first law of gear-dynamics: gear is like a gas - it will expand to fit the available space." -Wortman, Outside magazine.
"SEND IT, BRO!!"
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04-11-2013, 08:23 PM #4
Nice! I've always wanted to do those. Looks like some less traveled canyons, away from the trade routes.
Nat
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04-12-2013, 06:01 AM #5For both Eagle and Forgotten, how lot did it take to traverse it?
Looks like some less traveled canyons, away from the trade routes.Utah is a very special and unique place. There is no where else like it on earth. Please take care of it and keep the remaining wild areas in pristine condition. The world will be a better place if you do.
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04-12-2013, 08:11 AM #6
That loop was my first canyoneering trip! Great report!
--Cliff
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