Boundary Canyon 6/7/14 - Bone dry conditions

[nieder]

Did Boundary for my first time on Saturday June 7, 2014. Pre-trip call to the Water Conservancy District indicated a flow of 3 cfs in Kolob Creek. A few of the group brought wetsuits just in case there was flow, but it was pretty apparent due to the recent lack of rainfall and low levels in Kolob Reservoir that they wouldn't be needed. Dropping into the canyon there was absolutely no water at all until we got down to Kolob Creek.

The confluence here has got to be one of the prettiest places in Zion and the lower canyon down to MIA was stunning. Arizona Sister Butterflies flitted about, song birds songs echoed down canyon, blue jays circled the river, trout darted away from us in each pool. Absolutely perfect. It was hard to imagine the horrors that had happened not far upstream more than 20 years ago.

MIA exit wasn't as bad as the online world made it sound, I kept waiting for the hard part to start. It did help that we had some cloud cover so the hike out was actually pretty enjoyable in my opinion. The road back to the trailhead was more unpleasant as the sun came out and the tiredness set in. Overall a great day! About 7 hours car to car for a party of 6 and two sets of ropes.

[SlickRock]

Cool pics!! We've got plans for Boundary next month. No issue finding MIA exit? GPS used?

[nieder]

Cool pics!! We've got plans for Boundary next month. No issue finding MIA exit? GPS used?

Thanks and Nope, dropped right in no GPS- We brought along a topo and just watched for the cairn on the left side of the road on the way down. After you park, just head down the hill until you get a slight uphill area and before it drops again, the stack of largeish rounded black rocks will be on your left indicating the drop into the drainage. Just follow the rough trail from there! The exit roads were more complex, we printed out several google earth views and they were very helpful from MIA back to the car.

[jman]

Sweet! Good pics. Too bad it was all dry. That's great timing for your first time with a large group and your first time up MIA too.

[Sandstone Addiction]

Looked like Elmo was having a good time.

Loved your TR

[Brian in SLC]

Nice TR!

Now...where's the helmet police...ha ha.

Cheers.

[ratagonia]

Thanks and Nope, dropped right in no GPS- We brought along a topo and just watched for the cairn on the left side of the road on the way down. After you park, just head down the hill until you get a slight uphill area and before it drops again, the stack of largeish rounded black rocks will be on your left indicating the drop into the drainage. Just follow the rough trail from there! The exit roads were more complex, we printed out several google earth views and they were very helpful from MIA back to the car.

Is it just me? That answer made no sense at all.

Tom

[ratagonia]

Nice TR!

Now...where's the helmet police...ha ha.

Cheers.

Sweet pics...

Dude with the hard head - hey, if there's nothing going on upstairs, there's no need to protect it.

[zion6566]

Slick,
The start of the MIA exit is pretty obvious, and it quickly becomes a (steep) trail. There aren't very many places you can climb out of that canyon.

[Byron]

Sweet pics...

Dude with the hard head - hey, if there's nothing going on upstairs, there's no need to protect it.

You're way to predictable, Tom...

Hey Nieder, make sure you're friend knows that the high and mighty Tom Jones thinks he's an idiot. Isn't that nice?

[ratagonia]

You're way to predictable, Tom...

Hey Nieder, make sure you're friend knows that the high and mighty Tom Jones thinks he's an idiot. Isn't that nice?

It's my job Byron.

T

[nieder]

Is it just me? That answer made no sense at all.

Tom

Haha now that I look back and re-read it, you're right, it made no sense at all. So either he edited his post or I am completely insane...

[nieder]

Cool pics!! We've got plans for Boundary next month. No issue finding MIA exit? GPS used?

Sorry, my last answer made no sense-

We didnt have any trouble finding MIA- it is really obvious, and there was a large cairn and its the first place you could possibly escape without trad gear

[nieder]

Nice TR!

Now...where's the helmet police...ha ha.

Cheers.

Helmet-less dude actually got a helmet for his birthday the day before and didnt wear it...its a free country I guess...

[nieder]

Looked like Elmo was having a good time.

Loved your TR

Thanks!

[Slot Machine]

Nice TR! Thanks for sharing.

Does anyone know 'for sure', if Boundary is dry now, is there any guarantee that it will be dry for the rest of the summer?

[nieder]

Nice TR! Thanks for sharing.

Does anyone know 'for sure', if Boundary is dry now, is there any guarantee that it will be dry for the rest of the summer?

As for the rest of the summer, I don't think you can guarantee anything, but there is no snow up there, the reservoir is super low, and until the monsoon season hits and you are in there on the day it floods, and I'm no hydrologist, but I would say there probably isnt a way for water to get in there. Even in Kolob Creek, I think the flow will be down to almost nothing by the end of the summer.

[UtahAdventureGuide]

Does anyone know 'for sure', if Boundary is dry now, is there any guarantee that it will be dry for the rest of the summer?

Just did Boundary this past weekend and it is still Bone dry. I called the water district Friday afternoon and the water from Kolob was shut off for at least a week. We did manage to botch the MIA exit a bit but made it out fine.

[taatmk]

Great pics and info. Thanks for sharing.

[2065toyota]

Boundary being dry has nothing to do with kolob being open or closed.

I called them yesterday and they plan on releasing 3cfm for the next. So any kolob attempts should be ok but check the flow first to be safe


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