06/17/17 - Water Canyon, Hilldale, Utah

[jman]

This is about 5 months old and I do apologize, so please don't take this as a conditions report.

Surprisingly, how for many times I have been canyoneering in Zion (15+ years!) I have not reached out to the famous Water Canyon. And indeed it is famous for a reason. On this particular day, we ran into 5 (!) separate guiding companies. It made for a busy day in the canyon; however, we still had plenty of time just to ourselves.

It was a mix of a 10+ or so raps varying from all heights and types. Our favorite rap was probably the 2nd to last (or last, listed in some beta) where in ends in a free-hang. So cool! While the drive was a little long, it was worth the drive.

And the source of the spring is very similar to the section found in the Subway. Beautiful! Hiking to the spring on a hot day would be good enough for most hikers. It is an oasis in there!


Anyway, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves (and there is a lot! about 100 pictures. Sorry, but not sorry, for the picture overload!)

[ratagonia]

Water Canyon is likely the second-most-utilized canyon (after the Subway) in the Zion area. I don't consider it that good of a self-guided canyon, but it is an excellent canyon for guiding as it has several entrances and many exits, so the day can be dynamically adjusted to the group's abilities and desires.

The point being that, on almost any day, people will find this canyon with a lot of guided parties in it. Most guides are well trained to dance with the other parties in the canyon, but you never know.

Tom

[Iceaxe]

While Water Canyon is usually crowded I found it moves rather efficiently. I consider Pine Creek to be the worst for traffic jams, few things are slower or worse than noob's teaching noob's how to canyoneer in Pine Creek.