Todo List
Capitol Reef
Cedar Mesa
Escalante & Bryce
Lake Powell
Moab
Northern Utah
Odds and Ends
Robbers Roost
San Rafael Swell
Tick List
Lost and Found Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 11/22/2024
With Michele and Jeff. Beautiful canyon, scenic, physical and interesting.
With Michele and Jeff. Beautiful canyon, scenic, physical and interesting.
Bow and Arrow Canyon - Potash Road
Date: 11/14/2024
J&F. Super fun, scenic place that is great for practicing new tricks. We used a CEM for the first time (on the low angle rap)! There are two sets of anchors for the big rap: the second one makes it all free-hanging.
J&F. Super fun, scenic place that is great for practicing new tricks. We used a CEM for the first time (on the low angle rap)! There are two sets of anchors for the big rap: the second one makes it all free-hanging.
Winter Camp Wash - Lost Spring
Date: 11/09/2024
J&F. Beautiful canyon with nice slickrock terraces, interesting views, and a rather intimidating rappel over a wicked head cut. Nice day poking around and sorting out the area roads. Went home via the Yellowcat road to the Cisco exit.
J&F. Beautiful canyon with nice slickrock terraces, interesting views, and a rather intimidating rappel over a wicked head cut. Nice day poking around and sorting out the area roads. Went home via the Yellowcat road to the Cisco exit.
Elephant Butte - Arches National Park
Date: 10/26/2024
With Jeff and Greg. Pit-roasted turkey when we got back.
With Jeff and Greg. Pit-roasted turkey when we got back.
Pool Arch Canyon - Moab
Date: 09/21/2024
Jeff and I did the complete Pool Arch with Jasmine, Sean and Allen after L2. It was pretty full, so we got wet above the waist. We did Crack 'n' Jill on 09/23/2024 after L1 with Jasmine, Jonathan, Alex, and Rob. Luckily, Amanda and Brian didn't have time to come along...
Jeff and I did the complete Pool Arch with Jasmine, Sean and Allen after L2. It was pretty full, so we got wet above the waist. We did Crack 'n' Jill on 09/23/2024 after L1 with Jasmine, Jonathan, Alex, and Rob. Luckily, Amanda and Brian didn't have time to come along...
Leprechaun Canyon - North Wash
Date: 09/10/2024
Kari and I hiked up from the bottom to the narrows after setting the car shuttle for the White Crack-Cataract adventure. Fun!
Kari and I hiked up from the bottom to the narrows after setting the car shuttle for the White Crack-Cataract adventure. Fun!
Fry Canyon - Cedar Mesa
Date: 09/10/2024
Kari and I poked around the first narrows after setting the car shuttle for the White Crack-Cataract adventure. Pools were fuller than we were interested in that day, so we looked around the start and the rim rather than going all the way through. Found a manky ladder on the west side that someone probably uses to get out after the first narrows section. We didn't trust it!
Kari and I poked around the first narrows after setting the car shuttle for the White Crack-Cataract adventure. Pools were fuller than we were interested in that day, so we looked around the start and the rim rather than going all the way through. Found a manky ladder on the west side that someone probably uses to get out after the first narrows section. We didn't trust it!
The Black Hole of White Canyon - Hite
Date: 09/10/2024
Kari and I went in and out before setting the White Crack-Cataract car shuttle. We didn't have a ton of time, and were worried about wood after the crazy storms, so we came out after going down a ways to check things out.
Kari and I went in and out before setting the White Crack-Cataract car shuttle. We didn't have a ton of time, and were worried about wood after the crazy storms, so we came out after going down a ways to check things out.
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 06/09/2024
Solo, but shared a shuttle saving me a hot bike ride. 150cfs is just enough to get the job done. Some nice flowers out. Found ANOTHER Oru! Drove out of the Swell via the Temple Mt. Road, which doesn’t seem to be much longer.
Solo, but shared a shuttle saving me a hot bike ride. 150cfs is just enough to get the job done. Some nice flowers out. Found ANOTHER Oru! Drove out of the Swell via the Temple Mt. Road, which doesn’t seem to be much longer.
Little Grand Canyon - Northern Swell
Date: 06/08/2024
Smacked a ditch in the Insight and had to go back to GR to get it checked out. So I was late getting started again. But water was 800cfs so I made it out in 3.5h at sunset. Did the bike shuttle in the dark, which was fun and cooler but pushed bedtime to midnight. Some good wildflowers on the drive in, a rattlesnake in the road, and a dead black-tailed jackrabbit, plus good river wildlife (lots of beaver again).
Smacked a ditch in the Insight and had to go back to GR to get it checked out. So I was late getting started again. But water was 800cfs so I made it out in 3.5h at sunset. Did the bike shuttle in the dark, which was fun and cooler but pushed bedtime to midnight. Some good wildflowers on the drive in, a rattlesnake in the road, and a dead black-tailed jackrabbit, plus good river wildlife (lots of beaver again).
Little Grand Canyon - Northern Swell
Date: 05/29/2024
Launched at about 5pm and camped at late sunset after 3.5-hours of fairly steady paddling on good water (roughly 220cfs). Lots of great wildlife: 7-8 beavers, wild turkey, tiny ducklings, deer, as well as new baby cows. The cow-beaver combo is decimating the cottonwoods, and lots of them end up in the river. Would be a good project to take out the emerging Russian Olive before it leaves the treasure hunt stage and becomes a big hassle. Finished the run with less than 1.5-hrs of paddling in the morning, then pedaled the shuttle back to Fuller Bottom in about 2-hrs. Found the real dinosaur track, and spent a little time looking more closely at the Buckhorn Rock Art Panel--it's impressive. Headed to the Wedge Overlook on the way out and met a giant truck and its cheerful driver: he had been delivering solar panels to a massive nearby installation and though he'd see the sights. Good thing his PR grandmother taught him how to drive loads on tiny roads!
Launched at about 5pm and camped at late sunset after 3.5-hours of fairly steady paddling on good water (roughly 220cfs). Lots of great wildlife: 7-8 beavers, wild turkey, tiny ducklings, deer, as well as new baby cows. The cow-beaver combo is decimating the cottonwoods, and lots of them end up in the river. Would be a good project to take out the emerging Russian Olive before it leaves the treasure hunt stage and becomes a big hassle. Finished the run with less than 1.5-hrs of paddling in the morning, then pedaled the shuttle back to Fuller Bottom in about 2-hrs. Found the real dinosaur track, and spent a little time looking more closely at the Buckhorn Rock Art Panel--it's impressive. Headed to the Wedge Overlook on the way out and met a giant truck and its cheerful driver: he had been delivering solar panels to a massive nearby installation and though he'd see the sights. Good thing his PR grandmother taught him how to drive loads on tiny roads!
Pleiades Canyon - Moab
Date: 07/30/2023
Hot day, with loud thunderheads. Bailed on the strip skiing and poked around in Brumley instead. So much stinging nettle, but wildflowers were still lovely.
Hot day, with loud thunderheads. Bailed on the strip skiing and poked around in Brumley instead. So much stinging nettle, but wildflowers were still lovely.
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 06/22/2023
Solo in packraft. Nice to be back after so long! Encountered a woman and her daughter having a bit of an epic--hopefully I helped them out of their panic. Tried to run on June 14 before we did Deso, but had a comedy of errors: took forever to get there in the Puch, so I was behind all day. Then the brakes failed, and I misplaced the skewer for my MTB which was to be the shuttle. There are people out there these days, so I probably could have mooched a ride. But after all that, it was raining upstream, so I bailed. I got rained on hard on the way out, but the wildflowers were awesome and I exited through Sinbad and Swazey's cabin, which I don't remember ever doing.
Solo in packraft. Nice to be back after so long! Encountered a woman and her daughter having a bit of an epic--hopefully I helped them out of their panic. Tried to run on June 14 before we did Deso, but had a comedy of errors: took forever to get there in the Puch, so I was behind all day. Then the brakes failed, and I misplaced the skewer for my MTB which was to be the shuttle. There are people out there these days, so I probably could have mooched a ride. But after all that, it was raining upstream, so I bailed. I got rained on hard on the way out, but the wildflowers were awesome and I exited through Sinbad and Swazey's cabin, which I don't remember ever doing.
Little Grand Canyon - Northern Swell
Date: 06/12/2023
Ran with Michele. Great to be back after so long! Lots of water, with fairly stout swirls and eddies and a few easily avoided strainers.
Ran with Michele. Great to be back after so long! Lots of water, with fairly stout swirls and eddies and a few easily avoided strainers.
Parriott Mesa - Castle Valley
Date: 11/15/2022
Muddy approach with cold wind. Snow and ice after reaching the wall. But beautiful day with Jeff.
Muddy approach with cold wind. Snow and ice after reaching the wall. But beautiful day with Jeff.
Granary Canyon - Moab
Date: 11/06/2022
Upper Granary with Julie, Michele, Tom & Tami, Christine. M & I wore dry suits, but there were walk arounds for the really deep holes.
Upper Granary with Julie, Michele, Tom & Tami, Christine. M & I wore dry suits, but there were walk arounds for the really deep holes.
Fiery Furnace - Arches National Park
Date: 10/09/2022
With Kim. Came up from the south. Looked for the Lomatium trail, but can't decide which of the two options from Kissing Turtles Arch is the right way--better come in from the north next time.
With Kim. Came up from the south. Looked for the Lomatium trail, but can't decide which of the two options from Kissing Turtles Arch is the right way--better come in from the north next time.
Fiery Furnace - Arches National Park
Date: 10/07/2022
With John and Margaret. Came up from the south, found Skull and Surprise Arches and finished the Ranger Loop.
With John and Margaret. Came up from the south, found Skull and Surprise Arches and finished the Ranger Loop.
Bow and Arrow Canyon - Potash Road
Date: 10/07/2022
With John and Margaret. Explored the slickrock above the river, and down to the start of the difficulties.
With John and Margaret. Explored the slickrock above the river, and down to the start of the difficulties.
Fiery Furnace - Arches National Park
Date: 01/07/2022
Up the south end again; found the way around the jump and followed the ranger tour all the way through.
Up the south end again; found the way around the jump and followed the ranger tour all the way through.
Fiery Furnace - Arches National Park
Date: 12/31/2021
Still closed. Hiked up the south drainage again, and joined the Ranger Trail to explore some short side canyons. Didnât go above the jump on the main channel.
Still closed. Hiked up the south drainage again, and joined the Ranger Trail to explore some short side canyons. Didnât go above the jump on the main channel.
Funnel Arch - Kane Creek
Date: 08/22/2021
Scrambling was harder than I remembered. Took the left route around the basin to the arch, and the direct route back down.
Scrambling was harder than I remembered. Took the left route around the basin to the arch, and the direct route back down.
Sunset Point and Goosenecks Point - Capitol Reef
Date: 06/20/2021
Out to Goosenecks for sunset and to check out Sulphur Creek.
Out to Goosenecks for sunset and to check out Sulphur Creek.
Sulphur Creek - Capitol Reef
Date: 06/12/2021
Went solo, but ran into a guy and his daughter to share the shuttle and hike together. Fun hike! Tricky move prevents the masses from hiking up from below.
Went solo, but ran into a guy and his daughter to share the shuttle and hike together. Fun hike! Tricky move prevents the masses from hiking up from below.
SGR Canyon - South of Moab
Date: 04/12/2021
With Michele to first viewpoint (bikes from Prostitute Butte).
With Michele to first viewpoint (bikes from Prostitute Butte).
Fiery Furnace - Arches National Park
Date: 12/30/2020
Still closed for COVID, but I explored the watercourse draining the area. Super fun maze, with not obvious route-finding that never got much harder than 3rd class.
Still closed for COVID, but I explored the watercourse draining the area. Super fun maze, with not obvious route-finding that never got much harder than 3rd class.
Prostitute Butte - South of Moab
Date: 12/06/2020
Put up new route on west end of butte (5.8 C0) with J and M. Requires aiders on last few moves to top out. Some needle-dick later chopped the first bolts, so maybe use RBs? The rock is too soft to hold a fall on gear in the sketchy crack.
Put up new route on west end of butte (5.8 C0) with J and M. Requires aiders on last few moves to top out. Some needle-dick later chopped the first bolts, so maybe use RBs? The rock is too soft to hold a fall on gear in the sketchy crack.
Elephant Butte - Arches National Park
Date: 11/20/2020
FF, Mike & Kim: the day after finishing the 6-day White Rim.
FF, Mike & Kim: the day after finishing the 6-day White Rim.
U-Turn Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 08/03/2020
Pete, Dave, Michelle, Julie, Marty, J & F. Fun and easy! Set last rap, then waited for full moon at the fudge-cicle but it was taking too long so we bailed and looked at the moon from the parking lot, instead. Workers on 191 hit a gas line, so town power was out and traffic bottle-necked. Cleared out by the time we left the park, though.
Pete, Dave, Michelle, Julie, Marty, J & F. Fun and easy! Set last rap, then waited for full moon at the fudge-cicle but it was taking too long so we bailed and looked at the moon from the parking lot, instead. Workers on 191 hit a gas line, so town power was out and traffic bottle-necked. Cleared out by the time we left the park, though.
Dragonfly Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 07/27/2020
Pete, David, Michelle, J & F. Fun! Potholes about half full and easily escaped. Good trail to start and route-finding on the short-cut return not severe. Use the canyon across from the balanced rim boulder to exit Courthouse Wash.
Pete, David, Michelle, J & F. Fun! Potholes about half full and easily escaped. Good trail to start and route-finding on the short-cut return not severe. Use the canyon across from the balanced rim boulder to exit Courthouse Wash.
Cluster Canyon (aka Entrajo) - Moab
Date: 07/15/2019
J & F, Seatons. Date approximate. No wetsuits needed. Most of the raps can be downclimbed.
J & F, Seatons. Date approximate. No wetsuits needed. Most of the raps can be downclimbed.
Pool Arch Canyon - Moab
Date: 12/03/2017
Beautiful fin narrows hike to a great arch. We didn't bring a rope, so we backtracked--still very fun!
Beautiful fin narrows hike to a great arch. We didn't bring a rope, so we backtracked--still very fun!
Cluster Canyon (aka Entrajo) - Moab
Date: 11/20/2016
F & J. Canât recall actual date, but it must have been around Thanksgiving since we were still working at Sagehen. Used drysuits, but that was overkill. Fixed rope in place at first mandatory rappel.
F & J. Canât recall actual date, but it must have been around Thanksgiving since we were still working at Sagehen. Used drysuits, but that was overkill. Fixed rope in place at first mandatory rappel.
Comments
Pool Arch Canyon - Moab
Date: 2024-09-25
Comment: I think we were the group ahead of you. We warned you!
Pool Arch Canyon - Moab : Photo
Date: 2024-09-25
Comment: Fiddle or no fiddle, don't rap here--use lower bolts like the metal tag tells you to do.
Fry Canyon - Cedar Mesa
Date: 2024-09-25
Comment: Anyone know what's up with that ladder back up onto the rim from a boulder on the left after the fir...
The Black Hole of White Canyon - Hite
Date: 2024-09-06
Comment: Any recent reports? I checked with the Backcountry office and they said all the canyons in the area ...
Little Grand Canyon - Northern Swell
Date: 2024-05-31
Comment: #conditions Launched late afternoon Wednesday and finished up Thursday morning after camping. Only s...
Little Grand Canyon - Northern Swell
Date: 2024-05-21
Comment: Do the shuttle with a bike. It’s a pleasant ride.
Stairmaster Trail - Kane Creek
Date: 2024-03-12
Comment: With a car shuttle you can also come out the Hidden Valley Trail, though it might be better done in ...
Moab Daily - Colorado River
Date: 2023-11-11
Comment: You are right: only the Grand Canyon uses the 1-10 scale. The rest of the Colorado River—including t...
Little Grand Canyon - Northern Swell
Date: 2023-06-24
Comment: Ran June 12 and saw only a few deer flies, but they are no doubt worse now. In the Chute day before ...
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 2023-06-23
Comment: Ran this today at about 190cfs, and the water level is forecasted to drop off from now on. So go soo...
Little Grand Canyon - Northern Swell
Date: 2023-06-11
Comment: Short notice, but how about tomorrow? I was planning to bike the shuttle, but I'd really rather not ...
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 2023-06-05
Comment: Remote and high potential consequences. Jeez, what’s with the constant beginner ambition about this ...
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 2023-05-09
Comment: BLM has a webpage for the trail. Then calling either the MIC in Moab, or the Visitor Center in Price...
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 2023-05-08
Comment: The Behind the Reef road is mostly fine, but there’s a super gnarly section not far from Chute Canyo...
Ruby and Horsethief Canyons - Colorado River
Date: 2023-04-27
Comment: I'd agree with Ryan, and I kind of think that if you have to ask, maybe you don't have enough experi...
High Spur Canyon - High Spur
Date: 2022-11-16
Comment: Thanksfor the useful info! BTW, Moab has ice and snow now, depending on your destination.
Parriott Mesa - Castle Valley
Date: 2022-11-15
Comment: The approach is currently very muddy, and the north wind is frigid. There’s continuous snow and ice ...
Granary Canyon - Moab
Date: 2022-11-08
Comment: I probed the last pool in the upper canyon on 11-6 and it was at least 6-ft deep. But you can hike a...
Funnel Arch - Kane Creek
Date: 2022-01-02
Comment: It ran along the ridge beside the arch (looker’s left) so you could get up onto the arch without 5th...
Funnel Arch - Kane Creek
Date: 2022-01-01
Comment: So, the cable to get on top is gone (since the late 1990’s?), but I’ve only ever heard this called C...
Fiery Furnace - Arches National Park
Date: 2022-01-01
Comment: Still closed for COVID.
Fiery Furnace - Arches National Park : Photo
Date: 2022-01-01
Comment: Haha! That photo looks like there’s no rope. FF still closed for COVID.
Lost and Found Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 2021-11-05
Comment: Thanks for this! I’m definitely with you on this. A lot of these casual unprotected exits are just w...
The Black Hole of White Canyon - Hite
Date: 2021-08-06
Comment: Any updates since the rains?
The Black Hole of White Canyon - Hite
Date: 2021-07-10
Comment: Anyone have a recent conditions report?
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 2021-06-11
Comment: This keeps coming up. Maybe it would be a good idea to add something about SUPs to the route beta, R...
Tunnel and Forget-Me-Not Canyon - Arches
Date: 2020-12-31
Comment: 3-4” of snow everywhere. A bit tricky to find the paths.
SGR Canyon - South of Moab
Date: 2020-09-13
Comment: Yeah, I think Ryan is being incredibly disingenuous and seriously unhelpful in saying this is a two ...
Moonflower Canyon - Kane Creek
Date: 2020-09-09
Comment: Agreed. These canyons are trade routes, and it causes far less impact to provide permanent anchors t...
U-Turn Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 2019-12-02
Comment: Yeah, there are a few real trolls in Moab. Sorry you found one. I hope you complained to the company...
Moonshine Wash - San Rafael Desert
Date: 2019-10-26
Comment: Thanks! How hard is the climbers exit, and is it protectable?
Moonshine Wash - San Rafael Desert
Date: 2019-10-23
Comment: Anyone know if you can hike to Moonshine from the river? Trin-alcove bend, maybe? What's the best ro...
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 2019-06-24
Comment: Thanks for posting this. It's been a long time since I floated the Chute, but it seemed to me that p...
Elephant Butte - Arches National Park : Photo
Date: 2019-05-19
Comment: Very helpful shot, thanks!
Cameltoe Canyon - Moab
Date: 2018-11-24
Comment: I really don’t think the approach up the wash as described is the best choice. Following the Jeep Ar...
Cameltoe Canyon - Moab
Date: 2018-11-05
Comment: What is the anchor?
Fins and Things Canyon - Moab
Date: 2017-12-03
Comment: Are there permanent anchors at the last drop?
The Chute of Muddy Creek - Southern Swell
Date: 2017-04-08
Comment: A mountain bike shuttle works great for this trip if you use a packraft or an IK that can be rolled ...
Dragonfly Canyon - Arches National Park : Photo
Date: 2017-04-07
Comment: That's a male bullfrog. They are a devastating invasive species in the canyonlands. Remove or kill (...
Ruby and Horsethief Canyons - Colorado River
Date: 2010-08-22
Comment: This description is for quite high flows. You would be in for a somewhat unpleasant workout if you a...
Moab Daily - Colorado River
Date: 2010-07-10
Comment: This is a very scenic, easily-accessed river stretch. Class III is a bit of a stretch--probably ...
Medieval Chamber - Moab
Date: 2010-02-25
Comment: Sounds like the rope grooves are getting pretty bad from simul-rapping. Better to use a sling over t...
North Fork of Mill Creek - Moab
Date: 2009-06-26
Comment: Agreed--a beautiful place! I don't know how "dog-friendly" it is, though. Just because they aren'...