The camp was totally clean for us There are signs all over saying to pack out trash and human waste if the site is to stay open Maybe they recently did a clean up and posted signs I'm not sure, this was the first time for me I had my van with a cassette toilet, so it wasn't an issue for me, but if you're planning on staying make sure you bring a system to pack out your waste Also, 5 miles south of the site there is a dumpster and vault toilet that people seemed to be driving to in the morning to do their dutie...

I ran Spry on 6/30/2022 with 4 others We had one experienced individual with us not me Previous to this I had only tagged along in Birch Hollow and Orderville canyons -- making Spry my 3rd canyoneering experience ever My three sons two teens and a tween came along -- Spry was their first canyoneering experience It took us a long time probably more than 8 hours, I didn't do a great job of timing it though It had rained the day before 6/29/2022, and the Ranger stated that Spry had flashed The Ranger stressed that we ...

The Oak Creek Pictograph Panel is a small but very striking rock art site located just east of Oak City It is an easily accessible site that can be viewed directly from the road, making it a convenient stop for those visiting the nearby Oak Creek Campground The panel features four distinct anthropomorphic figures rendered in a deep red ochre pigment These human-like forms are characterized by a peculiar "spaded" or wide-footed stance, a visual detail that has sparked various interpretations over the years Some sugg...

Constrychnine is a great, short canyon on the south side of Poison Spring The canyon has a couple of large rappels, and one spectacular deep hallway section One of the rappels, is off a deadman anchor, reserving this canyon for canyoneers that have good anchor skills for evaluation, and building natural anchors Warning: The canyon USED to have a single piton for the 3rd rappel The piton was sketchy at best, and backing it up was recommended In the Fall of 2010, an additional bolt was placed to back up the piton In ...

Granary is a beautiful canyon perched high above Moab The canyon provides breathtaking views of the La Sal Mountains, Arches National Park, and the Behind The Rocks area of Moab This is a beginner friendly canyon that provides ample opportunities to work on your natural anchor skills Retrievable anchor techniques, such as using an OmniSling, are particularly useful to have along in your bag of tricks for this trip Because of the anchor possibilities, it is recommended to have extra webbing and rope Anchors can alwa...

I am often asked what I think the "best" canyon is that I have done It depends on how you determine "best" There are narrow canyons, canyons with big rappels, climbing canyons, pothole canyons, etc I will admit though, when pressed, Deer Creek is usually my pick for best canyon I have done It is a stunning section of canyon tucked at the bottom of the overwhelmingly immense and beautiful Grand Canyon Deer Creek left a smile on my face that lasted way beyond the actual canyon day Had we not been pressed for time, I ...

Tucked into the eastern slopes of the Wind River Mountains, Sinks Canyon State Park in Wyoming is a hidden gem Just six miles southwest of Lander, this unique canyon is named for the remarkable natural phenomenon where the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River disappears underground into a limestone cavern - known as "The Sinks" - only to reemerge a quarter mile downstream at "The Rise" Sinks Canyon offers a wealth of outdoor activities for visitors of all skill levels and interests Hikers can explore a network of tra...

Ruth Lake is tough to recommend enough This is a fantastic short hike with little elevation gain, making it an excellent family hike or for almost anyone The lake is nestled in an alpine setting with cliffs that are popular with rock climbers high above the trail The alpine setting, cliffs to the south, and views of Hayden Peak to the east make for a breathtaking setting Because of the beauty, ease of access, and ease of the hike, this is also a very popular hike On a typical summer weekend, the parking lot will li...

The Barlett Rock Art site is in the same Barrier style as The Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon The haunting eyes, vivid colors, and clean lines of the Barrier Style are one of my favorites to see The Bartlett site is north facing and must have been substantially larger before the lower portion of the rock flaked off Though unfortunate some of the panel has been lost to the millennia, what is left is still well worth the short hike to visit Note: The area used to be very overrun with ATV and vehicles tracks The tra...

Broken dreams and half finished buildings, Starr Ranch is an interesting place to visit Al Starr, seeking a spot to base his mining and horse operations out of, chose this site in the 1880s Al was a bit ahead of the mining boom in the area, as other mines, including the uranium mines around Farmers Knob to the north and Del Monte to the south, didn't start until about a decade later He hired a stonemason to build a house and cellar at the ranch, near the current day Starr Spring Campground The mason did exceptional...