Tucked in a canyon high on the slopes of the Eastern San Rafael Reef, Hurst Bridge is a gem The bridge itself is quite interesting and scenic, but the views of Ernie Canyon, the La Sals, the San Rafael Desert and surrounding areas make this a hike not to be missed It offers big views Many had warned me finding the arch was exceedingly difficult I would rate it as moderate navigation Getting to the general area is not particularly difficult, though may take some persistence to find the actual arch once in the area I...

This short little canyon has a bit of history with me We first gave it a go Thanksgiving Day in 2005 or 2006 The weather was a bit grim, so I decided it would be a nice, short canyon to check out Our initial rim walk showed a lot of water in the canyon I rappelled in from the side in a couple of places to check it out, and found long pools in both sections My desire for comfort won out over my desire for exploration, and we left that day hoping to get back in the spring to descend it As often happens, I didn't make...

Beginner canyoneer Intermediate canyoneer Spencer Canyon offers a route for either The canyon is short, but with easy access and a relatively easy exit, it is a charmer in a very accessible part of Escalante The beginner route poses no real issues, aside from a few down climbing challenges to reach the start, then requires only one short rappel into an amazingly deep and dark slot Got game The intermediate route adds an upper section to the day that allows for more rappels, beautiful colors, practicing route findin...

The upper black box is my favorite canyoneering adventure in the northern swell A very short approach and exit, coupled with an incredible stretch of canyon make this one that keeps me coming back A big thanks to jddiener for pointing out the preferred out, it makes a good canyon even better! Warning: The flash flood danger in the Upper Black Box is very high Check the weather forecast before starting, and make sure it has not rained recently and is not going to rain Check the flow of the river before starting The ...

Every time I've done Psycho Damage I've had the same thought at the end; "wow, that was a little harder than I remembered, but what a great canyon!" That sums up my take on the canyon The canyon gets its name from one of the early or possible first descents in 2005 when a group got stuck mid-way through with rain overhead and darkness fast approaching The group bivied, and escaped the next morning, but the canyon had made an impact and the name Psycho Damage was born I was fortunate enough to descend it a year or t...

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 ...

Slideanide Canyon is a great, short canyon on the south side of Poison Spring Those with higher ability than myself have downclimbed the entire canyon Others have done 4 or more rappels This is a great place to work on your downclimbing and partner spotting skills The canyon itself has several nice narrow sections, and a stunning final rappel or series of downclimbs

Upper Ticaboo is a bit different from other canyon adventures in the area It doesn't contain any narrow slot sections, but does contain fantastically carved and smooth drops and a short, but intense pothole section The canyon is punctuated by several big rappels, as well as a unique natural bridge you rappel through mid-way down the canyon The pothole section can be easily bypassed, making this an adventure suitable to all canyoneering abilities It is a fairly long day, and best enjoyed in Spring and Fall before th...

The main fork of Butler does not have much to recommend it if you are looking for a slot canyon adventure The slot section is short and fairly shallow The main fork of Butler Canyon is a good option if you are looking for a nice hike with a couple of raps thrown in for good measure The canyon near, and just below the rappels is a very beautiful, wide canyon

I always think of Cable Canyon as the Squeezes little brother Not quite as long, or technical, but still a lot of fun in a relatively short package Like the Squeeze, you get to do the hard work of the approach first, making this a great summer trip if you get an early start to be in the canyon before the heat of the day The canyon contains a few keeper potholes, so is recommended only for experienced canyoneers I have always visited in the high summer, which tends to find many of the potholes dry and easy to escape...