Sometimes good things come in small packages! Although short, both the East and West forks of Big Spring Canyon offer fantastic slot sections The two canyons have different personalities, with the West Fork being more challenging and technical The West Fork is recommended for intermediate or better canyoneers The East Fork, on the other hand, is much easier and suitable for most canyoneers It does not have any rappels, but a short rope is recommended to help beginners over a couple of moderate downclimbs WARNING: F...

Spring Canyon, near Helper, was the site of extensive coal mining in the early 1900s The area was heavily mined between 1912 to the end of World War II, with lingering operations all the way through about 1970 The canyon's coal deposits attracted many to come, settle, and try to make a life in the mines and supporting businesses In the approximately 6 mile length of the canyon, over a half a dozen communities sprung up to support the miners and mining industry, as well as a railroad line to move the coal down canyo...

Keyhole Canyon has long been a significant location for Native American cultures, particularly the Southern Paiute and Ancestral Puebloans The canyon contains numerous petroglyphs etched into its rocks, dating back thousands of years These carvings often depict animals, human figures, and abstract designs, reflecting spiritual beliefs, hunting rituals, and daily life For those interested in rock art, it is an interesting site to visit and requires just a very short walk For canyoneers, the smooth granite walled can...

Peekaboo and Spooky are the quintessential first slot canyon experience for many Relatively easy access, incredible slot canyons, and a relatively short day make this a hike to bring the family on These canyons are popular for good reason It was one of my first slot canyons long ago and once I have re-visited many times over the years Though the canyons are popular, there are a couple of minor obstacles The most difficult obstacle is a climb to get into Peek-a-boo that some may want a hand-line for, or use some tea...

Dry Hollow is short and sweet! It is rare to find a canyon you can pull off the highway and be rappelling into the canyon within five minutes! The canyon starts with a rappel into a deep, dramatic slot The slot, though only about 200' in length, is narrow Smaller framed canyoneers will be able to fit on the bottom Larger canyoneers will need to chimney above a few tight spots The stemming is a good size for most, as you can go a little higher or stay a little lower depending on height and comfort level to find a go...

Cameltoe is a not-very-technical canyon that drains into the Colorado River off the Potash Road The canyon is more of a hike than other canyons described here, having only one rappel Although the canyon appears to be done frequently based on the footprints on the trail, it is likely to be most enjoyed by hikers looking for a little bit of technical adventure, or beginning canyoneers Hikers and climbers frequent the area, don't expect solitude

Little Holes Canyon is a side drainage of Buckhorn Wash Steve Allen, in his book Canyoneering The Swell, has a brief write-up of Little Holes He makes it sound somewhat idyllic, and we were excited to finally visit The canyon, in the Navajo sanstone layer, is quite different from its neighbors, Furniture Draw or Calf Canyon The upper section tends to be densely vegetated, somewhat narrow, and can hold water After recent rains, the upper section had very deep pools The middle and lower sections are more open, but st...

The Cistern and Ramp Canyons loop is one of the San Rafael Swell classics The route visits two very different canyons Cistern Canyon is easy walking and fairly wide while Ramp contains several obstacles, and some amazingly well-sculpted canyon floors and solutions pocketed walls The hike along the reef connecting the two is the icing on the cake, giving great views of this unique landscape Ascending Ramp Canyon comes with a price The crux obstacle requires unprotected lower 5th class climbing Although not hard 52 -...

Like Long days Then this is the canyon for you! And yes, the pun was intended Long Canyon is actually not the longest tributary of White Canyon, but at 12 miles or so, it is definitely far reaching The canyon, although it can be done in one day, makes for a very full day Many would enjoy the canyon more as an overnight backpack Non-technical visitors can use this write-up in reverse and visit many of the best parts of the canyon from below If coming up from the bottom, expect a fair bit of problem solving needed to...

Buck Canyon is often maligned as not being particularly good This sentiment is likely a case of beauty is in the eye of the beholder The slot section of Buck is short, and not very technical, thus puts many canyoneers offThat being said, the canyon does have a lovely narrows section, and a great exit hike that visits two natural arches This canyon is well suited to beginners and those looking for a nottotechnical day Aside from the one short rappel, the canyon has a couple of steep downclimbs These downclimbs, howe...