Alcatraz starts like a Mountain Dew commercial, with a 50 m rappel off your car bumper With such a dramatic start, it is hard to imagine the canyon getting any better or more adventurous, but it does! Aside from the go-big-or-go-home entrance rappel, the rest of the canyon is a deep, dark, sinuous slot The canyons name comes from a group Scott Patterson and Michael Kelsey that were descending the slot As the narrows began growing tighter and tighter, they were unsure they could finish the canyon Mike led a particul...

A short canyon, with big views Smokestack is a canyon you do more for the approach and exit hikes than for the actual canyon The approach winds its way up an improbable gully to the top of Meeks Mesa using a circuitous route locals have often used in the past to reach the mesa top The views from the mesa are stunning of the Aquarius Plateau to the south, Thousand Lake Mountain, and the Waterpocket Fold After taking in the views, Smokestack is descended to Chimney Rock canyon, and the ever lovely Chimney Rock canyon...

Tucked high above Hickman Bridge, Stegosaur Slot offers a short narrow section of canyon with an amazing approach The views along the approach are stunning, and the route up offers just enough route finding challenge to be fun The canyon is named after a distinctive ridgeline that defines the skyline above the canyon I had poked around this area years ago, and when I recently heard of a new canyon being done called Stegosaur Slot, I immediately knew the general area It is a very distinctive landmark The route descr...

Dairy Canyon is not a destination canyon, but if you are in the area it makes for a great family friendly outing The canyon can be hiked up from the bottom by all in a short hour or so as an out and back to an impassable dry fall Though short, it visits a lovely section of canyon and is easily accessible from Richfield Technical canyoneers can follow the rim of the canyon and descend through a short narrows, rappel the dryfall, and amble back to the car in likely an hour or less The short approach, straightforward ...

Pine Creek has to be the most popular technical canyon in Zion It is a truly amazing canyon, and well worth the popularity it has attained The canyon has a half a dozen rappels, but all are straight forward It is a good introduction to Zion canyoneering, and suitable to all groups with competent leadership The middle section is cavern-like and sublime If you are only going to do one canyon in Zion, this is the one I would recommend It can be busy, but offers many opportunities to pass slower parties if needed Note:...

Have a couple of hours to kill in North Wash Done all the classics Looking for a casual evening route Want something new Death is for you! A short approach, leads to a short entrada slot canyon, with a 10 m rappel Although not a destination, it is a fun little canyon The short approach and ease make this one that I have done a number of times as an "on-the-way-home" type adventure It is also one of my "intro-to-canyoneering" type outings, and I know several of my friends have done the same

Misery, or Fat Man's Misery as it is often referred to, is one canyon that definitely does NOT live up to its name This is one of my favorites in Zion Though the hike starts in the park, the technical section is outside of the park, so no permit is necessary, it has enough length to keep the gumbies out, and the scenery is about as good as it gets without being particularly technical or difficult Absolutely a must do! The first time I did Misery, I did the West Fork the first day, and the East Fork the next day Sur...

Mystery Canyon is touted by some as the best canyon in Zion, or at least their personal favorite Perhaps I'm contrary, but I would rate Mystery fairly far down my personal list of favorite Zion canyons It is likely rated a "classic" because the last rappel, into the Narrows, is scenic and almost always has a large group of tourists to cheer you down, giving it a unique ambiance The canyon itself is pretty and offers a short bit slot, a couple of scenic rappels, and even a cold swim or two A good intro to Zion Navig...

With it's easy access, and short length, the Main Fork of Twin Corral Box is a great outing for those looking to squeeze one more adventure in during an afternoon Alternatively, the canyon is a pretty good family adventure in an interesting slot The short section after the exit is a little spicy to reverse, but unique and well worth the effort Update 10/15/2014 Several people have commented that floods have changed the sand levels, added more debris, and made it tighter/more difficult Not recommended for beginners ...

Chambers, although short in length, packs a lot of action and beauty into a small space Due to the amount of climbing, this is reserved for intermediate or better canyoneers Also, due to its size, canyoneers over about 180 lbs or with barrel chests will not fit At least one person has been trapped in its narrow clutches, barely escaping after several hours of effort Take this canyon seriously The reward for those that dare enter is a stunning section of slot Mid-day, or afternoon, the upper slot sections light up a...