Pandora's holds a special place in my heart It was one of the first canyons I explored without beta The first time we checked it out, we found no signs of passage, and fixed the first several drops Impressed by what we found, but out of rope and time, we retreated to come back and finish it another day Since then I have done the whole canyon several times, and just the upper section another 3 or 4 times It never fails to impress The canyon was done without the use of bolts Pandora's has a unique character The canyo...

Gold Strike Canyon, home to Gold Strike Hot Springs, and Nevada Hot Springs is just downstream from Hoover Dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River Access is relatively easy, requiring about an hour or so hike down from the trailhead near the highway Be warned, however, this hike is not recommended by the National Park Service in summer months due to heat and the high potential for encountering rattlesnakes Also be aware, this is an incredible popular hike with locals As such, expect to run into numerous group...

A flat water river adventure that has it all The float enjoys an impressively deep canyon, multiple hot springs along the way to soak the weary body in, plenty of side canyons to explore, and even an old gauging station from the 1920's There has to be a catch, right Sort of The Black Canyon of the Colorado is a fantastic flat water float, and is frequently done either in a single day, or even better, as a multi-day canoe or sea kayak trip So what's the catch To float from the top down requires putting in right belo...

The Behunin cabin is a great example of what early settlers in Southern Utah lived in The cabin, built by Elijah Cutler Behunin Cabin in 1883-1884 was renovated in the 1960's by the National Park Service to preserve it for future generations The cabin was only lived in for a year before the Behunin family moved to Fruita, but illustrates the simplicity of a settlers home, and the resourcefulness of settlers to make do with what was available The cabin is made with sandstone and cement plaster walls, and a wood and ...

Opened to wagon traffic in 1884 by hard working pioneers, Capitol Gorge has to be one of the better short hikes in Capitol Reef The work needed to clear the passage for early wagons must have been daunting Today the road is closed just before the narrows, with a good picnic area at the trailhead Those not wishing to hike, may still want to make the drive to the trailhead The side road from the scenic byway to the trailhead is dirt, but accessible to most vehicles, and quite scenic as it descends the upper part of t...

Buckskin Gulch is occasionally referred to as the longest slot canyon in the world I think that is a bit of a stretch, it is a big world, however Buckskin is likely one of the longest on the Colorado Plateau It is stunning, with miles of absolutely incredible slot By slot, think 10-or-so-foot-wide slot, not have-to-turn-sideways to pass slot I would put it in my short list of canyons I have done on the Plateau for scenery and overall fun factor It is amazing to me that such a long slot is relatively easy to navigat...

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 ...

The Fiery Furnace is an Entrada Sandstone maze in the heart of Arches National Park The Furnace is the place to wander in Arches National Park if you like confusing route finding, towering walls, incredible tight cracks, and almost limitless corridors to explore It is an easy place to get turned around in Though true "Not all those who wander are lost", they might well be lost in the Fiery Furnace The Park service strongly recommends participating in one of their guided tours through the Fiery Furnace before ventur...

CLOSED as of 2019: Major rockfall in 2019 has closed the exit route down to the Main Canyon This description is left up in the hopes this historic trail East Rim Trail is re-opened I don't believe the park service is currently issuing permits for this route I hope at some point they do, it is a good canyon Is Hidden Canyon a hidden gem often overlooked by Zion canyoneers No, no it is not Hidden Canyon had been far at the bottom of my list of Zion canyons to do I had never known anyone personally that had done it, a...

I think of Upper Muley Twist as the hike to do to see arches, and Lower Muley Twist as the hike to do to see undercuts This amazing hike offers views of some of the deepest alcoves and undercuts I have seen Throw in big views, an old cowboy camp, and a lot of miles and you have an excellent big day deep in the backcountry of Capitol Reef National Park At about 16 or 17 miles depending on if the last 1/2 mile of the approach road is passable, Lower Muley Twist is often done as a backpack If doing it as a backpack, t...