Monoxide, or Dragon as we called it when we did it Thanksgiving 2003, reminds me that a 2-star canyon can still leave a lasting impression A couple of new friends of mine at the time Kent Beverly and Penny Martens invited me to join up with them for Thanksgiving weekend in Hanksville to do canyons This canyon was the first project of the weekend We spent a very cold, blustery day in both forks of the canyon, rim walking each side before finally dropping in When I re-visited the canyon recently, I was surprised at h...

Herm Pollock Slot is an interesting, short slot canyon with a big approach! The canyon is unique in that I have never seen such a slot so completely sand-floored It is like a day at the beach! A couple of notes about this outing First, it is a bit of an approach requiring some route finding for a short section of technical slot canyon If you are an adrenaline-fueled canyoneer looking for a hardcore adventure, pass on this one If you like a long amble in the desert punctuated by a bit of technical slot, this is a lo...

Little Mountain was the last obstacle the early pioneers faced on their route to the Salt Lake Valley The trail was first developed in 1846 by the ill-fated Donner Party, and later heavily travelled by Mormon pioneers Today, a paved road makes an easy passage over the pass From the pass, the summit of Little Mountain north along the ridgeline The summit is not particularly scenic but easy access and sun exposure make it easily accessible in the shoulder seasons when the higher mountains are still snow packed This i...

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 ...

Orderville is second only to the Narrows in my mind as far as adventurous and stunning canyon hikes in Zion Though the upper 1/2 of this hike is open, and can be hot and dry, the second half is deep, dark, and sublime in its beauty Its charm is not without obstacles, however, as cold water and a few drops add some spice to the day Many people do Orderville without a wetsuit I cannot stress enough the value of a wetsuit in all but the very hottest 100+ degree weather, and even then, you will be cold without one The ...

St George was founded in 1861 by the Mormon church, under the direction of Erastus Snow The settlement, initially, was meant to produce cotton As the early pioneers settled the area, they left their marks on the country both in the naming of places, as well as literal marks Snow Canyon is named after Erastus Snow This short trail visits an overhang near the main park road that has several pioneer names painted on the rock with axle grease from the late 1800s and early 1900s Though a short hike, I enjoyed the histor...

The Golden Cathedral is THE iconic photo of the Grand Staircase-Escalante area This is the place you've seen in books, calendars, and posters It is a stunning natural bridge in lower Neon Canyon that will take your breath away! For canyoneers, see the Neon Canyon for doing the canyon as a technical canyoneering adventure Hikers will find this a lovely amble from Egypt Bench, down to the Escalante River, and then a short hike up Neon Canyon to the Golden Cathedral prope...

Just south of the small town of Caliente in the southeast side of Nevada is Rainbow Canyon The canyon has towering walls and is beautiful In addition to its natural beauty, the canyon has a long and varied history There are several rock art sites along the canyon, as well as more modern ranches, a railroad, a state park, and a historic schoolhouse This is a place that still feels wild and remote! The road is paved, but has rough spots and is prone to flooding I visited in the winter and had a couple of sections of ...

Defiance House, named for three large warrior figures painted above a Puebloan ruin, is one of the most popular ruins on Lake Powell to visit It offers one of the most accessible and interesting ruins on the lake, be sure not to miss them if in the area The ruins date back to about 1250AD and are of the Ancestral Puebloan culture They were studied and officially mapped in 1959 by the University of Utah, just prior to Glen Canyon Dam being built Fortunately, the ruins are above high water mark and have been preserve...

Pleiades is a very different beast than any other canyoneering adventure in southeast Utah I know of It flows most of the time, and is spring fed, so the water is cold The canyon, with its seven waterfalls is filled with extraordinary beauty and charm With a short approach and short exit, this is one not to be missed by canyoneers that are comfortable in flowing water canyons