Ah, Sandthrax! What do you write as an introduction to a canyon that needs no introduction Well, first off, a little about the history of the canyon Steve Allen descended it back in the day, calling it Dog Gone Then, in 2001, an ill-fated group Shane Burrows, Hank Moon, and Chris Raver tried to descend the canyon They were stopped by the climbing crux, spent the night engineering a route out the side using bolts and free climbing, and reached the rim just about the time Search and Rescue were going to reach them Th...

Willow Springs in Red Rocks Conservation Area is a stunning natural oasis, nestled within the rugged Red Rocks landscape Willow Springs is a picturesque desert oasis, where a scattering of willow trees thrives among the springs, creating a verdant contrast to the surrounding arid environment This is a place that ancient peoples used, and left pictographs Today, several short trails traverse the area, as well as a large parking area, picnic tables and restrooms This is an excellent spot to have a picnic and do some ...

No one in my close canyoneering circles had done Drill Hole Canyon, except for one person that gave it a mediocre review of "it's ok" Armed with that less than glowing review, I decided to check it out one hot July day Perhaps it was the heat delirium talking, but I thought the canyon was gorgeous and a lot of fun! It is not as narrow or dramatic as its nearby neighbor Upper Red Breaks, but I think still charming The cross jointed nature of it makes for a very interes...

Tom Jones named Ho Hum Canyon after our descent of the canyon in December 2004 The name is harsher than it probably deserves, and I found the canyon had more charm than Tom did Compared to the nearby canyons such as White Roost, Chambers, and North Fork of Robbers Roost, Ho Hum is not as dramatic Ho Hum is short, but does have some downclimb and other challenges that make it interesting It also drops into the upper reaches of the North Fork of Robbers Roost, which I think is a delightful and beautiful section of ca...

This is a canyon that the few people that I knew to have done it had left me with the impression that it would be a dud; not worth the time or energy So, when I visited, I had fairly low expectations As often happens in life I suppose, having low expectations led me to be very pleasantly surprised! Seager's Window Canyon, though not nearly as narrow as its neighbor Seager's Hole/The Squeeze, has larger and much more ominous keeper potholes The difficult potholes are passable with interesting climbing around the sid...

Short narrows, a pictograph panel, big views, arches, and even an optional rappel or two, what more could a canyon offer Farnsworth is a charmer, and a canyon I have visited many times over the years Visiting the lower section of the canyon, through the narrows or up to the pictograph panel, offers an easy to access outing suitable for most and a good kid friendly hike For those with a bit more energy, a jaunt up to the top of the reef offers big views and three hidden arches/bridges Still not satisfied Have some t...

Englestead has one of the most dramatic starts of any canyon in Zion It goes from an open, shallow canyon to a slot in one spectacular 300' drop! I first did the canyon in 2003, and over the years had forgotten the details, except that first rappel When I went back and re-visited it in 2012, the first rappel was indeed as spectacular as I had remembered The rest of the canyon is good as well, and offers two choices of exits: a spectacular, but longer exit out the bottom of Orderville, or a shorter, less good exit u...

The Black Hole is often touted as one of the best canyon adventures around It has amazing beauty, challenging obstacles and is a lot of fun Be warned, however, flash floods have taken lives here Competent leadership is required for a safe and great adventure Several years ago the canyon flash flooded and filled with immense log jams, making it very difficult to descend After several years, these washed out, and the canyon is back to its former self Beware, though, it is a canyon that can change dramatically Many gr...

Starting at the same trailhead as the far more popular Notch Peak hike, Hell‘n Moriah Canyon seems like an overlooked gem to me The canyon is wide open at its head, but has a short and dramatic section that cuts through a limestone layer The section that cuts through the limestone is high walled, and very scenic One of the prettiest sections of canyon I have seen in the West Desert so far For hikers, you can visit most of the narrows as an out-and-back hike, which is likely how I would most recommend it Those wanti...

Upper Three Fingers is a great little canyon, in an easy to access, yet remote feeling part of the SwellIt's short nature make it a good beginner canyon Although it does have keeper potholes, beginners with teamwork should be able to overcome them The views where the canyon drops behind the reef are second to none Couple this one with Upper Greasewood or Hyde Draw or both to fill out a weekend