Kolob Canyon | Zion West Side

Canyoneering Kolob Canyon - Zion West Side Canyoneering Kolob Canyon

Zion West Side

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Overview

Tue Mostly sunny. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 52 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
59° | na°
Wed Sunny. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 52 in the afternoon. East northeast wind around 2 mph.
60° | 35°
Thu Sunny, with a high near 57. Southeast wind 1 to 6 mph.
57° | 35°
Fri A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
51° | 34°
Sat Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8am, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain between 11am and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
45° | 34°
View Full Forecast
RATING: 3C
CFS RANGE: 0 - 5
SEASON: Late Spring, Summer, Fall
RAPPELS: 13 to 50 m ( 165 ft. )
WATER: Flowing, heavy wetsuit required (5mm+)
FLASHFLOOD: High
Tue Mostly sunny. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 52 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
59° | na°
Wed Sunny. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 52 in the afternoon. East northeast wind around 2 mph.
60° | 35°
Thu Sunny, with a high near 57. Southeast wind 1 to 6 mph.
57° | 35°
Fri A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
51° | 34°
Sat Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8am, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain between 11am and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
45° | 34°
View Full Forecast
canyonwetsuit neededadvancedaccess: 2wd
Getting SOAKED early in Kolob - Unkown Canyoneer
Getting SOAKED early in Kolob - Unkown Canyoneer
Kolob Rappel
Kolob Rappel
Kolob is a very different animal than most other canyons on the Colorado Plateau. Except in fairly rare circumstances, it is a flowing water canyon, and can be extremely dangerous or deadly with higher flows! Call the Washington County Water Conservancy District at 435-673-3617 to find out the release rate for Kolob Reservoir, and if it is planning on being increased or decreased by the date of your trip. At 3CFS, it is fairly intense and requires good flowing water canyon experience. At 5+ it would extremely dangerous, stay out!

ACCESS ISSUE: Permission is required to use the MIA Exit before getting a permit from the Zion Backcountry Desk. The land is privately owned. Call 435.586.1182, prompt #2 to obtain permission​.

OK, with the warning out of the way, Kolob is an amazing canyon. It is intense, flowing, and beautiful. Skilled canyoneers only for this one, it is no place for beginners or intermediates. The water is bitter cold, so a full wetsuit is required. I like a 2 piece 5mm, but if you are not cold tolerant, a 7mm suit may be prudent. Once you start, you will be in the water for several hours with no real respite. In 1993 two boyscout leaders were killed, and the rest of the group stranded for 5 days waiting for rescue. They attempted the canyon at an astounding 29CFS.

Cristina getting ready to rappel
Cristina getting ready to rappel
One of the short drops - Kolob
One of the short drops - Kolob

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Kolob Video

By: GreenRap2

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