Blue John Canyon | Robbers Roost

Canyoneering Blue John Canyon - Robbers Roost Canyoneering Blue John Canyon

Robbers Roost

Overview

RATING: 3A

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 43. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

43 | 27

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 26

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 25

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 34.

34 | 19

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

35 | 18

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SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall (hot in summer)
GEAR: Standard Technical Gear, The east fork can hold water after rain to waist deep or deeper. Beware of this if doing it in colder times of the year.
RAPPELS: West Fork - 0, Main Fork - 0, but a 10 m ( 33 ft. ) rope is handy for belaying, East Fork - 2 to 15 m ( 50 ft. ), Squeeze Fork - 2 to 8 m ( 27 ft. ), Little Blue John - 2 to 25 m ( 83 ft. ). Full Blue John ends with a 25 m ( 83 ft. ) rappel
WATER: Generally little or none unless right after rains. Possibly wading, but likely little swimming.
FLASHFLOOD: High

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 43. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

43 | 27

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 26

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 25

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 34.

34 | 19

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

35 | 18

View Full Weather Details
Blue John Arch

Blue John Arch

Aaron Ralston made Blue John Canyon famous. He became trapped there in May of 2003 when a rock shifted and pinned his arm in the lower section. Five days after becoming trapped, he amputated his arm with a small knife and freed himself.

The canyon complex itself is many people's first canyon experiences, and for good reason. The different forks of Blue John offer different challenges and scenery but are very accessible to beginning canyoneers. Several options are available for combining the forks, depending on time available and motivation. My most recommended route for those with a little climbing ability is down the East Fork and up the Main Fork. For those unsure of their climbing ability, Little Blue John is great and allows exploring the main fork as far a ability allows, then returning via the short Little Blue exit.

Full Blue John, from the top down and out The Great Galley is one of my favorites. It is long and feels like an accomplishment, with a stunning slot section. The final section that Aaron got stuck in is dark and dramatic. To me, it is the most beautiful part of Blue John Canyon. The hike out passes world-class rock art panels, see The Great Gallery write-up for more information. The length, however, makes this one that is not commonly done and requires a fit and reasonably fast group with two cars.

Mini Tower

Mini Tower

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Videos

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Less than 127 Hours (e.g Hiking Blue John Canyon) By Christy M.

By: ryancornia

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Squeeze Fork 2017

By: sloganho

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Blue John East & Main fork loop

By: richardpattison

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