Upper Greasewood | San Rafael Swell

Canyoneering Upper Greasewood - San Rafael Swell Canyoneering Upper Greasewood

San Rafael Swell

Overview

Sun Sunny. High near 97, with temperatures falling to around 95 in the afternoon. East wind around 5 mph.
97° | 70°
Mon Sunny, with a high near 98. Southeast wind around 6 mph.
98° | 71°
Tue A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 98. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
98° | 72°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94.
94° | 69°
Thu A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
93° | 69°
RATING: 3B
SEASON: Late spring through early fall
GEAR: Standard Technical Gear, Wetsuit in all but the hottest weather.
RAPPELS: 3-4+ to 20 m ( 66 ft. ) depending on your down climbing skills
WATER: Often quite a bit.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate, but you can see the whole drainage and skies on the approach.
Sun Sunny. High near 97, with temperatures falling to around 95 in the afternoon. East wind around 5 mph.
97° | 70°
Mon Sunny, with a high near 98. Southeast wind around 6 mph.
98° | 71°
Tue A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 98. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
98° | 72°
Wed A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94.
94° | 69°
Thu A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
93° | 69°
Big Pool
Big Pool

Upper Greasewood is a great little canyon, in an easy to access, yet remote feeling part of the Swell. Its short nature makes it a good beginner canyon with competent leadership. The canyon is not a slot, but more of a V-shaped canyon with many possible exits along the way. This canyon is like Upper Three, but without the potholes. The canyon is memorable to me, because of the large number of wild burro tracks we found in between rappels. The locals were clearly trying to find what during the hot summer months!

The canyon can hold quite a bit of water after recent rains but can be mostly dry after prolonged periods without precipitation. Between the two, my preference leans toward Upper Three Canyon, but since both are close together, it is easy to do them both in a weekend trip. (or even in a day for fast motivated groups)

Looking out from near the exit point of the canyon.
Looking out from near the exit point of the canyon.

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