Upper Greasewood | San Rafael Swell

Canyoneering Upper Greasewood - San Rafael Swell Canyoneering Upper Greasewood

San Rafael Swell

Overview

Fri A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 74 in the afternoon. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
77° | 60°
Sat Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
75° | 56°
Sun Sunny, with a high near 75.
75° | 53°
Mon Sunny, with a high near 79.
79° | 55°
Tue A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
79° | 57°
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.
Fri A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 74 in the afternoon. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
77° | 60°
Sat Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
75° | 56°
Sun Sunny, with a high near 75.
75° | 53°
Mon Sunny, with a high near 79.
79° | 55°
Tue A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
79° | 57°
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.

Full Details

To help keep the riff-raff out, and encourage participation, you must login to see the details.

Login For Full Details

Registration is free and easy.

Photos

Comments