Kolob Canyon | Zion West Side

Canyoneering Kolob Canyon - Zion West Side Canyoneering Kolob Canyon

Zion West Side

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Overview

Fri A slight chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. South southeast wind 2 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
64° | 40°
Sat A chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
55° | 36°
Sun A chance of rain and snow showers before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 9am and noon, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
48° | 33°
Mon Snow showers likely before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
42° | 25°
Tue A chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
49° | 24°
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
Fri A slight chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. South southeast wind 2 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
64° | 40°
Sat A chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
55° | 36°
Sun A chance of rain and snow showers before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 9am and noon, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
48° | 33°
Mon Snow showers likely before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
42° | 25°
Tue A chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
49° | 24°
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 435-673-4983 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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