Conditions:Baker Canyon (West Fork)-20260529021202

Latest:	24 May 2026 (5 days ago)

Reported by:	RFontaine (371 reports)
Location:	Baker Canyon (West Fork)
Quality:	Good
Waterflow:
Wetsuit:	None
Water temperature:
Difficulty:
Time:	7 hours

Team: 6 people with experience level Intermediate to Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Decent worthwhile canyon if in the area.

We descended Baker West as a part of a multiday backpacking trip down to the Escalante.

We took the B-line approach in from the trailhead and set up camp across the river from Neon's drainage. It took us 1.5hr to hike down to our campsite. After descending Ringtail/Neon day 1 and Choprock day 2, day 3 we set our sights on Baker West!

We followed the Ring Tail approach halfway along the slickrock bench before veering off onto the “shortcut” route. Approach took us 1.5hrs

Baker was neat! I didnt have much info on it but we really enjoyed it. There are some upclimbs and down climbs that take some thought and care especially if you dont fit into tight places. There was maybe one brief swim, and multiple wades. No keepers. We didnt need our wetsuits, it was very warm and plenty of sun around every corner. We explored up East Baker too, definitely will have to come back to drop that fork.

Just before reaching the river there is a turn off to the right that takes you on a cattle trail. These cattle trails are pretty beat down and mostly easy to follow with minimal bushwhacking as they meander back and forth crossing the river. Exit took us 1.5hrs to camp.

Baker West took us 7 hours total.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
24 May 2026	Good		None		7 hours	6 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (371 reports)
Comment: Decent worthwhile canyon if in the area. We descended Baker West as a part of a multiday backpacking trip down to the Escalante. We took the B-line approach in from the trailhead and set up camp across the river from Neon's drainage. It took us 1.5hr to hike down to our campsite. After descending Ringtail/Neon day 1 and Choprock day 2, day 3 we set our sights on Baker West! We followed the Ring Tail approach halfway along the slickrock bench before veering off onto the “shortcut” route. Approach took us 1.5hrs Baker was neat! I didnt have much info on it but we really enjoyed it. There are some upclimbs and down climbs that take some thought and care especially if you dont fit into tight places. There was maybe one brief swim, and multiple wades. No keepers. We didnt need our wetsuits, it was very warm and plenty of sun around every corner. We explored up East Baker too, definitely will have to come back to drop that fork. Just before reaching the river there is a turn off to the right that takes you on a cattle trail. These cattle trails are pretty beat down and mostly easy to follow with minimal bushwhacking as they meander back and forth crossing the river. Exit took us 1.5hrs to camp. Baker West took us 7 hours total.
2 Sep 2019	Great	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	4 hours	5 people Intermediate to Expert	Reeves (37 reports)
Comment: Spectacular canyon. A few partner assists required the first person to make a difficult squeeze or downclimb, but aside from that no special challenges. As always, logjams are not necessarily stable!
26 May 2019	Good	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	11 hours	9 people Beginner to Expert	Xenonrocket (112 reports)
Comment: 11 hours from Neon canyon to Neon canyon. First rap/pool was jumpable, used a meat anchor to send someone down to check depth. One squeeze that required removing harnesses, or a partner assist to get a grip to climb over, just after the last rappel in the West Fork. A lot of beta doesn't mention it, but lots of fun stuff after the confluence with the East fork as well.
14 Jun 2016 Trip report							Candition.com (287 reports)
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at Candition.com, see Trip Report for full details.