Conditions:Big Kahuna Canyon-20230305055146
Latest: |
4 Mar 2023 (2 yrs, 3 mos ago) |
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| Reported by: | Nclegg (413 reports) | |
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| Quality: | Great |
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| Waterflow: | Moderate High |
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| Wetsuit: | Full wetsuit |
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| Water temperature: | ||
| Difficulty: | Normal |
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| Time: |  5 hours
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Team: 2 people
Trip report URL:
Comments: About a foot of snow at the drop in for lower section. Ice within the watercourse was minimal and did not present any issues. Snowmelt had produced some appreciable flow. Webbing was in decent condition. We were comfortable in 4/3 wetsuits w/ rain jackets.
All condition reports
| Date | Quality | Waterflow | Wetsuit | Difficulty | Time | Team | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great | Moderate High
| Full wetsuit
| Normal | 5 hours
| 2 people | Nclegg (413 reports) | |
| Great | Moderate Low
| Thin wetsuit
| Special challenges | 6 hours
| 2 people Intermediate to Beginner | Cvancleve (7 reports) | |
Comment: A very cold day in Big Kahuna. My partner and I opted to skip R1 as the trail up to R2 became increasingly snowy and icy as we arrived at the confluence of the trail and the watercourse. There was enough hard-packed snow and ice on upper portions of the trail that the addition of microspikes would have increased our speed enough to warrant carrying them. There was ice in the watercourse throughout the sequence, only abating after the technical section was complete, enough to cause us to slow down and use caution as some rocks were wet and others frozen, but it was tough to tell the difference without testing each one. We each had merino wool underneath 4/3 wetsuits. 5mm+ would have been far more comfortable, but we finished with only mild discomfort. Watch out for the large pile of human shit frozen at the top of R4. (Please learn how to poop out of the watercourse) Waterflow was fun and fantastic and consisted primarily of fresh snowmelt.
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| Great | Low 
| Rain jacket
| | 6 hours
| 2 people Advanced | RFontaine (276 reports) | |
Comment: Pleasant trip. 2 people at a moderate pace.
Barnhardt Trail isn't hard and elevation gain is gradual but it feels like it takes FOREVER! Lots of other hikers on trail. Once at the main waterfall, we hiked up around the mountain, cutting over early up a gully rather than following full GPS track to do the optional big 2 stage rappel. Lots of people chilling at the bottom of the falls. We stopped here and hung out for quite awhile before continuing on. At first, rock hopping down the creek after initial rap was lack-luster, but once arriving at the next rappel the walls grow tall and the scenery really comes to life! Beautiful water falls cascading from multiple angles into deep pools, intricate layered rock everywhere. We only wore rain jackets and were comfortable. Water was cold but no where close to unbearable. This technical section was super pretty, the raps were wet and fun, even with the low flow, but it was over fairly quick. Back to rock hopping down a fairly average pretty enough drainage then up to Barnhardt Trail.
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| Good | Low
| Thin wetsuit
| Easy | 6 hours
| 2 people Advanced to Intermediate | Erek (206 reports) | |
Comment: Time is doing full (first big rappel included). Replaced webbing on rappels 2 and 3. Low flow made for easy enjoyable day cooling off in the water.
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| Good | Low
| Full wetsuit
| Normal | 7 hours
| 2 people Advanced | Nclegg (413 reports) | |
Comment: Adding the optional big rappel entailed an arduous bushwack through a thicket of manzanita and added an extra 45min to the approach. Not worth it for the single added rap IMO. Lower section of canyon is scenic and worthwhile in and of itself.
Multiple cold, deep pools and some residual ice coating rocks and plants. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vHmf_76fCL8&t=27s | |||||||
| Good | Low
| Thin wetsuit
| Normal | | 2 people Intermediate to Advanced | EMoorcroft (450 reports) | |
Comment: All anchors in good shape.
Low flow but enjoyable in thin wet suits. Still snow melting in the canyon. R1. from the top Falls was maybe worth the bushwhack. 50% said yes, 50% said no. A handful of fun downclimbs. The exit came up pretty quick after the rabbit hole and put us right on the trail.
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| Great | Moderate
| Full wetsuit
| Normal | 5 hours
| 6 people Intermediate to Expert | Erek (206 reports) | |
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| Good | Low
| None 
| Normal | 5 hours
| 5 people Brand new to Advanced | PatWinstanley (80 reports) | |
Comment: Flowing at a trickle and most were able to avoid the deep pools. The first anchor for the upper falls has one improperly placed bolt that needs to be removed - the other 2 bolts for the anchor are good. Day hikers tend to fill the hallway at the bottom of the first drop especially when it is flowing - don't throw the rope for this first drop, but bring it down with you so you don't hit them with the rope. Even when flowing good I've never seen nor heard of any dangerous hydraulic situations in the canyon.
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| Great | | | | | CanditionBot (2103 reports) | ||
| | | | | Candition.com (287 reports) | |||
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at Candition.com, see Trip Report for full details.
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| | | | | HikeArizona.com (271 reports) | |||
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at HikeArizona.com, see Trip Report for full details.
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