Conditions:Chiquito Spring Canyon-20191223174739

Latest:	18 Dec 2019 (5 yrs, 4 mos ago)

Reported by:	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Quality:	Good
Waterflow:	Very Low
Wetsuit:	None
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Special challenges
Time:	8 hours

Team: 1 people

Trip report URL:

Comments: I road my MTB down, trimmed the poison oak and other annoying brush in the canyon, then explored a side canyon up to the 2797 peak adjacent (SSE 1/4 mile) to Tanriverdi falls (160 footer in Salamander Canyon) to see if that way makes sense for an exit. It could work, but I think a path along the ridge top would be more useful.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
13 Mar 2020	Good	Very Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	7 hours	4 people	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Comment: Time included running Salamander Canyon too. The flow was quite low, and thus water flow was intermittent throughout the canyon. We did see a few salamanders (see pic). My previous pruning paid off as travel was easy, with only a few spots where we trimmed PO back a bit more. Since it was drizzling and the pools were full being in full body wetsuits was comfortable, and not too hot.
18 Dec 2019	Good	Very Low	None	Special challenges	8 hours	1 people	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Comment: I road my MTB down, trimmed the poison oak and other annoying brush in the canyon, then explored a side canyon up to the 2797 peak adjacent (SSE 1/4 mile) to Tanriverdi falls (160 footer in Salamander Canyon) to see if that way makes sense for an exit. It could work, but I think a path along the ridge top would be more useful.
14 Dec 2019	Good	Very Low	None	Special challenges	2 hours	2 people	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Comment: Time is only to climb the canyon from Hot Springs junction to San Juan trail. The upper part has more more brush issues including poison oak in the way. I carefully removed some of the poison oak (special challenges). Otherwise, the small amount of water flow and the fall colors were nice.
13 Apr 2019	Great	Low	None	Normal	2 hours	4 people	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Comment: We used Chiquito for a Salamander Canyon exit. The water flow is still amazingly high (see picture)!
3 Mar 2019	Amazing						ARosen (20 reports)
Comment: Hiked to the falls from the San Juan loop trailhead. The junction of the San Juan and Chiquito Springs trails is under 2-3 feet of water that must be crossed. The falls are flowing strongly, with more water than in the last trip report photo. This is an extraordinary amount of water for a seasonal waterfall.
21 Feb 2019	Amazing	Moderate	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	3 hours	2 people	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Comment: Time was just to climb up Chiquito and the trail from the junction as we used it for a Salamander exit. This canyon rarely gets this kind of water flow, giving it an awesome feel and beauty. It also started sleeting heavily while we where about half way up, and by the time we got to the trail back to Blue Jay, there was 2 to 4 inches of snow and sleet on the ground.
27 Dec 2018	Good	Very Low	None	Normal	8 hours	1 people	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Comment: MTB ride approach (15 minutes) and exit (30 minutes) from the outside Blue Jay parking lot (government closure; gate locked to campground), spent 6 hours improving pruning in canyon, especially the thickest poison oak on the 2 bigger climbs. It's now only 45 minute hike from pool above 30 foot fall to the old truck frame. Canyon is super cruiser hiking it!
19 Feb 2018	Good	Very Low	None	Special challenges	9 hours	1 people	Willie92708 (997 reports)
Comment: This maiden voyage involved 6 hours of pruning limbs (special challenges) to make a path down this 1.5 mile canyon. The work paid off as climbing back up only took 1:40 hours, and with MTB waiting, my car only 2:10 total return time. Even though my primary goal was establish this route for a non-shuttle Salamander Canyon trip, this canyon is actually quite nice by itself.