Conditions:Emerald Canyon-20231127185322

Latest:	23 Nov 2023 (1 yr, 5 mos ago)

Reported by:	Kylenedd (3 reports)
Quality:	Amazing
Waterflow:	Moderate Low
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	6 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: My wife and I recently completed Emerald Canyon on Maui. The canyon was spectacular, but I wanted to share our experience to possibly get insights from local canyoneers about access issues, localism, and protecting the watershed.

We chose Thanksgiving Day for our trip, anticipating less traffic and hoping to have the canyon to ourselves. We arrived first at the pullout. Another couple arrived as we were preparing to leave. Trying to be friendly, I asked if they too were headed up to Emerald. The man's expression changed from friendly to more stoic and he said something to the effect of "I don't know anything about that” seeming to suggest that we shouldn't be talking about it.

We had rented a Nissan sedan, a common rental car on the island, while the other couple, presumably locals, arrived in a van with body damage. They quickly set off on foot towards the canyon, but without any technical gear, bypassing a gate with a “No Trespassing” sign. We followed, justifying our passage due to past experiences of crossing private land to access public areas.

The canyon itself was impressive. We appreciated having a longer rope (200’) for convenience during a few rappels. We exercised caution with jumps and slides, using an aid climbing hook for one slide and a meat anchor for another we were unable to scout.

After exploring the upper canyon, we returned to our car. Another local, obvious from her vehicle, parked and approached us. She asked if we were “rappellers” and whether we had decontaminated our gear with rubbing alcohol. This interaction raised our awareness about potential contamination issues, especially considering the canyon's infrastructure we passed on the way down might be linked to local water use.

As we left, we noticed a hand-written “Locals Only” sign near Lower Emerald Canyon exit along with some other information that we drove past too quickly to read (East of where we parked, so we did not see on the way in). Unfortunately, the sign must be new as it is absent from the most recent Google Street View, so I can’t say what it said. Both of our interactions with locals along with the signage at the entry and exit suggest maybe more information is needed before undertaking this canyon as a visitor to Maui. The local concerns about water contamination or even just over-tourism of a local resource merit consideration from contentious visitors. I would appreciate any additional local knowledge anyone can offer and urge future visitors to consider their impact before visiting this canyon.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
23 Nov 2023	Amazing	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	6 hours	2 people Advanced	Kylenedd (3 reports)
Comment: My wife and I recently completed Emerald Canyon on Maui. The canyon was spectacular, but I wanted to share our experience to possibly get insights from local canyoneers about access issues, localism, and protecting the watershed. We chose Thanksgiving Day for our trip, anticipating less traffic and hoping to have the canyon to ourselves. We arrived first at the pullout. Another couple arrived as we were preparing to leave. Trying to be friendly, I asked if they too were headed up to Emerald. The man's expression changed from friendly to more stoic and he said something to the effect of "I don't know anything about that” seeming to suggest that we shouldn't be talking about it. We had rented a Nissan sedan, a common rental car on the island, while the other couple, presumably locals, arrived in a van with body damage. They quickly set off on foot towards the canyon, but without any technical gear, bypassing a gate with a “No Trespassing” sign. We followed, justifying our passage due to past experiences of crossing private land to access public areas. The canyon itself was impressive. We appreciated having a longer rope (200’) for convenience during a few rappels. We exercised caution with jumps and slides, using an aid climbing hook for one slide and a meat anchor for another we were unable to scout. After exploring the upper canyon, we returned to our car. Another local, obvious from her vehicle, parked and approached us. She asked if we were “rappellers” and whether we had decontaminated our gear with rubbing alcohol. This interaction raised our awareness about potential contamination issues, especially considering the canyon's infrastructure we passed on the way down might be linked to local water use. As we left, we noticed a hand-written “Locals Only” sign near Lower Emerald Canyon exit along with some other information that we drove past too quickly to read (East of where we parked, so we did not see on the way in). Unfortunately, the sign must be new as it is absent from the most recent Google Street View, so I can’t say what it said. Both of our interactions with locals along with the signage at the entry and exit suggest maybe more information is needed before undertaking this canyon as a visitor to Maui. The local concerns about water contamination or even just over-tourism of a local resource merit consideration from contentious visitors. I would appreciate any additional local knowledge anyone can offer and urge future visitors to consider their impact before visiting this canyon.
27 Apr 2018	Amazing	Moderate High	Full wetsuit	Normal	8 hours	4 people Beginner to Advanced	DerekSch (8 reports)
Comment: This was an amazing trip. Tim Whalen gave us some solid tips for running this canyon. The approach was stunning once you start the bushwhack section. There were many deep pools and long swimmers. The raps are set so you can rappel in or out of the flow. My best guess on flow was 12-16 cfs. This canyon was actually pretty cold and we all wore rain jackets over our suits. The air temp was 75 and partly cloudy. If you have never ran this canyon you will most likely need GPS to locate the drop in.