Latest:	13 May 2023 (25 days ago)

Reported by:	Nclegg (274 reports)
Quality:	Great
Waterflow:	Moderate High
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Special challenges
Time:	5 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Waterflow has subsided a bit since earlier this month but is still quite sporty (maybe ~3 CFS) and we took a pounding at a few rappels. Also still a risk of being swept off pour-overs if you don't protect transitions between anchors. Sliced my thumb open traversing the handline at the bottom of the upper section (sorry about all the blood). As it turns out, canyoning is harder with only one good hand. Measured the first low-angle fall in the lower section (formerly had the long handline) and it's 115' from the single bolt canyon left.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
13 May 2023	Great	Moderate High	Thin wetsuit	Special challenges	5 hours	2 people Advanced	Nclegg (274 reports)
Comment: Waterflow has subsided a bit since earlier this month but is still quite sporty (maybe ~3 CFS) and we took a pounding at a few rappels. Also still a risk of being swept off pour-overs if you don't protect transitions between anchors. Sliced my thumb open traversing the handline at the bottom of the upper section (sorry about all the blood). As it turns out, canyoning is harder with only one good hand. Measured the first low-angle fall in the lower section (formerly had the long handline) and it's 115' from the single bolt canyon left.
3 May 2023	Amazing	Very High	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	5 hours	2 people Advanced	Coalemus (148 reports)
Comment: R6 now has a (badly placed, imo) single bolt LDC and the handline is gone. This bolt is too far back from the drop and on the wrong side to allow line-of-sight to those on rope. At this flow level we needed perhaps 220' to get down to a safe spot and retrieve the rope. We only had 200' and, in an error of judgement, we set it short and attempted to downclimb a section that was too slippery to be safe. One team member sustained a minor injury upon losing control and sliding to the bottom. The lower part was intense with heavy, very pushy flow and one recirculating hydraulic that wasn't too bad to escape because it was shallow enough to get your toes on the ground. Pretty spicy day but definitely amazing.
2 May 2023	Amazing	Very High	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	5 hours	3 people Intermediate to Expert	Natureboytimflair (58 reports)
Comment: Amazing day! From fun whirlpools to manageable hydraulics to sporty pour overs! Highly recommend running this canyon right now if your comfortable in high flow (A6). Great day!
15 Apr 2023	Amazing	High	Full wetsuit		5 hours	5 people	Jec (10 reports)
Comment: Fantastic day in near optimal conditions. Flow was pushy throughout with enough spice to keep us thinking about what we were doing. No special challenges to report. We did opt to bypass the chute at the end of the upper section as the hydraulic was quite active. Water levels were up from prior week but still within comfortable range for those familiar with this canyon. Expect higher flow in the coming weeks as there is still a lot of snow on Graham.
9 Apr 2023	Amazing	Moderate High	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	5 hours	7 people Intermediate to Expert	Natureboytimflair (58 reports)
Comment: Fun day with sporty flow. The recirculating hydraulic after the big slide was in play. Water was checked for hazards before sliding was attempted. Flow was powerful and slightly challenging to escape from. 5 others in group opted to rappel instead and were provided a safety so as to no pendulem into hydraulic. Excited for the flow to increase in the coming months. Stay safe.
17 Jul 2022	Amazing	Moderate Low	None		3 hours	4 people Intermediate to Expert	RFontaine (125 reports)
Comment: A beautiful granite canyon, fun summer day in the water, perfect temps!! Flow still present but getting low. We did the 4x4 shuttle up to the top parking area. The night before we went through and installed a bolt at the lower section’s big low angle “slide” LDC. The fixed handline that was there was a dangerous eyesore and has been removed. We also added a bolt after the first pool on R10, breaking up R10 into 2 rappels rather than a 2 stage. Pull rope from the new R11 anchor station to avoid getting rope stuck in V notch. Night run took us around 6 hours with like 8 people and bolting. Morning run with 4 of us was a quick, efficient and fun 3 hours! Beta has been updated!
17 Jul 2022	Great	Moderate Low	None	Normal	3 hours	4 people Intermediate to Expert	Natureboytimflair (58 reports)

16 Jul 2022	Great	Moderate Low	None	Normal		8 people Beginner to Expert	Natureboytimflair (58 reports)

31 May 2022	Great	Low	Full wetsuit	Normal	6 hours	3 people Expert to Intermediate	MountainManWithMojo (8 reports)
Comment: We had a solid day out. A little hotter and lower water level than we wanted but we are heading into the summer! Will probably schedule a month earlier next year. Was pretty happy to have my full wet suit but could have gotten away with thinner this time of year! We loved the final swim across the resevoir! Would run again.
24 Apr 2022	Amazing	Moderate	Thin wetsuit	Special challenges	5 hours	3 people Advanced to Intermediate	RFontaine (125 reports)
Comment: Super fun canyon! Beautiful, easy to access, and an absolute must do! We drove the 4x4 trail up to the upper parking area and started there. Stock high clearance 4x4 can handle the trail with no problem. The hiking trail past the gate is obvious. We had another group ahead of us requiring us to wait quite a bit between raps. Once to the start of the middle section one of us bailed out, being too cold in his 3mm suit. (However I felt plenty comfy in my 4/3 suit) He hiked back up to the truck and drove it back down to the reservoir for us. The 2 of us continued on eventually coming across the fixed handline slide. My partner went down the slide, stopping at the end of the rope, then continuing to slide. Near the bottom he caught his foot on a small lip twisting it badly. We stopped for a bit, wrapped his ankle tight with webbing, then continued, slowly, him using me as a crutch. We debated trying exit the canyon but decided the steep hike out may do more harm so we continued. He side slid all the raps and we finished the canyon. After an X-ray, it was found that his fibula was broken just above his ankle. He has an estimated 12 week recovery time. Now, I IMPLORE YOU, please stop and think before doing any risky maneuvers such as sliding or jumping! What may seem like a straightforward, easy/fun jump or slide, can turn into a bad situation very quick! Just because others have gone before you and have been fine, doesn't necessarily mean you will be! Ask yourself: "Is it really worth the risk?" This could have all been avoided by simply rigging as a proper rappel. Lastly, even when all safety measures have been taken, always be prepared for the worst to happen. Never underestimate a canyon, no matter how "easy", accessible, or well traveled. My rating of this canyon is a general reflection of the canyon itself, not taking into account the negative experience we had half way through. As always, please enjoy with extreme care.
17 Apr 2022	Great	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	4 hours	3 people Advanced	Nclegg (274 reports)
Comment: Approach hike from the reservoir took 45min to R1. Caution is required to access many anchors due to exposure and slippery, polished rock. Rebelays would likely be necessary in high flow. Slid the final tiered waterfall in the upper section (used fixed handline LDC to climb back up and repeat slide). Bottom pool was about waist depth but with a sandy bottom and with proper technique was safe for a slide under these conditions. Comfortable in 3/2mm wetsuit and rain jacket. Neoprene gloves were a luxury but not needed. Some webbing may need replacement soon. Beautiful canyon, particularly the narrows in the lower section.
3 Apr 2022	Amazing	Moderate Low	Full wetsuit	Normal			Natureboytimflair (58 reports)
Comment: Lazy canyon day! The canyon flow was in fun waterpark mode, rappels and slides were fast and slippery. Exicited for the snow to continue to melt to increase flow, Only gonna get better. As a reminder always check the big slide pool for debris before attemping to slide! Be safe and enjoy this wonderful canyon.
26 Jun 2021	Poor	Very Low					Nclegg (274 reports)
Comment: Last rap is bone dry. No flow through the canyon.
29 May 2021	Amazing	Very Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	5 hours	4 people Beginner to Intermediate	Hillbelfi (25 reports)
Comment: Amazing day in S’mores!! Water was low but still running - easy and defined approach. Great rappels but water was too low for about half of the slides. Couple of the rappels had technical starts - ledges or getting around chalkstones. Pretty straightforward canyon! We didn’t know about the 8 mile gravel road approach that was rough on our van, so be aware!
20 Apr 2021	Amazing	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal		6 people	K arc (271 reports)
Comment: Terrific little canyon with a great pay-off. Five rapid-fire rappels, followed by a short walking section, then five more rappels. Some of the anchors in the upper section require care to access. This canyon could be much more serious in high water. We set a rope for R5 but, in these conditions, it can be slid safely without a rope. Much fun was had. Opted to skip swimming the putrid cow reservoir at the bottom by taking the trail. Dodged the semi-hostile cattle.