Conditions:Imlay Canyon (Sneak Route)-20180528202135

Latest:	26 May 2018 (7 yrs, 4 mos ago)

Reported by:	Jmarvin (23 reports)
Quality:	Amazing
Waterflow:	Deep pools
Wetsuit:	Full wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Advanced
Time:	12 hours

Team: 4 people with experience level Advanced to Expert

Trip report URL:

Comments: Start time 5:00am From Grotto to bivy spot (sneak) 3hrs 20mins Grotto to Touch down in Narrows 9hrs 23 mins Overall car to car with a lots of grab ass in the narrows 12hrs 32 min

Water Temp - Just as cold as any other narrow canyon - think Pine creek Water level - Medium/low Special challenges - First notable obstacle was the notorious log soup with large log jam; stem up and over and walk over to hard/soft start rappel. Many soft/hard start small rappels throughout. (some webbing was suspect but backed up and used with caution and/or replaced). Aiding out of two potholes were mandatory; first was a tippy toe (6ft person) or floater to hook out (three moves), second was two moves from standing in water. Guided rappel over two pits using knot at end of rope and/or pot shot. A few pack pack toss's and belly flop moves to get out. Two awkward moves out of small potholes unassisted just semi tricky at best. *note* although a few of the pot hole pre drilled notches and holes where blown out there where options to get out without issue. (water was cold but nothing serious if your not silly about it: use your advanced skills and sequencing to mitigate time in water (One down to escape at a time-use team work and common sense)

Rope we used in canyon: 4 lengths of 40' sections, 1 length 130' & 1 length of 60' worked perfectly. two sets of aiders and tallons were brought into canyon (one was utilized) two potshots for the group (one was utilized for a guided rappel across a pit) One emergency bolt kit for the group (not utilized) Emergency bivy, three emergency water filters, sam splint and basic First aid for group was brought but not needed)

Come prepared and keep moving and your in for a very fun canyon. We did not find this canyon to be especially challenging but we were also prepared and all relatively experienced and trained to anything that we came across. Keep your head about you and don' take silly risks, think of the group not just yourself and you'll be fine. If you get cold easily I would highly recommend a good fitting (no holes) wetsuit and layering possibly 7mm+. I was fine with 5mm full no gloves

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
13 Sep 2025	Great	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Normal	14 hours	4 people Intermediate	Celes (31 reports)
Comment: First time doing Imlay for all of us. We took our time did all raps together took lots of videos and pictures. The most "keeper" of potholes were only a foot below lip, since it had rained over a week ago. A couple of the guys were good climbers so no escape tools needed. No issues to report. The guys wore 5mm and were all fine. I went overkill with 2 layers of micro fleece plus thermal under my drysuit. Could have gone with just 1 layer and still be fine.
23 Aug 2025	Amazing		Thin wetsuit		12 hours	3 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (311 reports)
Comment: Another awesome run of Imlay! Truly some of the best that Zion has to offer! Keeper potholes are about as low as they get! Makes for super fun escapes! Most pools less than waist deep. 4/3 wetsuit - (wait as long as you can before putting it on, water not cold early on) 4hr approach 6.5hr canyon 1.5hr exit The Narrows is not cold, glad we took wetsuits off before last rap! Enjoyed the day at a leisurely pace!
15 Jun 2025	Great	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Advanced	15 hours	4 people Intermediate to Advanced	Mchlprk11100 (16 reports)
Comment: Water levels were low to medium. Definitely in keeper mode. The 3 major pothole problems added just the right amount of spice to an already incredible route. 1st pothole was very low and utilizing a guided rappel helped us get through fast. 2nd pothole was a swimmer. 3rd pothole we were able to stand. The smaller potholes at the 3rd to last rappel were bypassed utilizing a guided rappel as well for everyone but the first one down.
30 May 2025	Amazing		Full wetsuit		11 hours	4 people Advanced	RFontaine (311 reports)
Comment: Once again, such a fun and beautiful canyon, one of my top favs! Rappelled into the last part of upper Imlay, my new favorite way to get into this canyon. Water level dropping a bit, needed hooks once or twice, definitely dont forget them! 5/4 was comfy! Splash jacket nice to cut the breeze near the end. 11hours at a leisurely pace.
23 May 2025	Amazing	Deep pools	Thick wetsuit		12 hours	5 people Intermediate to Advanced	Gkbalcells (1 reports)
Comment: This was my first time running it, but others in my group who ran it in March of this year said the potholes have filled in with quite a bit of sand. Only used a hook to get out of the big pothole near the end, otherwise partner assisted or climbed out of all other potholes. Chilly water but group was comfy in 5-7mm wetsuits. I lost a rope in a purple rope bag in the last big pothole. It got waterlogged and sank to the bottom. If you find it please call or text me at - 4348062189! $100 reward!!
9 May 2025	Amazing		Full wetsuit		10 hours	6 people Beginner to Advanced	RFontaine (311 reports),Kirbside (98 reports)
Comment: Always incredible and full value! Top notch beauty and fun! We cut over far left at end of approach to follow a drainage down and rappelled into upper Imlay before the last 2 drops. Very worth doing! All pot holes very full and escapable without gear by mono-ing the pockets. Should still always bring a pair of hooks just in case. Water clean and comfy in a 5/4 wetsuit.
11 Oct 2024	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	10 hours	5 people Advanced	Coops (140 reports),Kirbside (98 reports),AdamOtter (73 reports)
Comment: Amazing day in Imlay. My first time doing Imlay **not** in easy mode. Water level was lowish. 2-5 feet below the lip in most cases. Most problems yielded to partner assists + hooks. One assist required one person to be underwater (water depth was ~7-8 feet) and the other person to insert a hook. One exit was made easier using the hook holes as mono pockets. One exit required a pot shot or rope bag throw. Overall quite fun if you are looking for some challenges. Anchors are in a condition they are often in in Imlay (sketchy looking bolts and sometimes odd placements due to the floor level changing as obstacles change).
2 Sep 2024	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Normal	9 hours	3 people Advanced	Sqshemet (85 reports),Kirbside (98 reports),Epeairs (74 reports)
Comment: Overall an amazing day in Imlay, as always. We took the right side approach but dropped in above the 2 potholes the left approach adds. CEM from a tree at the head of the wash was 90ish feet. Imlay is very full but water level is starting to go down slowly. No pothole challenges. Group was cozy in a mix of 5.5:3, 10:5, 7:3 wetsuits with no rain jackets. We were moving efficiently and a slower group might be more chilly. Time does not include a few hours spent in Orderville on the way out.
5 Jul 2024	Amazing					6 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (311 reports)
Comment: This canyon is an amazing journey and is currently in exquisite conditions!! We did FULL Imlay and started hiking from Lava Point at 4am. Made it to the 1st rap in 1.5hrs. Upper Imlay is just okay. After the initial large rappels (that are just meh) , there is lots of downclimbing and wash walking! There are a few neat narrows but nothing compared to lower. This section is a one and done for me (not much juice for the squeeze). I will just do sneak route going forward. Lower Imlay is INCREDIBLE. We arrived at the crossroads around 12:30. Much of the canyon is dry and the potholes are all VERY low making escapes more challenging and fun! Probably only 1 swim in the entire canyon (that I can recall) most of the keepers are so low you can walk across. We didnt even wetsuit up until near the end of the canyon at last narrows! A 4/3 wetsuit was more than sufficient at this point. We arrived at the shuttle at 8pm, last shuttle is 8:15 this time of year. I love experiencing Imlay in these conditions! Super fun mode!!
10 Jun 2024	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	14 hours	5 people Advanced	Canyon.406 (46 reports)
Comment: Was a good time. Took our sweet time with great breaks. Last section of narrows was entertaining. Didn't try to kill me. Will do again.
19 Oct 2023	Great		Thick wetsuit	Easy	11 hours	4 people Advanced to Expert	Xenonrocket (106 reports),Rbowru (54 reports)
Comment: Pothole water level was in full mode, and we didn't need to do any technical escapes. Got through the second technical section in ~1/2 the estimated time. We were wearing wetsuits with between 6-9mm on the core.
27 Aug 2023	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Easy	12 hours	3 people Intermediate to Advanced	Cheveran (95 reports)
Comment: Great fun! We escaped the heat by swimming through Imlay all day. Took right sneak route, which has obvious use trails. The approach took 4.5 h with several breaks. 5.5h in canyon, including lots of photos and a lunch break. We took our time on the exit, enjoying the Narrows and goofing around. Imlay was very full, no pothole challenges. Anchors are OK, some are showing significant wear.
7 Aug 2023	Amazing	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Advanced	14 hours	3 people Intermediate to Advanced	Canyon.406 (46 reports)
Comment: Took our very sweet time down this canyon. Was everyones first time. Took a couple long breaks. Didn't try to kill me. Will do again.
2 Jul 2023	Amazing	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit		12 hours	5 people Beginner to Advanced	RFontaine (311 reports)
Comment: One of the absolute best canyons in Zion!! (but you probably already knew that) Pot holes are all very full, only need a single hook for a few of them. (this will probably change quickly with all this heat) Water was fairly clean, much of the log soup is cleared out! I wore a 4/3 wet suit and was comfy, although I usually run warm I think. My team members all layered their suits for more substantial neoprene. I brought a 2mm shorty to layer but ended up quickly taking it off as it was too much for me. The sculpting in this canyon is gorgeous, coupled with the fun potholes and big final rap It's one of my all time favorites! 12hrs at a moderate pace with a 45min lunch break.
25 Sep 2022	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Normal	10 hours	4 people Advanced	Erek (206 reports),Kirbside (98 reports)
Comment: Canyon was in easy mode. All potholes full, no special challenges. Some pools were a little smelly. Great canyon. Time is from car start at Grotto to Zion shuttle bus. 3.5 hour approach. 0.5 hours gear up, and snack stops. 5 hours descent in canyon. 1 hour exit.

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