Conditions:Kolob Canyon-20250702193115

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Latest:

29 Jun 2025 (5 days ago)

Reported by: Stber321 (39 reports)
Quality:

Good
Waterflow:
Deep pools
Bar1.png
Wetsuit:
Thin wetsuit
Bar2.png
Water temperature:
Difficulty:
Time: Time5.png 2 days Bar5.png

Team: 2 people with experience level Intermediate

Trip report URL:

Comments: The reports that the park service will not give you a permit to exit via the MIA exit without permission from LDS church (who owns a small portion of land) are true. We tried our best to follow the instructions for requesting permission, though I didn't expect this it actually be a problem. No one answered the number on Roadtrip Ryan but got a reply from [email protected], they gave us document to fill out and send in, which we did, but they did not send anything back. The rangers immediately asked about this and insisted our document does not constitute permission as the church never returned the document signed.

Luckily, they had top down narrows permits available so we made this an overnight trip camping in Kolob creek.

We went in carrying a ton of neoprene expecting a serious class C adventure, but we found Kolob bone dry! I wore a 4/3 whilst carrying an extra thick wetsuit in my pack, but I was warm. A shorty would have sufficed under these conditions.

While it certainly would have been neat with nice flow, the actual canyon wasn't all that spectacular. This is not Illusions or Waterholes plus waterfalls. In the conditions we ran it, Birch Hollow might be cooler. Disappointing given the hype.

Still, the exit was beautiful with a big waterfall entering from the side, and we saw a couple friendly+pretty snakes while working our way down Kolob creek.

We camped a bit past the MIA on a sandy bench and witnessed 2 large rockfalls. One woke us up about 5am off the walls above our bench. The second was a large rockfall behind us into Kolob creek most of the way down towards the Virgin River. Be careful where you camp.

Some of the grass down there is really nasty if you get it in your face and have allergies - this was the crux.



All condition reports


Date Quality Waterflow Wetsuit Difficulty Time Team Reported by


Good

Deep pools
Bar1.png

Thin wetsuit
Bar2.png

Time5.png 2 days
Bar5.png
2 people
Intermediate
Stber321 (39 reports)
Comment: The reports that the park service will not give you a permit to exit via the MIA exit without permission from LDS church (who owns a small portion of land) are true. We tried our best to follow the instructions for requesting permission, though I didn't expect this it actually be a problem. No one answered the number on Roadtrip Ryan but got a reply from [email protected], they gave us document to fill out and send in, which we did, but they did not send anything back.

The rangers immediately asked about this and insisted our document does not constitute permission as the church never returned the document signed.

Luckily, they had top down narrows permits available so we made this an overnight trip camping in Kolob creek.

We went in carrying a ton of neoprene expecting a serious class C adventure, but we found Kolob bone dry! I wore a 4/3 whilst carrying an extra thick wetsuit in my pack, but I was warm. A shorty would have sufficed under these conditions.

While it certainly would have been neat with nice flow, the actual canyon wasn't all that spectacular. This is not Illusions or Waterholes plus waterfalls. In the conditions we ran it, Birch Hollow might be cooler. Disappointing given the hype.

Still, the exit was beautiful with a big waterfall entering from the side, and we saw a couple friendly+pretty snakes while working our way down Kolob creek.

We camped a bit past the MIA on a sandy bench and witnessed 2 large rockfalls. One woke us up about 5am off the walls above our bench. The second was a large rockfall behind us into Kolob creek most of the way down towards the Virgin River. Be careful where you camp.

Some of the grass down there is really nasty if you get it in your face and have allergies - this was the crux.




Amazing

Low
Bar1.png

Full wetsuit
Bar3.png

Time4.png 10 hours
Bar4.png
4 people
Intermediate to Advanced
RFontaine (287 reports)
Comment: Beautifully sculpted gorgeous slot the whole way through!

Canyon flowing lightly, probably 0.5-1 cfs. Light showers, enjoyable clean pools of water. Snow and ice in some spots throughout. The actual technical section is fairly short but very beautiful with high quality rappels! I can confirm my 155’ rope reaches comfortably for both the large drops. I wore a 5/4 and was warm enough.

Exit down Lower Kolob was equally stunning. There was an awesome large ice cave we visited on the way. More snow throughout the narrows of Lower Kolob that are gorgeous in their own right!

We exited up the Boundary sneak exit, climbing the fixed ropes at the top.

Such a fun day! We took our time and enjoyed every bit of it! 10.5hrs total at a leisurely pace.



Deep pools
Bar1.png

Full wetsuit
Bar3.png

Normal
Bar2.png

2 people
Advanced
Kirbside (98 reports)
Comment: Water was very lightly flowing




Great

Deep pools
Bar1.png

Full wetsuit
Bar3.png

Normal
Bar2.png
Time4.png 10 hours
Bar4.png
6 people
Intermediate to Advanced
Sqshemet (78 reports),Kirbside (98 reports),Epeairs (73 reports)
Comment: We went back to run Kolob a few days later as the Narrows permits were closed (no Checkerboard, Imlay, Englestead, Not Imlay, etc which were our first choices).

Time includes approach + Kolob + Boundary Sneak + Boundary + Boundary Sneak + exit.




Amazing

Deep pools
Bar1.png

Full wetsuit
Bar3.png

Normal
Bar2.png
Time4.png 9 hours
Bar4.png
3 people
Advanced
Sqshemet (78 reports),Kirbside (98 reports),Epeairs (73 reports)
Comment: Great day in Kolob. Very lightly flowing. Group was cozy and a bit hot in a mix of 5.5:3, 10:5, 7:3 wetsuits with no rain jackets. Likely 4:3 would be fine for fast groups.

If you are the climber who has left your rope hanging on the DCR wall after the first technical section of Kolob for the past 2+ years we have it. It looks like you bailed on a route (based on hardware left above the rope) and planned to get your rope back later but never got around to it. Feel free to message me with a description and I can get it back to you. Likely you don't want to use it at this point anyway.

Time includes multiple hours of weird side quests (ascending and freeing the climbing rope, trying to keep it dry) as well as exiting up Boundary and out the fixed lines.




Good

Deep pools
Bar1.png

Thin wetsuit
Bar2.png

Normal
Bar2.png
Time4.png 14 hours
Bar4.png
3 people
Intermediate to Advanced
Canyon.406 (41 reports)
Comment: Took a sneak route out of the canyon. Lots of breaks and messing around with a rattlesnake. Lower Kolob is incredible. Didn't try to kill me. Probably won't do again.




Amazing

Deep pools
Bar1.png

Thin wetsuit
Bar2.png

Normal
Bar2.png
Time4.png 12 hours
Bar4.png
2 people
Intermediate to Advanced
Thegazelle (53 reports)
Comment: MIA exit. Just a trickle for flow. Dam not releasing, flow from spillage.
  • FILE-20231009152109.jpg


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    EMoorcroft (451 reports)




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    CanditionBot (2103 reports)
    Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by Madzilla.




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    CanditionBot (2103 reports)
    Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by nhalberg.




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    CanditionBot (2103 reports)
    Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by Mountaineer.






    Candition.com (287 reports)
    Comment: Most recent conditions reported at Candition.com, see Trip Report for full details.




    Amazing




    CanditionBot (2103 reports)
    Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by jman.




    Amazing




    CanditionBot (2103 reports)
    Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by spinesnaper.




    Amazing

    Swimming
    Bar2.png

    Full wetsuit
    Bar3.png

    Normal
    Bar2.png
    Time3.png 8 hours
    Bar3.png
    2 people
    Expert
    Lucach (75 reports)


    ...additional reports