Latest:	4 Jul 2022 (3 yrs, 9 mos ago)

Reported by:	Kristoffer (17 reports)
Location:	Lisa Falls
Quality:	Great
Waterflow:	Moderate Low
Wetsuit:	None
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Special challenges
Time:	12 hours

Team: 4 people with experience level Beginner to Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: The canyon was spectacular and located very conveniently to SLC, but the approach for the long route is not to be underestimated. We overestimated the average skill of our group and what should have been a 5 hour adventure became a 12 hour epic.

The beta describes the approach as "frustrating and miserable". Although I thoroughly enjoyed the entire route, some group members did not like the approach. After completing 2 sections of low 5th class free climbing with moderate exposure (some team members required a fixed line and ascenders for one section, which should have been a warning to turn back), we had a large rock fall from above our position and down towards a group of bystanders at the base of the falls 400+' below. At this point one group member became nervous and wanted to bail. However we determined there was a high risk of our team dislodging rocks if we descended the approach trail so we continued on. Due to a route finding mistake, setting fixed lines for several of the scrambles, and extensive coaching for less experienced team members the approach took over 6 hours.

We had a rope become stuck on the first rappel which required ascending and rerigging, waisting another hour. At this point we were 2 hours overdue and had just begun the descent, so we decided to use webbing and quick links for all remaining drops to ensure a good rope pull. Hopefully someone will run the canyon again soon and can help remove that webbing. Sorry 😕.

We were able to use one chokstone, but all other drops were lacking usable anchors and required building cairns. Additionally some team members were uncomfortable with the water flow (although fairly low) and required coaching, so progress through th canyon was slow.

After expending the majority of our anchor materials and spending about 5 hours from the drop in, we finally arrived at the last rappel after 9pm. The bolts were present and in fair condition but our team was becoming tired, and rappelled very slowly and cautiously. By the time I finished the rap and pulled the rope it was completely dark and we bagged the ropes and exited to the cars by headlamp.

Overall this was an incredible canyon that was less than a 20 min drive to access. However, please ensure all your team members are comfortable with exposed scrambling/climbing and rappelling through water flow (preferably verify this ahead of time in a less committing canyon). Don't make our mistakes!

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
28 Mar 2026	Good	Moderate Low	None	Easy	3 hours	8 people Beginner to Expert	Plove (3 reports)
Comment: Great canyon for the proximity to the Salt Lake valley. We ascended directly up the canyon instead of going the bushwhacking route. I would highly recommend this route; the climbing was not super difficult and there was a pretty clear path to skirt around all of the steep areas. We took about 45 minutes to ascend all the way to the first rappel with our group of 8 (14 years old to 45 years old) and then took our time on the way down practicing some different techniques. Weather was great at around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Started at 11:30 AM and we were exposed to the sun almost the whole time which helped with the cold water. You could stay out of the water on almost all of the rappels if desired. There were bolted anchors for all the rappels that we used, and the bolts were in good condition. We bypassed a couple of rappels and just downclimbed instead. There was one natural anchor with webbing around a rock but our whole group bypassed this rap.
16 Jun 2024	Good	Moderate	Thin wetsuit	Special challenges	4 hours	2 people Expert to Intermediate	Ktallred (3 reports)
Comment: The river down in the main canyon is raging right now with the heat wave melting snow fast. Upper waterfalls were a little heavy. We were happy in our farmer Jane wetsuits, rain jackets, and neoprene socks. Well, one of us did not bring neoprene sock and wished she had. Great day out. 7 rappels for us. Used the drainage approach. 👍 4.5 hours car to car. We never hit anything harder and than 4th class to a that route. You can hike around the falls to the first rappel anchor and enter the drainage to scramble up from there if you want to avoid the fairly sketchy approach hike. First time doing Lisa for both of us. Skipped one ripped bolt that was there to protect the hardest downclimb.
4 Jun 2023 Trip report	Good	Moderate High	Thin wetsuit	Special challenges			Brpauff (3 reports)

4 Jul 2022	Great	Moderate Low	None	Special challenges	12 hours	4 people Beginner to Advanced	Kristoffer (17 reports)
Comment: The canyon was spectacular and located very conveniently to SLC, but the approach for the long route is not to be underestimated. We overestimated the average skill of our group and what should have been a 5 hour adventure became a 12 hour epic. The beta describes the approach as "frustrating and miserable". Although I thoroughly enjoyed the entire route, some group members did not like the approach. After completing 2 sections of low 5th class free climbing with moderate exposure (some team members required a fixed line and ascenders for one section, which should have been a warning to turn back), we had a large rock fall from above our position and down towards a group of bystanders at the base of the falls 400+' below. At this point one group member became nervous and wanted to bail. However we determined there was a high risk of our team dislodging rocks if we descended the approach trail so we continued on. Due to a route finding mistake, setting fixed lines for several of the scrambles, and extensive coaching for less experienced team members the approach took over 6 hours. We had a rope become stuck on the first rappel which required ascending and rerigging, waisting another hour. At this point we were 2 hours overdue and had just begun the descent, so we decided to use webbing and quick links for all remaining drops to ensure a good rope pull. Hopefully someone will run the canyon again soon and can help remove that webbing. Sorry 😕. We were able to use one chokstone, but all other drops were lacking usable anchors and required building cairns. Additionally some team members were uncomfortable with the water flow (although fairly low) and required coaching, so progress through th canyon was slow. After expending the majority of our anchor materials and spending about 5 hours from the drop in, we finally arrived at the last rappel after 9pm. The bolts were present and in fair condition but our team was becoming tired, and rappelled very slowly and cautiously. By the time I finished the rap and pulled the rope it was completely dark and we bagged the ropes and exited to the cars by headlamp. Overall this was an incredible canyon that was less than a 20 min drive to access. However, please ensure all your team members are comfortable with exposed scrambling/climbing and rappelling through water flow (preferably verify this ahead of time in a less committing canyon). Don't make our mistakes!
13 Aug 2017	Amazing	Moderate Low	None	Special challenges	4 hours	3 people Intermediate	Smilingtoad (1 reports)