Conditions:Upper Knowles Canyon-20250515045557
Latest: |
12 May 2025 (1 month ago) |
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| Reported by: | Iralewis (13 reports) | |
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| Quality: | Ok |
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| Waterflow: | Very Low |
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| Wetsuit: | ||
| Water temperature: | ||
| Difficulty: | Normal |
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| Time: |  4 hours
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Team: 2 people with experience level Advanced to Expert
Trip report URL:
Comments: We skipped the Two Stage Alcove Rappel and only did the downclimbs in the first narrows. Approach: 1hr10min Descent: 30min Return: 2hr15min Total: 4hrs
It's a long hike for a 250ft long series of downclimbs, but it's a good series of nicely challenging downclimbs. There were 4-6 separate substantial downclimb sections between places to stand (not 200). The last chockstone provided a good anchor for a 25ft rappel to manage the final belled-out chamber. We landed with dry feet but then waded through spring muddy water not more than knee deep.
The views of the Two Stage Alcove Rappel are great. The hike up valley went and is an obvious elk game trail up a dirt slope to the ridge above. We skipped the longer rappel near to the cars and just hiked the trail back to intersect and retrace the approach.
All condition reports
| Date | Quality | Waterflow | Wetsuit | Difficulty | Time | Team | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ok | Very Low
| | Normal | 4 hours
| 2 people Advanced to Expert | Iralewis (13 reports) | |
Comment: We skipped the Two Stage Alcove Rappel and only did the downclimbs in the first narrows.
Approach: 1hr10min Descent: 30min Return: 2hr15min Total: 4hrs It's a long hike for a 250ft long series of downclimbs, but it's a good series of nicely challenging downclimbs. There were 4-6 separate substantial downclimb sections between places to stand (not 200). The last chockstone provided a good anchor for a 25ft rappel to manage the final belled-out chamber. We landed with dry feet but then waded through spring muddy water not more than knee deep. The views of the Two Stage Alcove Rappel are great. The hike up valley went and is an obvious elk game trail up a dirt slope to the ridge above. We skipped the longer rappel near to the cars and just hiked the trail back to intersect and retrace the approach.
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| Ok | | None 
| Normal |  6 hours
| 2 people Intermediate to Advanced | Blueshade (55 reports) | |
Comment: Ok, first, let's be real- this canyon has a long series of DCs at the beginning, maybe 200'ish. At least one is moderately spicey and the final DC opens up a bit. It will likely lead to at least about a 1ft drop and a scratched back. Likely better to get a short piece of rope for the.fiest person and then partner assist the rest.
The rap is of no significant interest and is a pretty long day if that isnyour reason for going. The alcove immediately L and below the rap is kind of unique, but otherwise not interesting. We managed an escape out the side to avoid the lower hiking and narrows, but this is very much not recommended. I SEE NO REASON WHATSOEVER to carry a 230-300' rope for this supposed rap above the cars. Hiking back to the trail adds a pretty small amount of distance to avoid carrying a big piece of rope. The beta in the section after the rap made no sense to us for what we saw/did, but I'm making no attempt to correct what they were trying to say. We did it in 6:15 car to car with me on a bad knee. Regardless, it's a pretty long hike and drive for pretty minimal canyon.
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