It looks like it’s been an extremely dry monsoon season for the Grand Canyon. KGCN Airport got 1.5″ of total rain from July to September, compared to 6″ in an average year: https://www.wunderground.com/history/monthly/us/az/grand-canyon/KGCN
Does anyone know what that means for pothole water, or have any other information about water? Specifically, is there likely to be any water in Redwall slots? And is there any chance of water in the Esplanade potholes (in the western GC)?
Canyonero
There’s always water at the very bottom of the canyons.
Just strain it with your teeth.
ratagonia
AWESOME!
Tnugent
No need for a wetsuit, did not get our feet wet. Did not use one on the float down to Lava.
Scott Patterson
I’d would guess that there is close to a zero percent chance of water in any of the Esplanade potholes anywhere in the park.
ratagonia
Just back from Tuckup / Hades Knoll Canyon. Water is sparse, but there is a little bit there. But not on the Esplanade. Over 3 days we found 3 places to get water, all in the Redwall, and not near the top.
We found it wise to increase our water-carrying capacity by putting water in (brand new) clean drybags in order to camp a mile from our water source. Please be aware that drybags are not designed for carrying that much weight. We put 4-5 quarts in 24 liter drybags.
Tom
Michael W
Thanks for the information, everyone. Tom and Tnugent, did you end up wanting wetsuits in Cove or Hades Knoll?
Tom, you don’t seem like the type to mix units like that 😉
ratagonia
No Wetsuits. Heck, the bit of water we waded through felt real niiiiice…
I am an engineer, not a scientist. Quart, Liter… they are interchangeable.
Tom
Tnugent
Just returned from a 3 day trip down Cove. Almost all of the springs are dry. Found 3 spots for filterable water otherwise all potholes were empty.
Heading out to 150 mile Olo loop this weekend, can update when we return