Just about a year after last year’s trip, I had some family come and visit me looking for some adventure. So I made a return to this canyon with my brother-in-law in tow, as well as with some friends who had been wanting to do this since last year. This return trip featured water MUCH higher than last time, creating a nerve racking situation in the crux of the gorge. The crux move involved dropping from a shelf, onto a boulder, smearing over the side of that boulder and dropping down to another, all right next to a raging waterfall and in the bottom of a tight gorge. It was awkward and required concentration but everyone nailed it perfectly, especially with the help of some webbing that we set up. All in all, a great time in a great place with great folks. Estimate the flow was about 50 cfs? Maybe a touch more? Fun, but don’t think I’d like to do it any higher. Total time was about 5 hours.
(This is an abbreviated report, a full write-up can be found on my website.)
Comparison Shot from last year’s low water to this year’s high water. Last year you could crawl behind and hang out in this waterfall. This year the waterfall would’ve chundered you hard.
hiking
swimming
floating
beautiful canyon though
pool above the crux section
falls before the crux moves
sorting out how we were going to move through
the narrows we come out of. no pictures here, mandatory swim below the crux
scenic side stream falls
big falls, think my kayaker friends would have liked this today
nice jump below the falls. the cauldron at the base looked just too strong….