UT: Zion – Checkerboard Canyon

We did Checkerboard 5/19/18. Camped at the TH (BluuGnome beta) Both North Fork Rd and spur road leading to camp site were in decent condition. High clearance recommended. No 4×4 necessary (dry conditions).

Got a 5:30 am start. With a team of 4 and 3×200′ ropes leapfrogging, we completed the canyon in 13 hrs. We used the Dakota Hill ridge approach, but stayed low in the last hill section to avoid unnecessarily loss and gain of elevation.

Day temps were already in the 80’s so we took only shorty wetsuits. Only the last lower section had water. 3, 4 chest deep pools with -cold- water. We failed to put the shorties thinking that we would warm up, and we got chilled during the last 2 rappels. If someone in your group is prone to getting cold easily -> Bring a wetsuit.

We replaced one anchor in the middle section.
Bring webbing and rapides as suggested in available betas. Some anchors are ageing faster than others as they are right in the floor / water flow.

Canyon was long and beautiful. It feels like it is a “Zion Sampler”: A collection of features and atmosphere found in other Zion canyons. Well worth the effort, shuttle and early start logistics.