Went and did Kaleidescope aka Choprock Slot with Lanell, another guide at Zion Adventure Company. I thought it would be a good first Escalante canyon, eh?
Our schedule was to arrive at the trailhead at 1 pm, and light-pack into the first good water to bivy, then out the next day. This meant slugging bigger-than desirable packs through the canyon – ugh.
Kaleidoscope showed itself very well. Very different light in there on this schedule, and near the solstice. Lots of nice water. Got to the Riparian Ballroom just as it got dark. Camping before then would have been awful as the Cedar gnats were swarming (but they go away at night, right?). Big packs were a pain (my shoulders are sore), but only for short periods really. One logjam required swimming under with 2″ of clearance. 4/3 wetsuit was ideal. Floating the Escalante was great – warmer water and running deeper than I have done it in the past, and no flies. The hike up the hill cooled by a nice wind and some clouds, but still a grunt.
Tom