Subway – almost not technical but absolutely delightful. All canyons will be nicer the higher the sun is – more light (for photos) and warmth.
Yahoo Canyons Group
Subway – almost not technical but absolutely delightful. All canyons will be nicer the higher the sun is – more light (for photos) and warmth.
pofr2004
> combine it with Das Boot, or better yet, as Ram suggested a full left > fork. It was a very long day for us when we did it, but it’s really > good, especially full of water. (Ram did it differently than we did > and said we missed part of the canyon. I think you need a shuttle > car though to do it his way. We did it the Kelsey way).
Some of us used Kelsey’s approach last fall at Tom’s fest. I thought it was really scenic, with the guardian angels behind you and the maw of the left fork dropping out of sight right below you for much of the way. After crossing 2 or 3 small drainages, we entered the Left Fork about 50 yards below Wildcat Seeps, which took 2 hours 15 min from Wildcat Canyon trailhead. A very, very beautiful day.
Jeff
Eric
OK, I’ll say a little more. I am still pretty new to the sport, but my canyoneering career started in Zion and I think I’ve still done more canyons there than anywhere else, although these winter trips to North Wash are competing pretty good. Subway is nice if your a hiker, but after doing canyons, it seems really short. At least combine it with Das Boot, or better yet, as Ram suggested a full left fork. It was a very long day for us when we did it, but it’s really good, especially full of water. (Ram did it differently than we did and said we missed part of the canyon. I think you need a shuttle car though to do it his way. We did it the Kelsey way). I think we swam more than we walked. It alternates from narrow to more open, but the open sections are beautiful in their own way and filled to the brim with swimming holes.
Pine Creek and Keyhole are a great combination if you haven’t done them, but who hasn’t done them?
Many will say Kolob is the most scenic when flowing. I still liked Heaps slightly more, but Kolob is unbelievable. It is a long day too. 10(?) rappels in like a quarter mile, then it’s miles of walking on slippery rocks (much like hiking the narrows) up the MIA, and endless dirt road hiking to get out. Don’t underestimate the hike out, especially if your with a big group that’s not in the best shape of their lives. You’ll end up spending the night on the MIA like I did.
Heaps and Imlay are unforgettable if you are up to the challenge, and have highly skilled partners.
The Right Fork of North Creek is high on my to-do list. Doesn’t seem like people do it a lot, but everyone I’ve talked to that has done it says how great it is.
Englestead and out to Orderville is very, very good, and not as wet as most other canyons.
If you are into big rappels, Spry and Behunin are good choices (I haven’t done Behunin, but I have done Spry) They aren’t really slots though.
Middle Echo is a lot of fun, and the lower section is really beautiful. You can do lower Echo caver style, (illegal to rappel above Weeping Rock) a friend did it last summer and said it’s a lot of work, but worth doing once because the canyon is really good. I think there are quite a few rappels though, so it would take a lot of rope to do it caver style. Tom shared some beta about it on here once.
I’m told Mystery is good, but make sure you get a permit early, or be one of the first in line. I still haven’t done it because it’s too much of a hassle to get a permit. Full left fork can be the same way (you have to get a Subway permit). You can reserve permits online 3 months in advance, might be a good idea if you want to do popular canyons.