Canyon and Trail Conditions

Canyon Conditions

Spring

• Daytime temperature will increase but canyon and water temperature will remain cold.
• Rise in water levels and flooding will occur. Fast-moving water is common during snowmelt. Water levels can change from day to day, even hour to hour. High water can last from March into June.
• Anchors may be unreachable or submerged in swift water.
• Rain can create flash floods. Flash flood events are very dangerous and slot canyon travel can be life threatening. Check weather conditions frequently. If there is any doubt about conditions, please stay out of slot canyons.
• Snow and ice are common in many slot canyons into June.
• Long swims in frigid and fast-moving water are possible. Thick wetsuits and drysuits are usually necessary.
• Individuals should have strong skills, good judgment, and proper equipment to protect themselves from the cold, swift water and ever-changing canyon conditions.

Summer

• Daytime temperatures can exceed 100 degrees. However, slot canyons will be exposed to little or no sun. Water and air temperatures often remain cold.
• Monsoonal rains and thunderstorms can create flash floods. Flash flood events are very dangerous and slot canyon travel can be life threatening. Check weather conditions frequently. If there is any doubt about conditions, please stay out of slot canyons.
• Snow and ice may still be present in early summer.
• Pools of cold water and swims are possible all year in most canyons. Wetsuits and drysuits may still be necessary.
• Individuals should have strong skills, good judgment, and proper equipment to protect themselves from the water and ever-changing canyon conditions.

Fall

• Daytime temperatures can vary greatly. Slot canyons will be exposed to little or no sun. Water and air temperatures often remain cold and do drop below freezing.
• Rain can create flash floods. Flash flood events are very dangerous and slot canyon travel can be life threatening. Check weather conditions frequently. If there is any doubt about conditions, please stay out of slot canyons.
• Pools of cold water and swims are possible all year in most canyons. By mid-October, wetsuits or drysuits are usually necessary.
• Individuals should have strong skills, good judgment, and proper equipment to protect themselves from the water and ever-changing canyon conditions.

Winter

• Daytime temperatures are often below freezing with ice and snow possible.
• Rain can create flash floods. Flash flood events are very dangerous and slot canyon travel can be life threatening. Check weather conditions frequently. If there is any doubt about conditions, please stay out of slot canyons.
• Snow and ice are common in most slot canyons and can block entry and exit to canyons. Anchors can be frozen or snow covered.
• Long swims in frigid ice-filled water are possible. Thick wetsuits and drysuits are necessary.
• Individuals should have strong skills, good judgment, and proper equipment to protect themselves from the frigid water and ever-changing canyon conditions.
• Many canyons may be inaccessible due to snow and ice on trails.

 

Kolob Canyons

Trail	Condition
La Verkin Creek	Lee Pass-Park Boundary (11.1 miles) Lee Pass – Kolob Arch (7 miles)
3/26/12	Trail is mostly snow free. Expect some muddy conditions. Stream flow will be higher than normal for crossings. Make sure to check current weather conditions.

Trail	Condition
Hop Valley	Hop Valley Trailhead – La Verkin Creek (6.7 miles)
3/26/12	Very muddy with numerous stream crossings.

West Rim

Trail	Condition
Connector	Hop Valley Trailhead – Wildcat Trail (4 miles)
3/26/12	Expect snow in sections. Fresh snowfall on 2/25/12. Expect some muddy conditions. Always carry a good map with you and know to read it to make sure that you stay on the trail.

Trail	Condition
Wildcat	Wildcat Trailhead– West Rim Trail (5.8 miles)
3/26/12	Expect snow in sections. Fresh snowfall on 3/25/12. Expect muddy conditions. Always carry a good map with you and know how read it to make sure that you stay on the trail.

Trail	Condition
West Rim	Lava Point – The Grotto (14 miles)
3/26/12	Expect snow in sections. Fresh snowfall on 3/25/12. Other parts of the trail will be snow free but wet/muddy. Lava Point remains closed with snow pack.

Trail	Condition
Telephone Canyon	West Rim Trail – West Rim Trail (1.8 miles)
3/26/12	Expect snow in sections. Fresh snowfall on 3/25/12. Other parts of the trail will be snow free but wet/muddy.

East Rim

Trail	Condition
East Mesa	East Mesa Trailhead – Observation Point Trail (2.5 miles)
3/6/12	Road will be difficult if not impossible to use to access the trailhead. High clearance 4 wheel drive necessary with snowy conditions. Trail will be snow packed.

Trail	Condition
East Rim	East Entrance – Weeping Rock (10 miles)
3/26/12	Mostly snow free. Expect some muddy conditions.

Trail	Condition
Cable Mountain	East Rim Trail – Cable Mountain (2.7 miles)
3/26/12	Mostly snow free. Expect some muddy conditions.

Trail	Condition
Deertrap Mountain	East Rim Trail – Deertrap Mountain (3.2 miles)
3/26/12	Mostly snow free. Expect some muddy conditions.

Southwest Desert

Trail	Condition
Chinle	Chinle Trailhead – Coal Pits Wash (8.1 miles)
3/26/12	Watch out for Cryptobiotic soil and stick to the trail! Trail is clear and dry.

Trail	Condition
Coalpits Wash	Coal Pits Trailhead – Chinle Trail (3.6 miles)
3/26/12	Watch out for Cryptobiotic soil and stick to the trail! Trail has some muddy sections and water crossings. Stream is flowing in the spring.

Trail	Condition
Lower Right Fork	Right Fork Trailhead - Double Falls
3/6/12	Watch out for Cryptobiotic soil. Follow creek drainage as much as possible. Fresh landslide has created a 6 foot deep by 100 foot long lake. Do not try to avoid swimming through lake as slide remains active. Be cautious of rockfall in that area. Bring a map and route description when attempting this hike.

Narrows and Subway

Trail	Condition
Virgin River Narrows	Chamberlain's Ranch – Temple of Sinawava (16 miles)
3/26/12	TRAIL IS CLOSED WHEN THE FLOW RATE EXCEEDS 120 CFS for 24 hours. Water flow must remain below 120 CFS for 24 hours for the hike to be open. Please use the link below to find the current flow rate. The hike will typically take 12 hours to complete. Be prepared with headlamps and gear to hike into darkness if attempting in one day. Expect waist deep water often and some chest deep sections with swims possible. Check weather conditions for flash flood information before beginning your trip. Spring weather makes a wetsuit or drysuit necessary to protect against the cold. Remember: Your safety is your responsibility! Click here for more Zion Narrows information.

Trail	Condition
Virgin River Narrows	Temple of Sinawava - Big Spring (6 miles)
3/26/12	Expect knee to chest deep water. Use good judgment when deciding to make trip. Always check weather and flow rate before making trip. Spring weather makes a wetsuit or drysuit necessary to protect against the cold.

Trail	Condition
Left Fork (Subway)	Wildcat Trail – Left Fork Trailhead (9 miles)
3/26/12	Spring water levels exist, which means high possibly dangerous water levels. Expect swims in chilly water. Spring weather makes a wetsuit or drysuit necessary to protect against the cold. Permit required for all hikes to the Subway. Do NOT jump off anything! Bring rope and harness if doing a top down Subway trip. Use durable surfaces like slickrock instead of creating social trails when hiking top down. Do not leave fixed lines. For more information on the Left Fork (Subway) click here.

 

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