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| | Basic Canyoneering - Scrambling; easy climbing/downclimbing; frequent hand use; rope recommended; easy exit | | B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit | | I - Short 1-2 hours |
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| no partners | | Blue Tank Canyon via Canyon Lake (02/26/2010)
2nd attempt...
Every since last February I have been thinking about the mysterious inner depths of Blue Tank Canyon. This was my day to make it happen! Last year, I was denied access by a mandatory wading segment. With my new canyoneering shoes firmly in place, I was on my way. I reached my turn around spot from last year. Man, it seems deeper than I remembered and pumpkin this water is cold! By the time I got through it, the water was over my belt line! That's 3 1/2 feet for those interested. Great way to start the hike! I'm considerably wetter than I was hopping for and a certain area of my body has gone and hid for the day. That's ok... It's worth it! Right? Wrong... A about a hundred yards later, I round a corner to find a long deep pool with water well over four feet deep and no bypass. This sucks! My well anticipated return trip only ends up gaining me about three hundred yards. Blue Tank Canyon is a swimmer. Twice defeated is enough for me. Blue Tank will remain undiscovered for now. I suspect that Blue Tank Canyon may be one of the most uncharted routes in the state. The access is difficult on both ends. Stats within the hike description are for the segment between Canyon Lake and the junction of Hells Hip Pocket.
Below the junction of Hells Hip Pocket is an obvious riparian area that can be seen from satellite images, however the lower canyon shows no evidence of perennial flow. Flow was light during this trip and went underground in places. My guess is that lower Blue Tank has zero flow in the summer and fall. Early fall is probably the best time to explore this canyon.
The hike may have been a bust but the kayaking was exceptional. Ten miles of beautiful canyon paddling with no wind and no boats. Canyon Lake is currently a mess for powerboats. Ha! Not for me. There are numerous monster debris fields throughout the lake. Many of the chunks are huge. I saw what looked like half of a cottonwood tree floating down the lake. Out-drive eaters are everywhere. Canyon Lake is essentially "no wake" for powerboats. The wonderfully peaceful conditions heading back to boat ramp quickly dissolved any frustration from my short-lived hike. I took my time and just soaked in the day. There were lots of migratory waterfowl on the lake and I was lucky enough to discover two mating eagles guarding a nest silhouetted on a rock spire high above the lake. It pays to bring binoculars. I sat and watched the eagles for almost an hour. The male would periodically fly around the vicinity while the female stayed on the nest. I loved hearing their calls echo off the canyon walls. I believe I was even able to hear the chicks at times. I really do love kayaking. You cant put a price on days like this...
Eric (ssk44)
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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| MATTHEW 11:28-30 / PSALM 84:1-2 |
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