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| Canyoneering | 8.60 Miles |
2,300 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 8.60 Miles | 10 Hrs 50 Mns | | 0.79 mph |
| 2,300 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I've had this on my to-do list for several years. Finally worked the timing out and snagged a permit. Went with my wife, one of my kids, and some extended family members.
Picked up the permit the day before in Zion NP.
Started at the Wildcat Canyon TH at 6:40 a.m. No other cars in the parking area--a good sign.
The trail to the edge of the "rim" is well-defined, but from there to actual drop-in point at creek level was indistinct and could be challenging to follow for significant sections. Good to have a GPS route.
The forecast temperature was for 111 degrees, so when the ranger asked if we'd be wearing wetsuits, I said: Uh, no. It was the right call (though I have canyoneered other slots in the summer heat and been glad to have a wetsuit!).
Although the creekbed hiking is the gem, the trail to the creekbed is also quite beautiful, with the sandstone geology on full display.
Once in the creekbed, the hike just got more amazing. I expected it to be spectacular, but it still exceeded my expectations.
As for the rappels, we bypassed the first rappel via a crack on the right, where a large tree allows some semi-awkward downclimbing. The second rappel is really a short 10-foot drop, for which we just used a length of webbing as support. The only "mandatory" rappel was the final one just above the Subway itself. It is also short. 50' of rope is sufficient. All rappel spots were supported by bolted anchors with relative fresh webbing.
There was one other spot that required a short jump into a deep pool from a chockstone.
At the Subway, we encountered two other small groups--a couple from Israel that had overtaken us on the way down, and another small group that had hiked up from the bottom. Given that they release 80 permits a day, we enjoyed relative solitude.
Although the Subway was an absolute gem, I think the best parts of the hike are above the Subway, and not accessible from the bottom--including the famous lone tree/log spot.
Below the Subway, there are several cascades that were fun to see and experience as well.
The NPS warns against drinking the creek water (even filtered) and advises to filter from one of the springs that flows into the creek. There is a nice spring around the corner below the Subway on the right hand side (looking downstream) for this purpose.
It was getting predictably hot as we continued down canyon, but frequent dips in the creek kept us cool.
We met a handful of small groups coming up from the bottom as we descended. One guy was uber-concerned about a scratch he had sustained getting infected by the bacteria-filled water and serially asked several in our group how worried he should be. I considered telling him that (in my expert opinion) he was a goner, but ultimately went with: Take a good shower when you get home; I think you'll be fine.
One of our party had done the Subway several times and advised that the dinosaur tracks were near the turn up to exit the canyon. that turned out not to be accurate (they are further up the canyon), so I was a little bummed to have missed that landmark, but just one of many reasons to return!
The climb up was steep, but relatively short. Myself and another in our group marched ahead of the group to retrieve our shuttle car.
I'd post my route, but with the GPS pinging all over the place, it recorded about 22 miles and 3600 AEG, so not particularly helpful. :-)
A truly amazing place! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
We were plenty warned about a dead elf at the first rappel and all too soon we could smell that disgusting beast rotting away up ahead. 
But we did our best to ignore the nasty smell and do that first short rappel. 
Loads more pools & narrows to go thru with an occasional short rappel & awkward down climb & a couple swimmers and all too soon were at that final 30ft rappel. 
