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coulombic In reply to ernieleo [2011-12-05 00:42:34 +0000 UTC]

Indeed, that's the way I went in. I will likely try other entry points next time I venture through, however. Either that, or actually spend a few days in there. The hike isn't particularly rough until the actual entrance into Parunuweap; at which point, the scrambling/climbing is a bit strenuous/technical.

If you aim to hike it, doing so in the summer might not be the be the best plan. That's when I went, however. The day's heat was pretty high, so by the time I reached Parunuweap, I was nearly out of water. If you do hike it, a filter/pump is highly recommended. Otherwise, another issue with hiking it in the late summer, as I did, is the propensity for flash flooding in the area at that time. It's highly prone to such, as you likely know.

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ernieleo In reply to coulombic [2011-12-05 18:07:07 +0000 UTC]

I've been back in there half a dozen times, twice to the Parunuweap, the first time looking for the exit route for Fat Mans Misery and the second time doing Fat Mans Misery. I've read of two other routes in, but both seemed much harder. You can also enter from the top by Mt Carmel junction, I'm not sure what all is involved going in that way.

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coulombic In reply to ernieleo [2011-12-06 05:18:00 +0000 UTC]

I've read of the top of Mt. Carmel Junction, and one other. There's apparently a route in that requires less actual hiking, but it's only accessible via high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, with the threat of "deep sand." I'm planning to try this route next, whenever I'm back in the area. Ideally, I want to actually get into the "Barracks" portion of the hike.

Someday, when I have more time, I'd actually like to hike the entire canyon.

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ernieleo In reply to coulombic [2011-12-06 15:44:49 +0000 UTC]

Sounds interesting, if you want some company, let me know, I spent about 6 months a year there, but not on a regular schedule.

You can't hike the entire canyon, the N.P. has in closed on the Springdale side as a wilderness study area, not sure how much, but it butts up to private property which you would need permission to exit anyway. You would have to exit where you did or find the exit at Hepworth wash and come out Gifford canyon by the tunnel. The route finding would be difficult if you never be in there before.

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coulombic In reply to djohn9 [2011-11-26 22:52:17 +0000 UTC]

No rappelling, but there were definitely more than a few parts that required both exposed scrambling, and actual "climbing" to get to. Getting down in was a bit of a pain with a pack on, but getting out. . .holy hell. That was much more difficult than I'd anticipated; customarily, going up is easier than going down for me. . .not this time. A fair bit of articulation was necessary; all of this was made worse by the ~100lbs pack on my back (medium format gear is simply too god damn heavy).

I'd planned to spend the night in the canyon, so I'd brought far more gear than I likely needed for my relatively short trip. Around 4 PM, after I was already sore and tired, I fell and smacked my hip pretty nicely on the side of some slick, wet rocks. At that point, all I wanted was beer and a hot shower. So, limping most of the way back, we got back to my car in about 4-5 hours.

If you don't intend to bring as much gear as I did, it's actually a pretty decent single-day hike. Not too difficult, and extremely rewarding at the end with a more beautiful version of "The Narrows," without the scores of people. I will honestly never hike The Narrows again.

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djohn9 In reply to coulombic [2011-11-28 14:30:00 +0000 UTC]

Now I really have to admire the effort that went into getting this shot. Hopefully we know our limits out there but those accidents happen. Knock on wood, the worst I've had are a few cuts and bruises.

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