Tag Archives: kolob canyon

Canyoneering Trip Report: Kolob Creek, 9/8/2011

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

Descended Kolob Creek last Thursday with Carol Petrelli, Heather McIlvenna, Kev Swanson and Dan Ransom… Releases from Kolob Reservoir: They are alternating weeks of zero release and 3.5 cfs release. This was a week of zero release. Looked like about 1 cfs under the bridge, was about 1/2 cfs at the first rappel. Tame as far as waterflow. The water was clear and cold, of course. Most of us were comfy in 4/3 wetsuit with some booster type stuff. Most anchors in good shape. There are new bolts since last time I was in there (which was a couple of years ago). The chilliness convinced us to stay down in Springdale, so we got a little bit of a late start. Left the West Rim TH at 8:30, first rap at 10:00. Finished the last rappel about 1:00, to the MIA about 5 pm, up to the road in an hour and a half, another hour to the car. 11 hours total at a casual pace. A wonderful canyon. Nice that the irrigation schedule allows us to get in there this year, this early. For some good photos from our day, check out Dan Ransom’s pictorial trip report. Tom

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Canyon Video: Kolob Canyon Descent by Nick Como

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

There are only a few Class C canyons in the Zion area, and Kolob is certainly the most reliable for good water flow. Problem is, most of the time there TOO MUCH agua running through it because Kolob Creek is the outlet to Kolob Reservoir, which the Washington County Water Conservancy District uses control river levels downstream. If the District is releasing water, the risk of drowning in Kolob Creek is high and descents should wait until a safer time. If you’re thinking about descending Kolob, be sure to call the Conservancy District (435.673.3617) on a weekday to get the release schedule. If the Creek is flowing 5 CFS or less, it should be reasonably safe for canyoneers experienced in Class C conditions to descend the drainage. If you have your sights set on Kolob, but the flow is too high, consider Boundary Canyon, a near neighbor, which often has a safe flow in high water years.  

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