Kolob Canyon | Zion West Side

Canyoneering Kolob Canyon - Zion West Side Canyoneering Kolob Canyon

Zion West Side

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: 3C
CFS RANGE: 0 - 5

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. South southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.

52 | 29

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 53.

53 | 28

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 26

Wed

A chance of snow before 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 24

Thu

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

43 | 20

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SEASON: Late Spring, Summer, Fall
RAPPELS: 13 to 50 m ( 165 ft. )
WATER: Flowing, heavy wetsuit required (5mm+)
FLASHFLOOD: High

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. South southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.

52 | 29

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 53.

53 | 28

Tue

A chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 50.

50 | 26

Wed

A chance of snow before 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 24

Thu

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

43 | 20

View Full Weather Details
Getting SOAKED early in Kolob - Unkown Canyoneer

Getting SOAKED early in Kolob - Unkown Canyoneer

Kolob Rappel

Kolob Rappel

Kolob is a very different animal than most other canyons on the Colorado Plateau. Except in fairly rare circumstances, it is a flowing water canyon, and can be extremely dangerous or deadly with higher flows! Call the Washington County Water Conservancy District at 435-673-3617 to find out the release rate for Kolob Reservoir, and if it is planning on being increased or decreased by the date of your trip. At 3CFS, it is fairly intense and requires good flowing water canyon experience. At 5+ it would extremely dangerous, stay out!

ACCESS ISSUE: Permission is required to use the MIA Exit before getting a permit from the Zion Backcountry Desk. The land is privately owned. Call 435-673-4983 to obtain permission.

OK, with the warning out of the way, Kolob is an amazing canyon. It is intense, flowing, and beautiful. Skilled canyoneers only for this one, it is no place for beginners or intermediates. The water is bitter cold, so a full wetsuit is required. I like a 2 piece 5mm, but if you are not cold tolerant, a 7mm suit may be prudent. Once you start, you will be in the water for several hours with no real respite. In 1993 two boyscout leaders were killed, and the rest of the group stranded for 5 days waiting for rescue. They attempted the canyon at an astounding 29CFS.

Cristina getting ready to rappel

Cristina getting ready to rappel

One of the short drops - Kolob

One of the short drops - Kolob

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