Birch Hollow

Anyone been down Birch Hollow recently? Snow, mud, water???

I would have to assume a lot of snow and mud. Considering Southern Utah is at 200% of average snowpack this year

The east side picked up over 3' of snow last week.

So unless you have a snowmobile...

Also, with 3', post-holing up WWH as an exit would suck an egg

The canyon and the exit are both north-facing and wooded. Top of the canyon is at 6600 feet.

Tom

I'd worry about some anchors being buried right now too. Take a shovel and know where they are! Or build your own snowtrap.

Might be easier to just run the snow machines down to the cul de sac in Orderville Canyon, then ride double back up.

North Fork Road past the Ponderosa might be a good ski tour tomorrow...

Wish I had shorter skis so I could ski the Death Gully area of Mystery Canyon!

Tom

Be careful what you wish for. I have just the ski for the job, Tom. Comes from the Atlai Mnts. of Siberia. I have mine mounted with 3-pin bindings but the universal would allow you to just slip your canyoneering boots right in. I suspect Atlai wouls sponsor you for a photo of your Death Gully descent.
Perhaps a new thread? Ha. View attachment 17781

Sorry folks. It was not funny enough nor important enough to warrant a double post. I just am a techno idiot. Someone help that poor woman!

That's ok...it helps the post count. That way this site still feels relevant...ha ha!

I see some social media traffic of the kids snow machining into some places on the north side (KT road-ish). Pretty big ice year in that area.

We hiked to the Englestead area a number of years back in March and was way too snowy and icy to consider a descent. Reload to Middle Echo was still an adventure.

Be interesting to see the melt out this year. Folks are sharpening their boating tools in anticipation of all those creeks and rivers that don't usually get enough to consider given their short window of flow. Should be amazing, but, also a bit scary (or deadly) if folks aren't careful.

Given the steepness and the tight trees, I'm going full AT!

Thanks everyone!
Am I dreaming to think much of the snow has melted?

About an inch of rain here in this / last week, here in Mt Carmel at 5000 feet. Likely rain there too. Which eats the snow. Likely very muddy and wet in there. The road to the top of Birch might be passable. Past there much less likely. The slick clay on that road laughs at 4WD, and then dumps you in the ditch.

Tom

My best guess is in months not days before it isn't completely snow and mud in that whole area

Ha ha ha. Great response. And mucho gracias!

currently sitting at 225% of normal snowpack
https://www.ksl.com/weather/snowpack

Kolob Snotel - 106" snowpack. 38" snow water equivalent
Midway Snotel - 119" snowpack. 19.5" snow water equivalent

Been a great year for anything snow related.

Been a terrible year for cabins caving in, getting flooded from ice dams on roofs, and inaccesibilty.

Any recommendations for a less snowy alternative to Birch?
We have a few athletic newbies coming along.

Virgin River Gorge

Cherry, Portal, plus many others

Water, Dothraki (non-tail approach)

He said beginners. Water Canyon is likely in full-on IceWater burly Class C form right now, and Dothraki is definitely not a beginner canyon.

Tom