Bull Valley Gorge

I haven't been through lately, but I took a geology group from SUU of about 18 through Round Valley Draw once. Most of them were inexperienced/out of shape and did just fine. I brought webbing to sequence them in and nobody even used it. I remember Bull Valley Gorge as being comparable with only one spot to mention at the head of the canyon (10 feet). My recolection of the canyons is that they weren't prone to hold water. You should be just fine.

My father wants to do the Bull Valley Gorge/Sheep Creek/Willis Creek loop, and we are looking at the weekend after Easter. He's concerned about how much water might be in the canyons - he doesn't want to swim. Does anyone know how much water do these canyons hold, especially with the recent rains? Are there spots where we might be forced to swim? Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Probably no swimmers but some of the holes could be waist deep. Bull Valley Gorge can be dark so it would be a little cool until you get into the full sunlight. The other two are very wide and in sunlight. Road should be in good condition since we have not had rain for one week.

bruce from bryce

>From: "dsijdavis" dsijdavis@yahoo.com
Reply-To: Yahoo Canyons Group
To: Yahoo Canyons Group
Subject: [from Canyons Group] Bull Valley Gorge >Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2006 03:51:04 -0000
My father wants to do the Bull Valley Gorge/Sheep Creek/Willis Creek >loop, and we are looking at the weekend after Easter. He's concerned >about how much water might be in the canyons - he doesn't want to >swim. Does anyone know how much water do these canyons hold, >especially with the recent rains? Are there spots where we might be >forced to swim? Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks.
>

You are safe from much water (more than shin deep) in Sheep Creek and Willis Creek but Bull Vally Gorge might be hold some and it would be cold. To be on the safe side.. start your hike at Willis Creek, go to Sheep Creek and end in Bull Valley Gorge. That way if its wet you can retreat and go back out the dryer way. I can't think of anything that would be too difficult doing backwards? Might be though?

Here is Bo and my trail description, photos and map of that route. <http://www.zionnational-park.com/staircase-bull-valley-gorge.htm>

--- In Yahoo Canyons Group, "dsijdavis" <dsijdavis@...> wrote: > My father wants to do the Bull Valley Gorge/Sheep Creek/Willis Creek > loop, and we are looking at the weekend after Easter. He's concerned > about how much water might be in the canyons - he doesn't want to > swim. Does anyone know how much water do these canyons hold, > especially with the recent rains? Are there spots where we might be > forced to swim? Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks. >

On Apr 12, 2006, at 10:59 AM, ~tanya wrote: > I can't think of anything that > would be too difficult doing backwards? Might be though?

Going backwards isn't a problem, since there are at least one or two escape routes out of bull valley gorge near where the bridge crosses over.

One problem could arise where the large "ladder" log is used to descend (ascend) the tallest drop. One time i was there coming from above and found the "ladder" log was toppled over. This drop can be stemmed, but it's vertical, smooth, and relatively tall so some might not feel like ascending it.

But from what i hear, this log being toppled over isn't very common, so ascending the canyon shouldn't be a problem; and if so, there are always escape routes.

stefan

--- In Yahoo Canyons Group, Stefanos Folias <sf@...> wrote:
> On Apr 12, 2006, at 10:59 AM, ~tanya wrote:
But from what i hear, this log being toppled over isn't very > common, so ascending the canyon shouldn't be a problem; and if so, > there are always escape routes. > Last year during August there was no log. I stemmed, but I am 6'2". Might be a bit wide for some.

bruce from bryce >

I went through Bull Valley Gorge last month - and the log had not reappeared. So go with the assumption that it won't be there and be pleasantly surprised if it is.

Mike Putiak Nawlins

--- In Yahoo Canyons Group, "bsilliman2001" <weabruce@...> wrote:
--- In Yahoo Canyons Group, Stefanos Folias <sf@> wrote:


On Apr 12, 2006, at 10:59 AM, ~tanya wrote:
> But from what i hear, this log being toppled over isn't very
common, so ascending the canyon shouldn't be a problem; and if so,
there are always escape routes.
> Last year during August there was no log. I stemmed, but I am 6'2". > Might be a bit wide for some.
bruce from bryce
>