Zion - implications of a Real Winter

2019: We have almost had a real winter. Snow and rain. Some, not a ton. But since things have been "barely wintery" for a few years, I thought I would review what we know about Zion vis a vis a real winter.

A. Hard to say what will happen when. Caution advised. The melt-out depends on how warm it gets how fast. There is always the possibility of more snow/rain and either a slow or a fast meltout. We will know when we know.

B. The Narrows will likely close for a one to three weeks in April to May, or so. Temperatures at 7000 feet are the determinant here.

C. The Subway may or may not flood and be closed sometime in April. There is no gauge on the Subway, so it is entirely based on going and finding out. I predict two rescues this year due to high water.

D. Many canyons will flood as the snow melts out. Don't be there when that happens. Many anchors will have been disrupted by the floods. For early season descents, bring plenty of webbing, rapides and anchor skills, and expect to re-rig several to many anchors in even the trade-route canyons.

E. As far as temps in the canyons, consider it "spring" and cold until about June 1st.

F. Approaches that involve climbing talus or otherwise loose stuff then to be even looser after a good winter.

Anything else?

Tom

Thank you for this post.

My canyoneering experience has been in last 5 years, and mostly following dry winters.

I am self taught, but with 30 years of rock climbing and mountaineering experience.

My previous experience is limited to only Subway in November, and Diana Throne, multiple Egypt’s, Red Breaks, Bull Valley, etc. in April, but all in dry years.

I was unsure what my upcoming 1st week April trip was going to offer - and this helps.

With the 9 in question over last week we have moved our base from camping in watchtower to a house in Kanab, in order to guarantee speedy access to east Zion and Cotton Canyon/Skutumpah.

We are happy to mix up high country hiking, rock formations and 2nd class scrambling canyons, as well as 1 or 2 more technical, but wonder with the latter what will be accessible by April in just High Clear AWD, and not a complete mud fest: birch hollow? water canyon?

Advice of this community welcome, if you have suggestions for technical options given this winter.


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Probably a good year to be cognizant of the snowpack in Echo. Hammerhead could be another that could cause problems with snow later than might be expected. Hidden can hold a good amount as well, but then again, no idea when you'll even be able to do the canyon anyhow with the rockfall. Might see some flow in Boundary later into the year.

Maybe don't do Heaps if there's a big waterfall coming out into Emerald Pools?

Tom, thanks for this info. To us out-of-towners it is extremely helpful data.

A group of us had sights on planning a trip in early May, but have now determined that the best bang for the buck will be to push it out a couple of months.

Tom,

Great information as always.

I just moved to western Colorado in June 2018, so this is my first full Colorado winter. One thing I learned immediately was that a record (of sorts) was set for snowfall last year in Colorado -- it was incredibly low. This hurt farmers and ranchers. Residents of the western slope were acutely aware of the situation.

In contrast, the 2018-19 winter is much improved. The amount of snowfall was slightly above normal for December through February, which in itself would have been an improvement. Winter storms in March had dumped a ton of snow in a short time.

Western Colorado can never have too much snow, to judge by the reservoir near Ridgway (way down from what was once considered normal.)

Check out the update map here: https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpre...Efxr3rT-FwW2oTH1_3D2IQS9-fpTKp5CMyDilwrxN_HZs

All this snow will definitely impact Ouray canyoneering season -- making it later.

Note: you can always drop by Canyoneering Colorado in Ouray for specific information on any canyon: https://www.canyoningcolorado.com/

G. Approaches with scrambling or light climbing, or descents with stemming and downclimbing: the rock walls and boulders stay wetter later into the year, compromising their strength. Counted 9 holds pull loose on a recent outing; one of which disintegrated in my hand after it pulled out. Chaussssy...

Is Zion sandstone like Red Rocks...brittle when wet, bomber when dry?

I don’t free climb in Zion so have not thought about tensile strength of rock after rain...not enough moderate routes for me, but in Vegas, free climbers know to give it a day to dry out after rainfall to avoid breaking off the holds (let alone watching your gear rip) and avoid turning a moderate 5.8 juggy face into a 511+ blank slap


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Zion Sandstone is WAY softer than Red Rocks.

Thanks so much for this post! me and 2 other climbers are new to canyoneering and wanted to try Birch Hollow for the first time in April. We are expecting it to be cold/ wet but are curious about the hike out. We have read it is hard to navigate out and can be VERY muddy/ snowy. In a nut shell.. is it worth it in deep mud? or should we wait a few months? If anyone had any tips/ things we should know about it would be greatly appreciated.

If I never did Birch again, I would not mind.

Better canyons worth the rub of the $20 permit a short drive away.

IMO, naturally.

An update to my post: Folks, the winter ain't over . . . yet! Snow in April in Colorado isn't all that unusual . . . storms passing through continue into April.

And we have a fairly good-sized weather system arriving here this week, and 9 1/4" of snow is predicted for Ouray on Wednesday: https://howmuchwillitsnow.com/in/ouray/co

This past Sunday, I wanted to try out my new Atlas snow shoes. I just bought them, and I have never snow shoed before in my life, but I figured I'd like it. I decided to try them out doing Weehawken Creek from the bottom. I have hiked up the creek to the 90' waterfall about five times this past summer. It starts as a hike, then a scramble, and finally, as noted by Michael, you eventually have to do "minor rock climbing" to get to the waterfall. Basically, you have "chimney" between the L wall of the canyon and a massive boulder.

At any rate, snow shoes worked great. I probed with my trekking poles as I proceeded. Yeah, I fell down a couple of times, because the snow gave way, but the creek isn't that deep. I got as far as that minor climbing move section. I was by myself, and didn't want to attempt it without somebody being around to tell the authorities about the dead body stuck in the crack.

With all the snow, it was a steep, vertical shoot. I am thinking about going back after the storm calms down. Unless I find another way over -- perhaps standing on 4-6' of packed snow will allow me to cross over the wall of boulders at a different spot -- I would probably need to take off my snow shoes and . . .

Nice knowing you guys . . .

Oh -- more snow, more melt, later Ouray canyoneering season. The San Juan Mountains are now -- before this soon-to-arrive snow storm -- at 154%: https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpre...Efxr3rT-FwW2oTH1_3D2IQS9-fpTKp5CMyDilwrxN_HZs

Depending on how early this month, I would be worried about accessing the TH (might have to walk a bit of snow to get to the TH). I hiked through Bull Hollow about a week and a half ago and it was clear of snow on south facing and pretty dry but still till a lots of snow on North faces and the road. I almost got stuck messing around in the snow.

2nd thing is if you are coming from Springdale, 9 is closed on the switchbacks to all traffic so you would have to drive all the way around the park to get there.

I would except Birch to not only be wet but likely flowing.

Meant to bump this thread, accidentally posted a copy/paste.

Planning to paddle the narrows at some point in late April, probably on a weekday. If you're interested, DM me.

Repost this here as well:

Also joining in on the convo. Interested in doing some April canyons. From another post I put up it was recommended to stay more to the dry stuff which makes sense.

My main question is focused more around flash flood potential which has more or less been answered. Sounds like snow melt can cause flash flooding but really will be the same canyons prone to flashing in summer/ monsoon season. So watch the temps to make sure.

I think dry canyons will win the day this spring.

Thanks.


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I have been wanting to do Kolob Creek again for a few years, and was hoping this may be the year, but with this "real" winter I don't know the best approach to timing the flows right, or if it just won't be runnable at all.

Can anyone speak to release patterns at the reservoir with this kind of snow pack?

I realize there are a ton of variables including monsoon rains, etc. so maybe this is a shot in the dark, but trying to plan a trip out there months ahead makes me wonder if there may be a general seasonal window to shoot for.

Ultimately I can wait but I'm curious what some of you Zion veterans might have to share.

Thanks

Good question.

First, there will be dam overflow for quite some time. Until June 1st I suspect, possibly until July 1st.
- people doing Kolob before the dam overflows have found, in the "walking out" section, mandatory serious and dangerous snow climbing over seracs in the canyon, the water running underneath, the upcanyon face vertical to overhanging. I advise against.

Second, they will likely be releasing the 3-5 cfs for (June) July and August. Maybe September. Should be AWESOME!
- at the start of this period, a release of 3-5 might result in 5 - 8 - 10 in the canyon, as there will be no ground-loss, and the blue reservoir might be contributing too. That should straighten itself out by the time it actually seems to be summer.

Third, they might release (too much) water for irrigation starting September? October? Run away! Run away!!

Unlike low-snow years, Boundary will likely be running with water until August or so. Great canyon with flow!

Tom

For some context, they close the Narrows (where Kolob eventually ends up) at 150cfs.

We are directly inline with 2011 snowpack (both at exactly 100").

That year the Virgin didn't drop below 150cfs until June 27th.

Liable to get rowdy where Oak Creek converges with Kolob.

If only there were a way out of there before that confluence...


Now all this is assuming the road melts enough the locals plow the remainder before July.

Lee Valley is sitting with around 2' of hardpack (as of last night), Wildcat likely another foot.
The road might be a while.

Real Winter also means that many canyons will have many changes, and many approaches will have loose rock.

The snow and freeze/thaw etc. means that a lot of gullies and rockslides on approaches and descents will have stuff loosened up. Take special caution until we get to real summer and the loose stuff settles out. Even then...

Lots of changes in canyons are likely with the big floods from several cycles of snowmelt. Logs moved around and left unstable. Anchors wrecked, webbing on things wrecked. Plan on replacing a bunch of anchors and/or anchor rigging in canyons (Zion especially) and there is the possibility of bolts being removed by Mama Nature. BRING LOTS OF WEBBING!

Tom