Trip Report: Westwater Canyon Overnight Boating/Climbing/Canyoneering Trip
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Westwater Canyon Overnight Boating/Climbing/Canyoneering Trip By Chris Owin |
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| BOATING | 06/30/2026 | Class IV- |
| Westwater Boating, Climbing and Canyoneering Multisport Trip By Chris Owin 3 Adventuresome and Psyched outdoors people spent 5 days during the 4th of July weekend doing Class IV boating, 5.9 climbing and 3A II R canyoneering. Once we left the put-in, we had the canyon entirely to ourselves and saw no one for 30 hours. Skull is a solid Class IV at these levels of approximately 1600 cfs. The third hole is a few feet deep and somewhat sticky. Our group ran right of skull rock. The water was warm and the cleanest the rangers had seen in years. Chris showed us underwater bouldering. This proved to be a great way to practice climbing and an opportune way to cool down. Masks and snorkels were not used as we needed to save space and weight for 56 pounds of climbing gear. Rowing Tower on river left just downstream of Big Horn campsite at mile 114.2 was climbed. This tower is arguably the most prominent and aesthetically pleasing tower in the canyon. The route ascends the side facing the left down river canyon wall. The route went at 5.9, no chalk, bolts or webbing were left on the tower. The rappel off the top was radically overhung and highly picturesque. Crack tacks, KB's, LA's and thin Leeper Z's were the order for the day. One number 4 camalot and one thread were also placed. The route was a first ascent. The canyoneering was special as we saw pictographs, petroglyphs, moki steps and metates. One canyon surprisingly even had a bit of poison ivy. Hand stacks, knee stacks, arm bars and 2 dyno moves were used to access the river right canyon rim. Picturesque alcoves with hanging gardens and blooming flowers were also explored. Hittle Bottom was the takeout. Twenty different species of birds were seen. We saw deer, beaver, rabbits and approached within 75 feet of antelope. We saw prairie dog homes, but no one was UP for visitation. Multiple signs of mountain lions were spotted. The eerie glow of the upriver grasslands fire at night was only surpassed by the burnt orange orb of the rising gibbous moon. Remnants of snow were spotted on the La Sals. In the 80's and 90's the club would usually do 5 Westwater trips per year. This canyon is just over 4 hours from SLC, somewhat easy to get a permit and extremely scenic. The inner canyon walls of blackened and glossy Vishnu Schist juxtaposed with pink and salmon colored Zoroaster Granite comprise an other worldly feel. These are justifiably framed by iron red and reflective manganese streaked Windgate Sandstone, that is further accented by the varied colored palates of the Chinle Formation. These two layers forming the imposing and restrictive outer canyon walls. This is a very pretty canyon with scenic camps and minimum bug concerns. This trip had great boating, climbing and canyoneering. Why did so few club members enjoy it? Eight people bailed from the trip prior to launch. So many skilled and seasoned club boaters, climbers and canyoners missed out on a super adventure. What can we as a club do to get more people to enjoy such a great canyon? If anyone has any ideas or wants to do this trip again, please contact me. See you on the water!! |
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