(Middle) Echo Canyon is famous for holding snow in the "spring", which in Zion, can mean until July 1st, or even later. We had heard few reports for how the snow was this year, so Dave Buckingham and I (after cancelling a trip to North Wash due to the heat) decided to check out Middle Echo, and rap down Lower Echo some distance and write down the ropes needed. With the addition of Bill Westerhoff (The Desert Nomad), we changed our objective to actually get to the end of Lower Echo. I rallied up 500 feet of 'scrap' 9mm static rope I had lying around, and we set off... The Desert Nomad, always enthusiastic for a day out...

But first, we had to check out Middle Echo, by swimming and clambering up from the bottom. Bill, taking on the first swim. It was cold, some would say "ice cold".

Not too far in, we found a largish pile of snow.

At the start of the Echo Chamber, we found considerable snow. Dave (in a drysuit) waded forward to assess the situation. At ground/pool level, the passage closed off after 30 or 40 feet. Further progress upstream would require overhanging snow climbing. It was pretty obvious that Middle Echo was closed, and would be for quite some time.

Dave, the Janitor, on the big pile of snow, on the way back.

Back to Lower Echo. Suit up, and head down. Bill on Rappel #1. Last trip, we had anchored the first rappel off two bolts on a ledge downcanyon left, which provides a delightful overhanging rappel. It would, of course, also provide a not-delightful overhanging jug on the way out, so instead we fixed a rope off a tree here, providing an easy, short rappel in. We dashed downcanyon, fixing ropes and cutting to fit. About halfway down, Dave started feeling lightheaded and kinda sick, so he returned upcanyon to lounge for the rest of the day. Bill and I continued downcanyon (no photos on the way down).

The canyon was fairly wet, with a couple of swims thrown in to keep us cool. We made good time downcanyon as our packs got lighter with each rap. At the end, there is a nice riparian area, and then nice views off the "veranda" where we warmed up in the sun and had an easy lunch. The last rap out the end is closed because it comes out over the very popular Weeping Rock Trail. Unfortunately. Which means instead of rapping 360 feet to the deck and shuttling into town for Fish Tacos and cervecas, we were looking at about 500' of awkward jugging. Oh my!