Kolob Canyon, Zion National Park

LOGISTICS
Rating	3C IV or V
Season	Summer or fall when the canyon is open
Time Commitment	8 to 12 hours
Longest Rappel	165 feet (50 m)
Access	Kolob is commonly done two ways. For a day trip out the MIA Trail, park at the West Rim Trailhead near Lava Point. The MIA Trail returns to this point. For a two-day trip enjoying the full glory of Kolob Canyon, start from the West Rim Trailhead and exit at the Temple of Sinawava.
Permit Required?	YES - Also call the Washington County Water District (435-673-3617) for the release schedule. The District Office is only open during normal business hours, M-F, 9-5.
Emergency	Zion Wilderness Desk: 435-772-0170 Zion EMERGENCY: 435-772-3322
EQUIPMENT
Essentials	Helmets, rappelling gear, webbing and rapid links, drybags for your gear.
Cold Water   Protection	Full Wetsuits or Drysuits
Drinking Water	Clear spring water available to filter once in Kolob Creek drainage.
DIFFICULTIES
Flash Flood Risk	High - Long sections of narrows do not allow escape
Skills Required	Long exposure to cold water, navigation to the canyon entrance.
Anchors	A mix of bolted and natural anchors.  Bring webbing and rapid links.

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS

The water release schedule from Kolob dictates when the canyon can be done. Release from the reservoir typically ends in September, making Fall the most likely time to do this canyon.

PREPARATION

Call the Washington County Water District at 435-673-3617 to determine the release schedule.  They are only open Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.  Obtain a permit at the Backcountry Desk.  CONFIRM the waterflow in Kolob by looking where Kolob Creek crosses under the Kolob Terrace road. 

The approach to Kolob can be done entirely on old logging roads. Drive to the West Rim Trailhead near Lava Point. Walk back along the road a few minutes to the sharp turn. Continue straight north across the meadow to a gap in the trees, a post and the start of a road. Follow the road down a few feet, then follow it left and traverse steeply downhill 15 minutes to the bottom of a hill. Continue straight ahead and pick up a smaller road climbing the opposite side to a pass.

Descend the road on the other side of the pass, switchbacking down the drainage. Where the road forks, stay in the drainage. About 15 minutes below the pass, after crossing a small, rocky drainage, follow an obscured switchback to the right into a small drainage with bluffs on each side. Follow this road all the way to Kolob Creek. Follow a path on the right side downstream for a ways, then cross to the left side when forced. Follow a pretty good trail on the left side to the start of the drops. Allow 45 minutes for the approach.

Check the flow in the stream. The dam release schedule might have changed.  Carefully consider the amount of flow you see - if it is more than five cfs you are out of luck - do not descend, and go find something else to do. The stream flow should be gentle and shallow – you will be rappelling, swimming and downclimbing in this flow – make sure it is low.

The first rappel in the canyon is 25 meters (80 feet) into a pocket garden. Suit up  before this rappel. Choose a tree near the head to rappel from, and rap in.  Head downcanyon and you immediately encounter your first swim. Yee haw!

Proceed downcanyon. Rappels 2 and 3 are off log jams down short drops.  Rappel 4 is a chained rappel through two or three pools. Most teams will do 10 to 12 rappels. Two long rappels of about 45 meters (150 feet) are near the end of the technical section. Otherwise rappels are no longer than 30 meters (100 feet).

The final long rappel into a big pool is fabulous. This marks the end of the main technical section, though not the end of the fun. Many parties remove their drysuits here. However, there are a couple short rappels and swims a half-hour to an hour downcanyon.

To the MIA Trail

About thirty minutes downcanyon, a 400-foot waterfall comes in over the left canyon wall. The spring at its base is a good place to collect water. About one hour past the waterfall, and soon after two short rap-n-swims, Kolob joins the larger canyon of Oak Creek, and your direction changes from generally east to generally south. There is often a small flow in Oak Creek, and shortly downcanyon is a short drop into a pool. Rapping from bolts on the right might allow you to avoid another swim.

Finding the MIA Trail

While the MIA Trail is not hard to find, many a canyoneer has walked past it due to inattention.  Noting the intersection of Boundary Canyon is the key to finding the MIA Trail.  The MIA Trail should not be attempted in the dark.  The first time, most parties will require at least 2 hours for the MIA Trail, plus another hour to hike back to the trailhead.

OR, Down Kolob Canyon to the Narrow (Overnight Option)

All canyon descents into Kolob Creek (Kolob Canyon, Boundary Canyon, the Oak Fork Canyons) may exit via a one- or two-day trip to the Temple of Sinawava, via Kolob Creek and the Virgin River (Zion Narrows). While this route requires more planning and gear than an MIA exit, it is arguably a more enjoyable, remote, and scenic way to complement your initial technical descent. Lower Kolob Creek itself offers a wonderful variety of narrows, and while the entire 12.1-mile route may not be the longest in the area, it may possibly be the most spectacular long narrows.

From the MIA Trail, hike downcanyon four miles to the intersection with the North Fork. There are two short rappels with swims in icy pools within the first two miles. Plan on 3 hours.

From the end of the technical narrows, there are numerous small places to bivy in the canyon. Please use zero-impact camping techniques. Kolob has a few pools, but tends to be mostly dry. Be prepared to pump drinking water from yucky pools, or pump early when the water is good. If you camp after the intersection with the North Fork, you will need a Narrows camping permit. Most parties camp between the MIA trail and the North Fork.

From the intersection with the North Fork, stroll 8 miles downcanyon to the Temple of Sinawava (approx 6 hours).

Author's Experience

Kolob was my first 'big' Zion canyon. Brian Cabe took my novice carcass, wrapped in two shortee wetsuits, through Kolob in 1999. My understanding of hypothermia expanded on this trip. We camped in the lower Kolob Creek narrows, then walked out the Virgin River Narrows the next day. Since that first initiation, I have descended Kolob about 5 times, exiting out the MIA on each occasion.

Kolob Pictures, June 2004 - A photographer's melee through Kolob and Imlay. With Chris Avery, Lin Alder, and Tom Wetherell.
Kolob Canyon, 1st Rappel, 7/27/10 - Nick Purcell and I go to check out what Kolob looks like at 15 CFS.
Kolob Descent, 10/21/10 - A trip report by Dan Ransom.

Exterior Links

Stories

The Youth Group Tragedy in Kolob Canyon, 7/15/93 - Kolob's most infamous and tragic descent. Required reading for anyone considering a Kolob descent at more than 5 CFS.

Alternative Descriptions

Kolob Canyon by Bo & Tanya 

• Kolob first rap Kolob first rap
• First rap, 3 cfs First rap, 3 cfs
• Too much water! Too much water!
• TomW in Kolob TomW in Kolob
• Messy anchor Messy anchor
• First big rap First big rap
• July sunshine July sunshine
• A nice swim A nice swim
• Big rap #2 Big rap #2
• Big rap #2 #2 Big rap #2 #2
• Floating in a pool Floating in a pool
• Hikeout: Waterfall Hikeout: Waterfall
• Rock hopping! Rock hopping!
• Wade on the way out Wade on the way out
•