Trail Canyon in Dry Conditions, North Wash, UT

Sunday morning came too fast. The big group was soon to be many small groups, with everyone going their separate ways, in an attempt to get back home in a reasonable time. Tom and his group headed to the Hogs, Dave and Penny went to do some exploring, and Brian and I were debating which canyon we wanted to explore. I was hoping to get a head start home, and finish off the weekend with a quick canyon. Brian, on the other hand, was looking to cap this weekend off with a little more style, and drop a canyon that had long eluded him—Trail Canyon. I was feeling more like a doing a Hog, but he was unrelenting. Seriously, I hate wetsuits, and getting wet in November doesn't really sound appetizing. The debate lasted about ten seconds and ended abruptly when Brian questioned my canyonhood. I'd heard a few rumors about Trail Canyon, mainly that it is wet and physical, neither characteristic of which I was looking forward too. But after seeing how dry the Maidenwaters were on Saturday, we figured this was the best window we'd have for getting through it with minimal swimming. Game on.

Brian Frankle going high in the narrowest part of Trail Canyon.

Dan doing his best Ram impression. Not sure who looks scarier…

Heading down the first rappel. You can’t teach that kind of style; you either have it or you don’t.

One more, from the side.

Mr. Frankle, on rappel.

A few real easy downclimbs following the initial rappel. The canyon drops out in a hurry, leading to some real nice narrows.

Brian downclimbing the second dryfall, into the first of the skinny sections.

Let the stemming begin! I’m pretty sure you can go low at this point, but the hallway had some water. Plus, I needed a little warmup before the real goods later on.

Trail, about as dry as you will ever see it. Just the way I like ’em.

That’s me, showing off that mad canyon style yet again.

The first stopper of the day. Brian checks out the swimmer. After much debate between the two of us, I decide to forego the wetsuit, but rather just strip down to my skivvies and hurry across the thing. It would prove to be a really dumb decision.

Brian making his way down the cheesegrater downclimb. (Note to self, shirts are helfpul when sliding down narrow chimneys.)

Calm. Cool. Collected. At least for a moment more…

Ah yeah, that’s friggin’ cold! But with some creative stemming underwater, it only got to waste deep. Sweet!

With clothes back on, Brian slithering through some more skinnies.

Real men do it with their shirt off… Or stupid men. Take your pick.

Jumping another small pothole, trying to keep the chest above water.

Success! Damn, those shorts look good!

Brian executing the pothole jump with a little more style.

The last pothole obstacle of any significance. Brian, showing how to go high.

Dan, showing how bad he hates any kind of exposure, chooses the low road.
Easy does it.

And the quick jump across the pool… Not as successful as the last pool.

And finally, the last section of really narrow stuff. Beautiful slot through here.

Brian making his way up the first upclimb, to get up and over the mae-west section.

Dan making his way through near the end of Trail Canyon.

The final obstacle. After this, Trail Canyon opens up quite a ways, and all that remains is a casual walk back to the car. An excellent canyon to wrap up the weekend.