White Canyon

Went for a hike in White Canyon in S. Utah last Saturday. The last time I was here was 15 years ago when I did the infamous Black Hole section. I was much foolhardier in those days, armed with only a cheap WalMart swim pool mattress and a plastic bag to keep the contents of my daypack dry. Even though I did that hike at the end of July, I have never been so cold in my entire life as when I finally emerged!
Since that time, this sign has been bolted to a boulder about halfway down the entrance canyon trail imploring folks to think twice about attempting the hike. Seems the San Juan Co. Sheriff's deputies grew weary of rescuing people and retrieving bodies.

(Links above are worth checking out for detailed info. and photos).

Note that Indian paintbrush flowers and primroses are blooming down this way.

This scene is located about 100 yards upstream from the beginning of the Black Hole, when the canyon is 500 ft. deep or so. I don't know what made those tracks, but odds are it will never see the surface again.

I never saw another soul during the 6 hours I was down here.

And finally, a 'bonus'!
This crappy snapshot was taken in 1995 as I emerged from the Black Hole.
I was definitely touched by hypothermia at this time and ready to run to the shaft of sunlight I saw oh so far ahead of me.

Forgot to include this one, which shows a cottonwood tree trunk deposited about 25 ft. above the ground by a flash flood.

The tracks image is intriguing ... the mysterious canyon-bound creature. The bonus image is classic. I can see the longing for land in your face. Nice raft.

Great stuff, John! I've always looked down there with longing from the highway. The mystery tracks shot is definitely my pick. The tracks make me think of being enticed onward into a place not meant for humans.

Excellent article, John. Not a place for the squeamish or foolhardy! That would be me.
Love the tracks shot. Great lead-in.

Nice shots! I like the 2nd one. I too made a hike down into this canyon several years ago. I was also more foolhardy back then, as I forgot to bring water. As a result, I turned back a little sooner than I might otherwise have, but I still went a bit farther than I should have, as the canyon just kept drawing me in.

It changes on a yearly and sometimes monthly basis - as do many canyons, though the black hole suffers it more than most.

Great shots. Sounds like an amazing place. Liked your story along with your raft as well.

This trip has been on my radar for a while. Your photos give me some inspiration to get after it. I have a friend in Moab who is a climbing/canyoneering guide and I asked him about this trip last week. Apparently, the logjam has been washed out and you no longer have to risk life and limb scrambling over it to get all the way through the canyon.

Wow, cool!!!! I've never heard of this place! I love shot #2 with the tracks. Another canyon on my todo list :)

I really liked the tracks shot, John. It would be nice if someone could identify those tracks. Was that shot using something like a 17-40 lens?

Thanks, folks!
It was indeed the oft maligned 17-40 lens, Howard.

I love the tracks image, John. Thanks for this post. It was an interesting read.

Oft maligned, but the one I use too! I think those tracks are those of the Kangaroo Rat -- common in the deserts of the SW. I dig the one with the track for sure, also the shot with the suspended log is awesome. I feel a chill just looking at that retro shot -- brrrrrr!

And here I thought not even light could escape the gravitational pull of a black hole! Great photos, John, and very good retelling of the events, both recent and historic. I also really like the tracks-in-sand photo, especially with your contextual tidbit.

We were all more brave/foolhardy back in the day.

I really like #1 the best by far--- Seriously, The tracks shot is my favorite and I agree that they appear to be kangaroo rat tracks.

John, this looks like a place lost in time. Love the tracks shot! Very cool!

John, this looks like a place lost in time. Love the tracks shot! Very cool!

Love the image with the tracks, the perspective you shot it at is perfect. Looks like fun!