| KANARRA CREEK |
| ROUTE INFORMATION | VIEW PHOTOS! |
Overview:
Kanarra Creek is a beautiful little canyon in BLM land north of the Kolob section of Zion National Park, located above the Hurricane Cliffs just east of the little town of Kanarraville. As you drive into the downtown on Old US Hwy 91 (which becomes Main Street), look for E 100 N St and drive east three blocks until you reach the gated dirt road that heads up into the hills. Despite the warning on the gate that you should park back in town, it is perfectly fine to park in the new large parking area just to the north of the gate.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON ACCESS ISSUES!
Back in 2006, many residents of Kanarraville voiced their displeasure about the increasing number of hikers visiting Kanarra Creek. The major concerns were large groups leaving trash and beer cans in the canyon, trampling the plant life, and damaging the waterworks, as well as people speeding through town en route to the hike. In the past, you could drive all the way up into the Hurricane Cliffs to start the hike, but in 2008, the access road was closed to all vehicles. In my opinion, this is a good thing: forcing people to hike an extra mile uphill keeps away the majority of people who don't really care for the canyon.
Kanarra Creek is the town's water source; if you choose to visit here, please be respectful and tread lightly to guarantee access for future visitors! And of course, obey all street signs and "no parking" signs along E 100 N St.
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Detailed Description:
Kanarra Creek is a fairly strenuous day hike up a beautiful little canyon and could take anywhere between 3-6 hours to hike at a leisurely pace. From the hiker's gate, follow the old access road as it wanders up into the Hurricane Cliffs past the water tanks and enters the lower open sections of the canyon. You will cross the stream several times and soon enough, the road will end by the water well and you will be hiking in the stream most of the time. (Good water hiking shoes are recommended for the usually very cold water.)
The lower sections of canyon are mostly overgrown and you will be alternating between hiking in the (usually less than a foot-deep) water and hiking on one of the many short trails of use on both sides of the stream. Whatever route you choose, please do your best to avoid causing any more erosion to the banks. After about half a mile, the canyon suddenly slots up and you are in the magic section of the hike.
Soon after the start of the dark slot section, you will reach the first major obstacle of the hike: a 15-foot high rock-jam waterfall that must be climbed over. Typically, some sort of ladder aid is in place to help people climb up the waterfall, but the quality of the aid varies year to year. Evaluate the ladders carefully to determine if they are safe enough for YOU to use. Many people will choose to call it quits at this point and enjoy lunch in the lower sections of the canyon.
Just above the first waterfall is a boulder waterfall that can be bypassed by scrambling up the right (SE) side of the canyon. After several more beautiful turns in the canyon, a few minor obstacles and a few narrow sections of waist-deep water, you will reach the second major rock-jam waterfall obstacle that may also have a ladder concoction to help upstream travel. Again, evaluate if the aid is safe enough for you. Beyond this obstacle, the upper canyon shallows out and loses charm. Hike as far as you wish, then return the way you came.
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Kanarra Creek Map. Note: While viewing the map, click on the map to return to this page. |
Technical Challenges:
I would almost call this a family hike if it wasn't for the two major obstacles and a few sections of rock-scrambling. You are walking/wading in water for most of the hike, so dress appropriately. A run of webbing might be useful for handlines to help weaker members of your party get past some of the scrambling obstacles.
Joe's Spin:
This is a great little hike! It's not as majestic or stunning as the Zion Narrows proper, but it is quite a beautiful little canyon; the flowing water and slot sections make it more interesting than its neighboring canyons. Thank you to the people of Kanarraville who have come up with a good solution for protecting their canyon and keeping access open to hikers!
VIEW THE PHOTOGRAPHS! | Return to the Kolob Section
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