Kolob
Last Candition: September 8, 2011
Zero release from the dam, and less than 1/2 cfs flowing through the canyon. Water clean and cold in the technical part. Wore dry suits with polypro underneath and neo socks and gloves. Core was warm, but hands and feet were still cold. After the technical part there are several dry sections with lots of trout trapped in diminishing pools. MIA trail is still grueling, but easier to follow than it used to be.
~1 CFS, just a slow stream always coming down. Full of water in all the sections. Swimmers and dry conditions just before Oak and after (sporadic - so always a challenge to know when to take off the wet suit). 7mm with hoodie/helmet was perfect, stayed warm in the very cold water...11 hours total including some good lunch breaks, first time through. Webbing and anchors in great shape, although there is a rusty rapid that may need replacing soon.
Long hard exit hike!!! Still a very good canyon. The dam said they were releasing 3 CFS that day but there was barely a trickle going through the canyon, I guess it all dried up before getting there. I was plenty warm in a 7mm wetsuit since thats all i own, but the rest of the group did fine in 4/3's. All the webbing was in good condition.
Zero release from the Dam = 1/2 cfs in the canyon. Water clean and coldish, 4/3 wetsuit with booster was good for most. 11 hours car to car. Anchors good, some could use new webbing. Lack of flow makes it less fun, but... It is STILL a LONG WAY from the last rap to the MIA and out!!!
4 out of 5