ADAM HAYDOCK

there is usually a semi keeper pothole in this canyon but we did not encounter this pothole as the water and snow melt filled up the canyon .

The raps in this canyon are only up to 20ft in length and there were a few down climbs.

This canyon is a pretty popular technical canyon within the park which also has a upper section, middle and lower section to this canyon.

The canyon passes by the popular weeping spring trail

I recommend this canyon as a good "rest day" canyon for a multi-day canyoneering trip in Zion.

please research this canyon through canyons with beta sites like www.ropewiki.com

Buck farm canyon is a popular stop on recreational and all rafting trips down the grand canyon as people can enjoy a beautiful hike far up the canyon with out too much technical difficulty.

There is also a technical canyoneering route that starts from the top down but with the steep approach and very short technical portion, the group enjoyed their way up as they got to see most of the beauty that this canyon had to offer.

There was a really nice muav section with combed rock wall and perennial streams flowing through the canyon .

At the head of the canyon, the walls rise over 1000ft which gives this canyon a massive and grand feel to the hike, yup you are in the grand canyon.

Some of the team headed all the way up to the bottom of the last rap.

I sat in the middle of the canyon, meditating and just taking it all in which was a wonder but short lived recharge.

I was quite impressed with the beauty of this canyon and was excited that we all had time to get to buck farm in time before the wind and rain started.

There is a nice beach to camp at which also allows for easy access to the canyon and just a short raft to eminence break for the hike out of tatahoysa and tatahatso canyons. 

I highly recommend camping here for the night if you are coming through tatahatso or at least make a stop at buck farm to check out the canyon.

Another beautiful place in the grand canyon.

Finally! The illusive classic grand canyon loop of tatahatso canyon has been complete.  After 2 attempts, first attempt being too hot and the second attempt being too cold, we were finally able to circumnavigate the Grand canyon Classic canyoneering route. 

When I think about how this trip was, I think about how the overall variation of activities made this trip a fun route to complete.  

If I am thinking about just the canyon itself and all the effort that went into the trip to visit the canyon, I can see how some might be a bit discouraged on the fun factor. 

Canyons in the grand canyon are not only about canyoneering, its about beautiful hiking, camping, backpacking, pack rafting, navigation, and the technical aspects that go with canyoneering, all in one. 

This canyon is in the Marble canyon range and requires a permit from the Grand Canyon back country office and a permit from the Navajo nation which can be a bit ambiguous to figure out but if you are looking for a fun canyon with a 7 mile pack raft through manageable riffles and a few rapid portages, than this is a good contender.  

After stopping by Coal mine canyon, we headed over to meet up with the rest of the group to drive 13 miles on dirt roads to the trailhead for tatahatso canyon.



We got there somewhat early which was helpful for the drive and for preparing to get soem good sleep for the following days activiteis.


We got an early start with some sunny and ideal conditions, 40 and sunny at the rim.


We headed down and around the rim to a steep break that allowed for entry into Tatahatso Canyon but the entry was steep with some down climbing and pack passing in a couple sections.


Once we got down into the tail of the canyon, the steep down climbing boulder hopping began with some knee jarring workarounds.


This actually took longer than I anticipated and eventually we came to the first major confluence and took a break in the shade as the sun started to blaze through the clouds.


We continued down the, now more gradual and less boulder stricken canyon and eventually made it to the tail end of tatahatso canyon .

It took us around 4 1/2 hours from the car to get to the tailend of the canyon but we made it and now its time to enjoy the canyon .


We encountered raps up to around 75 feet in length.


This is not official and this post or blog website shall not be used for beta or for anyone looking to plan a trip through this canyon. please refer to other sites and books for the correct information to prepare yourself for this canyon.



Some of the raps needed a curiosity so we set up as needed and also replaced on rap.  


The canyon narrows in some scenic sections and opens back up.


I think the beginning segment of the canyon was nice and towards the end has some scenic sections. 


The final rap was also nice to see the pool below and the river in front of us.


We made it through the canyon in good time and had enough time to get over to buck farm canyon for a place to camp for the night.

We all completed the rap and headed over to the put in site for pack rafts to float down the river.


We proceeded down the river and encountered 4-5 riffles and one mandatory portage before the buck farm take out.


We were all able to make it to buck farm just before the sunset and got to get set up before darkness fell upon us.


It was quite at the campground and everyone ended up going to sleep early to prepare for the weather the following day.


photo by Ben Bickel



We woke up early to explore up buck farm canyon and found the weather changing quite rapidly from sunny to rather winder with moisture in the air.


We set off for eminence break and found that the river has gone up and the headwinds were fighting against us in the calm sections.

We made it to eminence break and hiked out in good time but the rain started and as we ascended up 3k ft of gain, so did the cold weather.  By the time we got to the top it was sleeting out and gale force winds.  Wooohoo! what a trip that was.

Coal mine canyon is a surprisingly beautiful vista overlook that had a lot of reflective feel to canyon lands national park in a badlands like geological environment.

Once we got to the vista Ben and I were in shock as to how beautiful this place was and how interesting the silt and mud stones appeared.

There were bands of striation in the rock of all kinds of colors including some blue tinted rocks in the distance.

Moving around the canyon we could see different perspectives of the canyon that appeared to have a similar look as bryce canyon.

The hoodoos were more silty muddy and had some fascinating color and design to them.

We had to head out before the storms rolled in but I cant wait to come back to get some sunset shot of this place.