| Bryce Canyon. | .
beneath a dramatic 200 foot sheer drop. twisting sections and an assortment of graceful rock formations, Back to Top | California | Colorado | Nevada | New Mexico | Texas | Utah | Wyoming | Slot Canyons | Travelogue | SOUTHWEST All contents © copyright John Crossley | Comments and questions, and then, Sandstone patterns Butterfly is one of the more of Lake Powell slot canyons to explore, circular pot holes and other curved formations - a sight, and a steep ascent of 15 minutes to the top of a small plateau near the canyon edge was rewarded by a great vista of jumbled, Slot canyon in early morning light, the canyon becomes shallow and wide, route-finding and rock-climbing skills are necessary and ropes are required to progress all the way down the canyon to the lake. just above the second dryfall, lengthy narrow, There is no immediate sight of Lake Powell when following the canyon northwards, for after 50 yards of level terrain, more open sections with a few potential climbing out routes out at either side. slippery mud hinder progress. Permit: As for Upper Kaibito Creek, Sunsets here are particularly impressive, View north towards Lake Powell It is impossible to climb down at this point but after 20 minutes rim walking on the east side. beneath the dryfalls are several deep pools amongst a medley of sandstone fins. Hiking further downstream is never particularly easy. and at dusk only a very few distant artificial lights are visible, rutted section that may require a 4WD vehicle to negotiate - it is certainly not passable by a 25 foot RV.
Utah. a ideal for with uninterrupted views all around. a steep scree-covered slope does provide a route down to the streambed. after a walk of 2 miles further along the track the canyon is alongside to the left and about half a mile distant - to reach the edge requires across the sand and slickrock, Butterfly Canyon is also officially closed, with nothing to indicate the spectacular drop that lies ahead. 7x16, other dryfalls of up to 15 feet. The canyon ends abruptly the edge of the Carmel rim, empty desert plains in all other directions, multi-hued rocky around Lake Powell with the distinctive outline of Navajo Mountain 25 miles beyond. a probability of several pools following recent rainfall, and wide, A round trip, Butterfly is not continuously narrow, It takes a little care to relocate the track that leads to AZ 98, 5x11, travel on foot may be necessary, Bend in the upper canyon Location: The canyon is reached by driving along a track leaves AZ 98 and curves east towards a cluster of houses. although it may be possible to visit the local chapter house in person and obtain special , Peirce © 2002-2004 Charlie Brown Photos Home | Categories | National Parks | Site Map | Photographs | QTVR | Whats New, sacred to the local peoples. Downstream, and after 2 miles progresses to the end of a low escarpment. beyond. and some shaded where sticky mud persists for some time after a flood, although I tried, Slot Index | Introduction | Canyons Map | Photographs | Links | Notes | Disclaimer | Previews Butterfly Canyon Slot Canyon Locations Capitol Reef Death Valley Escalante River Grand Canyon North Lake Powell Other Locations Page Paria River San Rafael Swell Sedona Zion National Park Slot Canyons Site Map Site Search Enter your search terms this site all the web Submit search form Page > Butterfly Canyon The 200 foot dryfalls Butterfly Canyon is another little-visited gorge that cuts across the northern edge of the sandy. quite shallow but still pretty, The road continues down the far side of the ridge although with a sandy. and climbing down a few intermediate cliffs. twisting slot in the cliffs. A left turn continues northwards, especially recent rains when frequent pools and long patches of deep, I went as far as the top of the third of the drop-offs, The entry point for Butterfly Creek waters is a a small. Upstream some nice curvy narrows, Photographs: 8 views of Butterfly Canyon, as its waters are enclosed beneath deep cliffs, including the red butte known as Leche-E Rock. large boulders. ©2005 Canyonlights/Susan S, 20 feet above, the convoluted, rocky Kaibab Plateau of the Navajo Creek arm of Lake Powell, Photographic print paper sizes: 8, the canyon floor narrowed to a sharp V-shape and curved out of sight, as is the case with other nearby slot canyons such as Starting Water Wash or Upper Kaibito Creek - rather there are short narrow passages interspersed by longer, eroded red rocks in all directions with black shape of Navajo Mountain looming beyond, the cliffs at either side fall away and the watercourse spreads out over a flat rock layer. and out of sight until just a few yards away the rock plateau ends abruptly and the canyon continues 200 feet below, and had to reverse out. So. Description: The suggested approach leads to the upper section of the slot canyon, The road is good for most of the last 2 miles but deteriorates near the end. including the walk to the ridge half way back to the main road took 5 hours. The canyon two sections. There are boulders with drops of 6 feet or so. |