QUANDARY and RAMP CANYONS

Quandary Canyon is located on the San Rafael Reef, with its head near the Hidden Splendor Mine.  It offers a modest technical loop hike combining with Ramp Canyon (down Quandary, up Ramp), which can be extended into a serious technical thrash by taking the "direct" route down through a steep section of very deep potholes (keepers!) in Quandary.  These can be avoided on the "normal" route by climbing up to the left and going around the nasty part (recommended for all but the most experienced).  

These two canyons have a lot of photogenic features, including a nice arch, good potholes (awesome on Quandary Direct), nicely colored V's, some good overlooks on the normal route, and a very colorful and sculpted narrows going up Ramp Canyon.  In fact, I found this latter canyon the more photogenic of the two.  It has small potholes to practice in, nicely convoluted narrows, tall vertical walls, and some picturable dryfalls.  Ramp could be explored on a semi-technical day hike either by going down and back, or by going down Cistern and up ramp.  There is one steep ledge, "The Ramp", to climb up in Ramp Canyon.  We found it pretty easy, even with large packs full of cameras, tripods, cheaterpoles, drysuits, etc., but PEOPLE HAVE FALLEN HERE.  Take a 30m rope to belay beginners, especially if you are going down Ramp Canyon.

You might get by without a tripod.  Most sections are pretty wide and receive either diffuse or direct light.  If you leave the tripod behind, I suggest taking a fast film in the ASA 400 range.

The "Direct" section of very deep potholes, is passable ONLY by a team of experienced canyoneers with proper equipment and artificial anchor building skills.  Warning:  Getting through this section safely can be problematic and the degree of difficulty depends strongly on water conditions.

Refs.Kelsey, " Hiking and Exploring Utah's San rafael Swell", Kelsey Publishing, 1999.  A good discussion  of the technical aspects of Quandary, some horror stories, and printable topo maps can be found at http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/swell/quandary.htm

Disclaimer:  The goal of these trip notes is to suggest good photographic locations and what I consider pretty neat hikes.  These paragraphs should not be used as a canyoneering guide.  Seek out good maps and detailed information, and get properly prepared before entering any slot canyon.