WHITE CANYON AND THE BLACK HOLE

This is a popular technical day-hike that has a number of photographic opportunities.  These are enhanced by the permanent water in the canyon.  An experienced chimneyer can get through without rappel gear, though this will require careful scouting for safe ways around and down some large chokestones.  I did this trek solo and had to jump about 6 feet once, after lowering my pack down on a cord.  I hate jumping because you can get hurt, and it's possible you may NOT be able to up-climb to escape if you get stuck below (by a blockage caused by a recent flash flood, for example).  Therefore, if going alone certainly take a 10 - 20m rope to set up as a hand-line.  In a group do the same to help in going down some of the chutes.

Exiting the Black Hole Canyon can be dicey if you miss the easy way.  Assuming you have parked your car at MP55, I suggest the following.  After you get through narrows look for an arch high on the right, then look for a narrow sidecanyon coming in on the left.  The purported tough (but fun for some, I suppose) 5'th class climb-out of this canyon is described in Tom's Guide.  Rather, proceed downcanyon about 200 yards further. Look for a large diameter, vertical, cylindrical column on the left (Left Looking Down Canyon), whose base is about 100 feet above the floor. Work your way up the ledges to the left of this column, then head downcanyon, angling up slightly past the base of the column and around the next outcrop. Just beyond is a seam heading up and to the left that goes all the way to the top. Scramble up this to your car at MP55.  The exit shouldn't take more than about 30 minutes.  To use this exit you will need to leave your car here and get up to MP57 to start the hike by walking, riding a bike (my way), hitching, or having a second car. 

Photographically, the Black Hole lives true to its name and is one of the dimmest places you may encounter.  A tripod is required.  Getting action shots of swimmers without using flash will only be possible near the beginning and end of the long pools, or in the numerous short swimmers that are encountered in the more open, often directly lit, portions of the canyon just past the Black Hole narrows. 

This is truly one of the most spectacular day-hike to be had in the world of canyoneering.  While there are not any wild rappels, chimneying into deep pools with long swims through towering fins and columns more than makes one's day!!

Refs:  A reasonable sketch map and description of the lower canyon is given by  Kelsey, " Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau", Kelsey Publishing, 1999.  Another good discussion with a real map can by found in Tom's Guide: http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/cedar/balckh.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.