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Snowfall and Kayaking for 2007
The snow levels in the Escalante drainage are are
the key for a spring run-off on the Escalante River. Keep an eye on
the snow pack at monitoring site
Widstoe #3 We'll
post updates here as winter proceeds. March is generally the telling
month. If we get good snowfall up high in the drainage, we'll have a
good runoff. The snow pack needs to be at least average for a good
flow.
The 2006 kayaking season was anemic, however, 2005
was a historic flow year. Backpacker Magazine ran a good article on
that season in their May 2006 issue.
Receding Powell Reservoir Reveals
Glen Canyon Grandeur
In contrast with the kayakers, Glen Canyon hikers
are hoping for more drought and no snow pack further draining Powell
Reservoir. The diminishing water levels could
present hikers with a gift this spring, the long lost wonders of Glen
Canyon. Some of the most amazing natural wonders of the Colorado Plateau
could reveal themselves for a brief window this spring before water levels
begin to rise in June. Here are a few links to stories that will surely make you want
to get out into the canyons.
New York Times, April 8, 2005:
Cathedral in the Desert
Great Photos of Glen Canyon, pre-lake:
www.glencanyon.org
www.cathedralinthedesert.org
Track the reservoir's level
here. The spillway is at 3700 feet. The reservoir needs to be at
least 150 to 155 feet low to fully reveal the Cathedral in the Desert.
No Dogs In Coyote Gulch
As of April 1, 2005, no dogs are allowed in Coyote Gulch.
The Park Service has indicated that visitation in this canyon has increased
to a point that dogs have started to become a problem. It's probably not
a dog problem but a irresponsible dog owner problem. All dogs must be
leashed on all other parts of the monument and rec area; however, hardly
anybody complies with this regulation and so they ban dogs altogether.
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New Visitor Center Opens
There has been a lot of construction going on at the
new Interagency Visitor Center in Escalante. A beautiful new facility
has been completed just west of town. Now open, the new facility offers
visitor information for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen
Canyon National Recreation Area, and Dixie National Forest. If you haven't
been to Escalante lately you may be shocked to see all the changes going
on in this quiet little town.
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