White Canyon catches the drainage off the south side of Bears Ears and Elk Ridge west of Bears Ears. It is the main drainage into the north of Lake Powell near Hite Marina. It has been carved long and deep and can only be exited at a few points. Fortunately, we didn't need any of those exits!
Key segments:
START: White Canyon splits into two forks near Deer Flat Road. Each of them is named White Canyon depending on which app/map is used. We chose to start atop the one also called Burch Canyon because the drop-in is less technical. We started at the intersection of Burch Canyon and Deer Flat Road about 4pm on 9/11/26.
Above Natural Bridges: There are a couple dryfalls that need to be bypassed, the first was bypassed canyon left without extra gear. A second bypass canyon right required a hand line to feel safe. There are some entrenched slots thereafter but all easily bypassed without gear.
Natural Bridges National Monument: Very scenic here near sundown. We passed under Sipapu then Kachina Bridge
Below Natural Bridges: This was timed to be in the dark as it would be the least technical and least wet. Light rain. Some wayfinding because the main channel had many puddles and mud to avoid.
Supply Drops: We had a breakfast supply drop at Soldier Crossing. Then another wet gear drop at Duckett Crossing.
Black Hole: Most narrow / slot canyon area. Conditions can be unpredictable. In our case, there were no log jams or foam, just a lot of swimming due to recent monsoon storm water. There is always some swimming required in this area, and basic canyoneering. But no ropes required if conditions are good.
Below Black Hole: Thought the rest would be quite easy, but I had forgotten that the boulder gardens in this stretch go on for miles. Slow pace due to wayfinding around, under, over, and between boulders. And we were kinda tired.
END: White Canyon opens up and allows one last vehicle crossing (depending on the vehicle) at County Road 2111. This is near where Lake Powell shore would be at full pool. For logistics reasons, it was best to plan the end here, where White Canyon was more of a valley than a canyon anyway. We finished about 26.5 hours after start, about 630pm.
Conditions: Recent monsoons made silty water easily available. Too available. Much of our time was spent avoiding mud or water to prevent blisters. You could definitely find a drier time to make this route faster, but availability of water would then be questionable.
