After glancing through the many "new" canyons described in Kelsey's new guide, only a couple really stood out to me as interesting. One of those was definitely the Lost Park complex. It appeared to be fairly long (instead of the many 3 hour canyons), mentioned some pretty nice slots, some petroglyphs, and what looked to be some very pretty pictures.
Upon reviewing a few options, Eric and I were both in agreement that we'd check out Lost Park on the first day. Unfortunately, we grossly overestimated our ability to read between the lines and really figure out what MRK was trying to say. What's more, I'm not much of one to use a GPS for navigation, and so we set out with his book in one hand, and a printed topo in the other.
After a very minor navigational error had us overshoot the little drainage with the "2nd best slot," we dropped in to another drainage. Without it ever really slotting, we found ourselves at a couple of small downclimbs and into what Kelsey calls the "Moki Hole." We seriously overestimated the scale of this thing. About 90 minutes into the hike, and we were already basically at the last sequence.
The author mentions the Moki Hole as a potential rappel. We found it to be a straightforward downclimb, though a pack wedged behind can easily provide support for those so inclined. The Moki Hole is an interesting spot, but nothing spectacular. We found a bit of water there, and spotted a few of the cowboyglyphs, and a couple of very faint petroglyphs. It is also here you can cache a few things if you don't want to take them through the rest of the canyon.
Shortly thereafter, the canyon drops and turns into the "best slot." It is a very mild PG slot, with some stemming and squeezing. The bottom falls out, revealing some photogenic curves, and easy but entertaining down climbs.
The very last 100 yards or so of the canyon held significant water, about knee deep for us. The last pool leads right to the final rappel, of around 60 feet. The same anchor material was still present as described in Kelsey's beta. There is a nice flake about 8 feet back of the lip, which looked pretty solid. The previous group had also backed the flake up with a knot chock to the left, looking down canyon. Both anchors were well placed and in good condition, but could change rapidly in the future. Best to be well prepared to build natural anchors here.
From the bottom of the last (and only) rappel, it is a bit of a navigational trial and error. We made ourselves around the corner, and up into the first little minor drainage that enters the main watercourse. Climbed up on the left side, looking up canyon, crossed over the dry fall, and then did some minor routefinding back to the Moki Hole.
Of course, we had missed the "2nd best slot" on the way in, so we opted to find it on the way back out, and upclimb the slot, then retrace our steps back to the car. Made for a nice little upclimb. Once back at the rim, we continually turned around to note the features for routefinding purposes. Therein lies the most difficult aspect of the canyon; getting into the correct upper drainage. A mistake of a few hundred yards and you miss half of it. Best take a map and compass, or one of those fancy GPS things to get there more quickly.
Rountrip, we made it back to the car in about 6.5 hours, despite our terrible routefinding. It was an interesting canyon, worthy of seeing once. Would I do it again? Yeah, maybe. At the very least, I might go back and get the SPOT that Eric left in the sand at the bottom of the last rappel.
Lost Park - Bluejohn - E. Water - Low Spur - Smallcatraz - Li'l Bull - Chambers
