Raven
Last Candition: April 12, 2011
One exceptional and tall downclimber stayed dry. I'm decent at stemming and got wet up to crotch-height in a couple wades near the end.
The big silo had water in the bottom with no reachable features above the water; don't plan on climbing down into the silo and back out. The big silo crossing can be protected with a secure meat belay from someone wedged in the slot prior. It's easy to cross once you step on the ledge on the right.
Partner assists into dry potholes necessary for all but exceptional downclimbers.
The walls will eat your clothes.
This canyon took us the entire day and left us pretty tired. The most difficult and longest section of stemming took us an hour to move through, without touching ground and at times 40' off the ground. After that, 3 dry or near dry potholes took some work to engineer through. Total time about 8 hours. One person got wet up to mid shin.
Nothing much to add to the previous report except that it appears to have been intended for Headless Hen (and vice versa).
Water was low and wetsuits definitely not needed. Just over 2 hrs for three of us.
Canyon is in good shape. Several potholes. Some 15 feet deep or so. If you're really tall (I'm 6'4) you can stem across with some skill. Water was very cold, one pothole had water up to my neck. Wetsuit suggested. I would also recommend group size of 4 at least, to ensure one person is out before all are committed into the series. Multiple potshots needed. A webbing ladder came in very handy as well.
Road in generally OK shape, but there is one tough high clearance crossing at ~100 yards from hole in the rock road. Past that is easier to drive. Canyon is dry except one section (ankle deep) where a partner assist is needed.
There wasn't much water in this canyon until we got to the potholes. If going through them instead of over a wetsuit is recommended as the water is very cold.
Water knee deep in a few places, no need for wetsuits.