Itinerary -
8:30 -9:30 set up shuttle
9:30- 3:30 run canyon
3:30 - 4:30 shuttle back
4:30 - 8:30 drive home
Directions - Entrance (Birch Hollow Trailhead); Exit (Orderville)
Activity -
8 rappels to 105 ft Trip Report (Road Trip Ryan)
From the trailhead, follow the obvious and well traveled trail to the bottom of Birch and head down canyon.
In 30 minutes or so, a dryfall is reached. This falls is particularly loose, and easily bypassed via a trail just to the left. Some rappel, but the bypass is recommended. The canyon begins to deepen and narrow.
Rappel 1 is about 18 m ( 60 ft. ) and is overhanging.
Rappel 2 and 3 are about 8 m ( 27 ft. ). A downclimb before rappel 2 may be rappelled by beginners, but is fairly straight foward.
Rappel 4 is about 32 m ( 105 ft. ) is the biggest in the canyon and marks the start of the best section. Be sure your rope reaches. An easy trick is to bring a 60 m ( 197 ft. ) rope and 10 m ( 33 ft. ) of webbing. Rappel single strand and use the webbing to extend the pull side as needed.
The final rappels come in quick succession. Rappel 5 and 6 are both about 9 m ( 30 ft. ), and rappels 7 and 8 are both about 18 m ( 60 ft. ). The bottom of rappel 8 is the confluence of Orderville and Birch.
Orderville Exit (Recommended)
Head up Orderville, following the use trail. It turns into an old road that is followed back to the North Fork Road and exit trailhead. Expect about and hour or a little more from Birch to the exit trailhead. (Road Trip Ryan)
Gear - harness (can rent), helmet (can rent), rappel device (ATS, Squirrl, Critter, etc), locking carabiners, (NO COTTON) thin liner T-shirt, hiking pants, fleece jacket, rain/windproof jacket, hiking boots or grippy shoes, headlamp, backpack, 2 L water, 6-8 snacks, first aid kit, small knife, sunscreen, sunglasses, 3 65 m 8-9mm static ropes w rope bags, repeads, webbing.
Rentals (on your own) - Harness: $5/day (BYU Outdoors Unltd); $17 (BYU Outdoors Unltd)
Helmet: $4/day (BYU Outdoors Unltd); $4/day (UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)
Hike In
Rappel 1
2nd Rappel
Rappel 3
Rappel 4
Rappel 5
Rappel 6
Rappel 7
Rappel 8
Hike Out