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Canyoneering - Cassidy Arch, Capitol Reef NP 10/17/26

Writer: Emily Hacken
Emily Hacken
17 hours ago
2 min read

Sample Itinerary:

Carpool - 6:00 am

Drive (3 1/2 hr +) -6-9:30 am

Trailhead - 9:30 am

Set up Shuttle - 930-1030 am (1/2 mile exit from entrance - drop off one car)

Run Canyon - 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

Shuttle Back to Trailhead - 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Dinner - 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm (in Torrey, there are several great options, like Rock Reef Cafe and Slackburger)

Drive Home - 7:00 pm -11:30 pm


Directions: 

Entrance - Cassidy Arch Trailhead, Capitol Reef NP

Exit - Cassidy Arch Viewpoint

Camping - Dispursed camping options (free)


Activity: Canyoneering Birch Hollow - Road Trip Ryan Trip Report

  • Approach - Trail follows the Cassidy Arch Trail. Follows Grand Wash for about 0.3 miles to a junction. Go left and begin a steep ascent to the arch. Trail is generally easy to follow. At the final junction, go left and follow the cairns across slickrock to the top of the arch

  • Rappels -

    • Rappel 1 (the arch) - 132 ft (bolted anchor left of the tree - DON'T USE THE TREE)

    • Rappel 2 - 132 ft with bolts on right - steep slabs and then overhang to a cavern

    • Rappel 3 - 2 min hike. 23 ft

    • Rappel 4 - 23 ft through natural bridge

    • Rappel 5 - 40 ft

    • Rappel 6 - 7 ft downclimb followed by open canyon and then a 50 ft rappel through a natural bridge

    • Rappel 7 - 50 ft bolts. Cable assist across a traverse to anchor (don't take old carved steps and old bridge)

    • Rappel 8 - hike a bit to 40 ft rappel

  • Exit - follow a trail on the right (looking down canyon), that works its way under an overhang, then down the canyon to the road in Grand Wash.


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


Rentals:

Harness: ($6/day BYU Outdoors)

Helmet: ($4/day BYU Outdoors; $6/day UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)



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