Canyoneering - Tier Drop Canyon, Arches NP 3/15/25

Itinerary: (can sleep over on BLM land as well)

8:30 am - enter Arches NP

9:00- 1pm -First Canyon (U Turn)

1-5pm - Second Canyon (Tier Drop)

6pm - Dinner Green River or Moab

7-11 pm - Drive home

Directions: Park Avenue Trailhead, Arches NP

Cost: $ 30 Arches NP Pass (free if you have a National Parks Pass) per vehicle

 $6 canyon permit - Recreation.gov starting at 8:00 am MST the day before your trip

Activity:  Both canyons have the same access hike in. Start WEST of the parkinglot and hike along the road for about 5 min and then you will see a small sign indicating the trail to the north that will take you to a crack in the plateu that you can scramble up. It is steep and takes about 20-30 min. Then you are at the top of all three canyons (U Turn, Not Tier Drop, Tier Drop - we recommend doing Not Tier Drop as it's own trip since it takes about 3-4 hours while the other two take 2-3 hours)

Canyoneering - Tier Drop - The furthest canyon to the north. 1.5 mile loop. These rappels are all in quick succession with a 20-30 min tricky hike out to the trailhead.

Rappel 1 - bolted on the left. 50 ft sloped

Rappel 2 - bolted on the left. 100 ft sloped (70 m rope was perfect)

Rappel 3 - bolted with massive chain on the far right above the plateau. 100 ft straight drop with mostly free hanging rappel. USE FRICTION. Watch the pull as the rope grooves are getting deep. (70 m rope was perfect)

Hike out following the countour of the drainage to the left to the next small drainage and then follow it east and then to the north until you see a huge slice "tier drop" in the rock to the north and this is where you hike down off the plateau. About 20 min hike down the drainage to the Park Avenue trail and head south to the parking lot. Road Trip Ryan Tier Drop Trip Report 

Gear: Rappel device with ability to lock off and add friction (ATS, Totem, Critter, Prana), locking carabiner, harness (can rent), helmet (can rent), (NO COTTON) thin liner short sleeve shirt, hiking pants, rain/windproof jacket, shoes with grip, headlamp, 2 L water, 4-6 snacks + packed lunch, first aid kit, small knife, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat

Approach

On top

Rappel 1

Rappel 2

Rappel 3