rcwild
06-07-2008, 01:08 PM
A great introduction to technical canyons in the San Rafel Swell. The standard variation is a good choice for intermediate canyoneers. The Direct is a more challenging option requiring advanced skills in anchors and keeper pothole negotiation.
Rating: 3B II or III
Time Required: 5-10 hours
Longest Rappel:
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
There is excellent camping on the abandoned airstrip at Hidden Splendor.
Preferred Season
Spring (March - May) and Fall (September - November). Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
wet/drysuit for spring or fall
Special Challenges
The Standard Quandary is fairly straight forward and suitable for those with intermediate skill level. The Direct presents considerably greater challenge and should only be attempted by people experienced in dealing with deep keeper potholes.
Equipment Suggestions
One 50m rope, webbing and rapid links, wet suit, pothole escape kit, standard canyon kit.
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' topo Hunt Draw Quadrangle, USGS 1:100,000-scale metric Hanksville/San Rafel Desert, Trails Illustrated San Rafel Swell.
Directions to Trailhead
From Green River go west on I-70 to Exit 147. Take Utah Hwy. 24 west toward Hanksville. This road parallels the San Rafel Reef on your right. After about 27 miles you will come to the Temple Mountain Road junction. Turn right on the Temple Mountain Road heading directly into the Reef. Pass the turn off to Goblin Valley on your left and continue past the end of the paved road and on through the Reef. The Temple Mountain Road runs northwest passing Flat Top (pt. 6480) on your left to a fork in the road at Taylor Flat. Take the left fork. After about four miles you will meet another road coming in from the right at Tan Seep. Stay left again. After about another mile you will come to yet another fork. Family Butte (pt. 7393) dominates the skyline in front of you. Stay left here and follow this road about ten miles across McKay Flat. At the next intersection one option takes you right to Tomsich Butte and Reds Canyon. However, you want to go left one more time and follow this winding road another fifteen miles or so down to the air strip at the old Hidden Splendor Mine.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
Approach
A little over two miles back up the Hidden Splendor Road from the air strip is a dirt track heading southeast just north of the nose of pt. 6245T. This dirt track stops roughly near an old wrecked car in the wash above Ramp Canyon. Follow the trail/mining road west from here winding along the eastern flank of pt. 6245T and through a small pass. This pass drops you into the head of Quandary Canyon. (The approach to Knotted Rope or Miner's Hollow is up a steep, loose gully to your right.) Head down canyon past a pretty natural bridge and into Quandary.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
Description: Standard Route
Narrows, down-climbs, rappels and potholes with some fourth class scrambling and down-climbing near the end.
After the third rappel but before the fourth the canyon opens a bit and you will see a gully climbing up to the left (the canyon fork is clearly visible on the Hunt Draw Quadrangle north of pt. 5363T). If you get to the fourth rappel you've gone too far. Take this gully up and descend ledges and slabs back into the main canyon.
Description: Quandary Direct
The Direct route will challenge your anchoring and keeper pothole escape skills. This choice should be avoided unless your skill level is up to the task. Take the right fork (just north of pt.5363T)and you will quickly come to the fourth rappel. The Direct continues from here.
Exit
When Quandary Canyon spits you out into the unnamed wash east of the reef strike left and follow this wash upstream a little less than two miles to the mouth of Ramp Canyon (at pt. 5650T). This "badlands" can be confusing and difficult to negotiate. Careful map reading however will allow you to avoid unnecessary explorations. Ascend Ramp Canyon (5.4-5.6 climbing at the "Ramp")to your car.
or ...
Head down the wash to Muddy Creek and walk back up through the Grand Gorge of Muddy Creek to Hidden Splendor.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
Rating: 3B II or III
Time Required: 5-10 hours
Longest Rappel:
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
There is excellent camping on the abandoned airstrip at Hidden Splendor.
Preferred Season
Spring (March - May) and Fall (September - November). Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
wet/drysuit for spring or fall
Special Challenges
The Standard Quandary is fairly straight forward and suitable for those with intermediate skill level. The Direct presents considerably greater challenge and should only be attempted by people experienced in dealing with deep keeper potholes.
Equipment Suggestions
One 50m rope, webbing and rapid links, wet suit, pothole escape kit, standard canyon kit.
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' topo Hunt Draw Quadrangle, USGS 1:100,000-scale metric Hanksville/San Rafel Desert, Trails Illustrated San Rafel Swell.
Directions to Trailhead
From Green River go west on I-70 to Exit 147. Take Utah Hwy. 24 west toward Hanksville. This road parallels the San Rafel Reef on your right. After about 27 miles you will come to the Temple Mountain Road junction. Turn right on the Temple Mountain Road heading directly into the Reef. Pass the turn off to Goblin Valley on your left and continue past the end of the paved road and on through the Reef. The Temple Mountain Road runs northwest passing Flat Top (pt. 6480) on your left to a fork in the road at Taylor Flat. Take the left fork. After about four miles you will meet another road coming in from the right at Tan Seep. Stay left again. After about another mile you will come to yet another fork. Family Butte (pt. 7393) dominates the skyline in front of you. Stay left here and follow this road about ten miles across McKay Flat. At the next intersection one option takes you right to Tomsich Butte and Reds Canyon. However, you want to go left one more time and follow this winding road another fifteen miles or so down to the air strip at the old Hidden Splendor Mine.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
Approach
A little over two miles back up the Hidden Splendor Road from the air strip is a dirt track heading southeast just north of the nose of pt. 6245T. This dirt track stops roughly near an old wrecked car in the wash above Ramp Canyon. Follow the trail/mining road west from here winding along the eastern flank of pt. 6245T and through a small pass. This pass drops you into the head of Quandary Canyon. (The approach to Knotted Rope or Miner's Hollow is up a steep, loose gully to your right.) Head down canyon past a pretty natural bridge and into Quandary.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
Description: Standard Route
Narrows, down-climbs, rappels and potholes with some fourth class scrambling and down-climbing near the end.
After the third rappel but before the fourth the canyon opens a bit and you will see a gully climbing up to the left (the canyon fork is clearly visible on the Hunt Draw Quadrangle north of pt. 5363T). If you get to the fourth rappel you've gone too far. Take this gully up and descend ledges and slabs back into the main canyon.
Description: Quandary Direct
The Direct route will challenge your anchoring and keeper pothole escape skills. This choice should be avoided unless your skill level is up to the task. Take the right fork (just north of pt.5363T)and you will quickly come to the fourth rappel. The Direct continues from here.
Exit
When Quandary Canyon spits you out into the unnamed wash east of the reef strike left and follow this wash upstream a little less than two miles to the mouth of Ramp Canyon (at pt. 5650T). This "badlands" can be confusing and difficult to negotiate. Careful map reading however will allow you to avoid unnecessary explorations. Ascend Ramp Canyon (5.4-5.6 climbing at the "Ramp")to your car.
or ...
Head down the wash to Muddy Creek and walk back up through the Grand Gorge of Muddy Creek to Hidden Splendor.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate