rcwild
06-25-2008, 08:05 AM
A fun, but all too short technical canyon in the San Rafael. Easily accessible and a good time.
Rating: 3B III
Time Required: ~6-8 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~30 Feet
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
Primitive camping in the trailhead area
Preferred Season
Spring to autumn, when rain isn't threatening. Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Up to waist deep wading, potentially water filled potholes and perhaps a short swim
Special Challenges
At certain water levels the pothole can be difficult to overcome
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), at least 60’ rope, ~ 35 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, pothole escape kit
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' Maps ‘Greasewood Draw’, ‘Arsons Garden’, ‘Old Woman Wash’ absolutely required for route finding.
Directions to Trailhead
Take Highway 24 either from Hanksville or I-70 to mile marker 148. There is a cattle guard between marker 147 and 148 and dirt road heading west, take it for about a mile and you will see a corral. Those with poor vehicle clearance should park here, others can continue down the road about a half mile and park in a big tamarisk grove where the road crosses Iron Wash.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Hike up (south) Iron Wash. After a 0.6 miles or so, turn right (west) into the North Fork. Hike onto the northern (right, looking up canyon) rim to avoid a nifty big dryfall further up the North Fork. Above the big dryfall head back into the North Fork wash and continue upstream. After you pass the base of pt 4663, the wash turns west (right, looking up stream) and heads into the reef. Instead of following it, keep going straight into a small drainage. Route find your way up onto the reef and head westward until you reach the rim of the North Fork of Iron Wash (in the vicinity of pt 4948 on the topo map). Follow the rim of the canyon until it turns northwest, near point 4925T. Continue following the rim northwestward, around some slickrock domes. You'll see the tightest slot of the North Fork to your right. You'll see an open area to the canyon upstream where several forks meet, and this is your goal. Routefind your way down into this open area and reach the floor of the North Fork (a non-technical route down may take a little searching, though there are cairns in this area). This spot is approximately 0.6 miles of hiking along the canyon's south rim from point 4925T. Once off of the reef you can see the slot canyon of the North Fork immediately downstream. Head into it.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
UTM 12 540719E 4288785N
Description: Standard Route
Some downclimbs, a rappel or two (with bolts). Enjoy some fun pools that may have water. The canyon then gets very dark, and you reach a deep pothole. In high water you can swim across. If you are 5'10" or taller you can perform a full body stem across it (scary if the water is low). Other people climb up ledges to reach a log 30 feet above and just past the pothole, and then rappel down. The canyon opens a bit past this point but there is still some fun scrambling and shallow potholes to negotiate.
Variations
You can hike up to the big pothole from the bottom if you don't feel like doing anything technical. Very beautiful year round.
Exit
After the slot, continue hiking downcanyon, encased in the North Fork's soaring walls. After it exits the reef, head right (east) until you reach the base of pt 4663, and then retrace your entry route back to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Rating: 3B III
Time Required: ~6-8 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~30 Feet
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
Primitive camping in the trailhead area
Preferred Season
Spring to autumn, when rain isn't threatening. Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Up to waist deep wading, potentially water filled potholes and perhaps a short swim
Special Challenges
At certain water levels the pothole can be difficult to overcome
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), at least 60’ rope, ~ 35 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, pothole escape kit
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' Maps ‘Greasewood Draw’, ‘Arsons Garden’, ‘Old Woman Wash’ absolutely required for route finding.
Directions to Trailhead
Take Highway 24 either from Hanksville or I-70 to mile marker 148. There is a cattle guard between marker 147 and 148 and dirt road heading west, take it for about a mile and you will see a corral. Those with poor vehicle clearance should park here, others can continue down the road about a half mile and park in a big tamarisk grove where the road crosses Iron Wash.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Hike up (south) Iron Wash. After a 0.6 miles or so, turn right (west) into the North Fork. Hike onto the northern (right, looking up canyon) rim to avoid a nifty big dryfall further up the North Fork. Above the big dryfall head back into the North Fork wash and continue upstream. After you pass the base of pt 4663, the wash turns west (right, looking up stream) and heads into the reef. Instead of following it, keep going straight into a small drainage. Route find your way up onto the reef and head westward until you reach the rim of the North Fork of Iron Wash (in the vicinity of pt 4948 on the topo map). Follow the rim of the canyon until it turns northwest, near point 4925T. Continue following the rim northwestward, around some slickrock domes. You'll see the tightest slot of the North Fork to your right. You'll see an open area to the canyon upstream where several forks meet, and this is your goal. Routefind your way down into this open area and reach the floor of the North Fork (a non-technical route down may take a little searching, though there are cairns in this area). This spot is approximately 0.6 miles of hiking along the canyon's south rim from point 4925T. Once off of the reef you can see the slot canyon of the North Fork immediately downstream. Head into it.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
UTM 12 540719E 4288785N
Description: Standard Route
Some downclimbs, a rappel or two (with bolts). Enjoy some fun pools that may have water. The canyon then gets very dark, and you reach a deep pothole. In high water you can swim across. If you are 5'10" or taller you can perform a full body stem across it (scary if the water is low). Other people climb up ledges to reach a log 30 feet above and just past the pothole, and then rappel down. The canyon opens a bit past this point but there is still some fun scrambling and shallow potholes to negotiate.
Variations
You can hike up to the big pothole from the bottom if you don't feel like doing anything technical. Very beautiful year round.
Exit
After the slot, continue hiking downcanyon, encased in the North Fork's soaring walls. After it exits the reef, head right (east) until you reach the base of pt 4663, and then retrace your entry route back to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -