Dwayne27
11-19-2008, 06:18 PM
A fun canyon full of downclimbing in the Posion Springs area.
Rating: 3A III
Time Required: ~4-6 hrs
Longest Rappel: ~60 feet
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
Plenty of primitive camping near the trailhead. Sandthrax campground is just south of mile marker 28 on hwy 95
Preferred Season
Spring and fall. Summer OK but can be hot
Water Concerns
Canyon will likely be dry, with perhaps some brief wading.
Special Challenges
Natural anchor skills. Lots of somewhat challenging downclimbing, but easy to spot
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 150’ rope, ~ 50 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, bring as small of a pack as possible, extra layers of clothes for padding
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' 'Turkey Knob'
Directions to Trailhead
Head south on Hwy 95 from Hanksville. Just after mile marker 20, and dirt road comes in from either side of 95. Head east for about 5.8 miles. The main road veers right, but take the left fork .3 miles until the road dips and hits a wash. There are many trees in the area, and some room to pull off the road and park. N38 05.548 W110 31.546 - This is the trailhead for Arscenic, Slideanie, and Constrychnine
Approach
Head northeast for about .75 miles making your way through the desert until you cross the Slideanide drainage.
Description: Standard Route
From the drainage, head down canyon to shortly find the head of the slot N38 06.100 W110 31.222. There is a short downclimb to anchor a rappel, or there is a way around the entry rappel by following the rim until you can find a way to the canyon bottom. From here, downclimb or rappel each drop you come to. It is a good canyon to use human anchors and leave the strongest downclimber last. It also shouldnt be too difficult to construct a natural anchor if needed. The last rappel is in a very dark, windy, and beatiful section. Downclimb as far as you are comfortable, and you should find a chockstone with webbing around it to anchor the last section for a short rappel out of an amazing crack in the wall.
Exit
Once out of the final rappel- head down canyon. You will pass Constrychnine as the first canyon coming in on your right. Two more side canyons on the right, and there will be a weakness on the left. This is about .3 miles past the intersection of Slideanide and Constrychine (N38 06.542 W110 31.506). Make your way up the slickrock here. If you are careful, you'll be able to find your way without any difficult moves or exposure. Once on the canyon rim, you can rim walk back towards the Slideanide drainage, or head south to find the head of Arscenic, and from there head south, southeast to the road and your car. That is a more direct route.
Variations
The third side canyon on the exit route can be upclimbed although it is difficult, akward and exposed. You can also continue down this drainage until you hit a larger drainage, head left, and after about 1 mile, turn up another drainage you cross- Arscenic. After a few yards, there is a large tree near an area to climb out of the canyon bottom and make your way to the rim.
Rating: 3A III
Time Required: ~4-6 hrs
Longest Rappel: ~60 feet
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
Plenty of primitive camping near the trailhead. Sandthrax campground is just south of mile marker 28 on hwy 95
Preferred Season
Spring and fall. Summer OK but can be hot
Water Concerns
Canyon will likely be dry, with perhaps some brief wading.
Special Challenges
Natural anchor skills. Lots of somewhat challenging downclimbing, but easy to spot
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 150’ rope, ~ 50 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, bring as small of a pack as possible, extra layers of clothes for padding
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' 'Turkey Knob'
Directions to Trailhead
Head south on Hwy 95 from Hanksville. Just after mile marker 20, and dirt road comes in from either side of 95. Head east for about 5.8 miles. The main road veers right, but take the left fork .3 miles until the road dips and hits a wash. There are many trees in the area, and some room to pull off the road and park. N38 05.548 W110 31.546 - This is the trailhead for Arscenic, Slideanie, and Constrychnine
Approach
Head northeast for about .75 miles making your way through the desert until you cross the Slideanide drainage.
Description: Standard Route
From the drainage, head down canyon to shortly find the head of the slot N38 06.100 W110 31.222. There is a short downclimb to anchor a rappel, or there is a way around the entry rappel by following the rim until you can find a way to the canyon bottom. From here, downclimb or rappel each drop you come to. It is a good canyon to use human anchors and leave the strongest downclimber last. It also shouldnt be too difficult to construct a natural anchor if needed. The last rappel is in a very dark, windy, and beatiful section. Downclimb as far as you are comfortable, and you should find a chockstone with webbing around it to anchor the last section for a short rappel out of an amazing crack in the wall.
Exit
Once out of the final rappel- head down canyon. You will pass Constrychnine as the first canyon coming in on your right. Two more side canyons on the right, and there will be a weakness on the left. This is about .3 miles past the intersection of Slideanide and Constrychine (N38 06.542 W110 31.506). Make your way up the slickrock here. If you are careful, you'll be able to find your way without any difficult moves or exposure. Once on the canyon rim, you can rim walk back towards the Slideanide drainage, or head south to find the head of Arscenic, and from there head south, southeast to the road and your car. That is a more direct route.
Variations
The third side canyon on the exit route can be upclimbed although it is difficult, akward and exposed. You can also continue down this drainage until you hit a larger drainage, head left, and after about 1 mile, turn up another drainage you cross- Arscenic. After a few yards, there is a large tree near an area to climb out of the canyon bottom and make your way to the rim.