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mountain man
11-03-2009, 09:10 PM
Because of the proximity to the Hwy 89 there is a lot of trash in the canyon including a chokestone car and a car engine that can be used as an anchor. No amazing slot canyon geological features. Not really worth it IMO. Maybe if you are in the area and need some time to kill.

Rating: 3A I
Time Required: 2-3 hours
Longest Rappel: less than 45ft

Camping/Lodging
City of Page is close by

Preferred Season
fall, spring, winter

Water Concerns
none it should drain quickly. Lake Powell water in the highest years may come close but should not make it to the slot.

Special Challenges
none

Equipment Suggestions
helmet, rope for a max rap of under 45ft, harness, webbing, quick links.

Directions to Trailhead
Trailhead located on Hwy 89 between Kanab and Page right after the town Big Water between mile post 4 & 3 closer to 4. If coming from the west (Big Water side), after crossing the bridge look for a pullout and rut dirt road on the right and park here.

Trailhead GPS Coordinate
approx N 37.03731 W 111.61674

Approach
Follow the road through the gate, close it and hike to the head of the slot because the canyon has a couple quick down climbs.

Canyon GPS Coordinate
approx N 37.03867 W 111.61840

Description
All but the last drop can be down climbed easily by a skilled canyoneer. If unable to down climb there are plenty of anchors (boulders, car engines, cars, oil barrels, etc) near the drops. The last drop is the only rappel (though it can be down climbed with exposure & high penalty points, be careful if you down climb because the drop bells, goes from tight to very wide) from 2 bolts and 2 pitons on the left LDC.

Exit
keep following the wash to the mouth of the canyon, make a left and find a weakness in the cliffs to regain the rim. I found it easier to follow a zigzagging pattern up the dryfall I found.

Canyon GPS Coordinate
approx N 37.04357 W 111.61243

Authors Experience
descended the canyon late April 2009. Found a dead fox and a dead coyote in the canyon and cleaned up lots of trash.

Other Sources
Todd's desert hiking guide

84x4bronco
09-06-2011, 12:49 AM
descended this canyon recently. a decent canyon to double up with its larger neighbor to the north. pulled some unnecessary bolts on opposing sides of the canyon (odd placements only) expect up to 3 rappels if you are not a solid downclimber. bolts at all locations with no pull issues.

possum
09-28-2011, 09:55 PM
howdy Clint,

any hints on beta for its neighbor? thanks.

randomhero87
11-28-2011, 11:14 AM
I did Blue Pools Wash at the end of September 2011. My buddy and I did the canyon with our ladies and it was their first technical canyon. I thought it was a fun little canyon. I thought there were some good little narrows and would be worth doing if you've got a couple hours. There are some moderate downclimbs. The first obstacle in the canyon is a chockstone old Thunderbird car wedged in the canyon that required a handline downclimb of about 10 feet into some quickie sand. Then there was a 20 foot or so rappel - there is an old car engine there but also several bolts on canyon left. Overhung and fun. Couple more mantles and such before you get to the 40 foot rappel with several bolts again, on canyon left. After that, the canyon opens up and you can get back to the car by going left and heading up the cliff and then overland back to the car. We did this canyon and then hiked to the toadstools west of Bigwater in a day. This canyon should take you maybe an hour and a half or 2. The girls slowed us down and took us about 3.

Stew

mountain man
12-04-2011, 05:50 PM
wow there are bolts on the other drops beside the last rappel. Honestly I don't know why someone would bolt the drops before the last and only mandatory rappel. the drops are easy to down climb, some people have worse stairs off their porch. those that that are not comfortable in down-climbing have a choice of using many natural anchors. And by natural anchors I mean a half barried deadman anchor that is a car engine. No way that car engine is moving even for heavy set canyoneers. also plenty of large chock stones or other car parts for anchor material. even then I don't care much about this canyon so happy bolt practicing I guess