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Capitol Reef

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Canyoneering The Wives - Capitol Reef Canyoneering The Wives

Capitol Reef

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

Thu

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny. High near 67, with temperatures falling to around 65 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

67 | 48

Fri

A chance of rain before noon, then rain likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. West southwest wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

63 | 47

Sat

A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

58 | 42

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 66.

66 | 40

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 74.

74 | 43

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, no snow
RAPPELS: 0+ Depending on Canyon
WATER: Wife 5 can have a few pools to waist deep.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate

Thu

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny. High near 67, with temperatures falling to around 65 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

67 | 48

Fri

A chance of rain before noon, then rain likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. West southwest wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

63 | 47

Sat

A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

58 | 42

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 66.

66 | 40

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 74.

74 | 43

View Full Weather Details
Wife 3 Canyon - Anchor

Wife 3 Canyon - Anchor

The Wives are a total of 7 short canyons in Capitol Reef that are side drainages of Cohab Canyon. The canyons are all very short, so only take an hour or so once the approach is made. A competent group can do 2-3 of them easily in a day.

That being said, if you are OCD, such as myself, you will undoubtedly do all 7. For those more quality oriented, Wife 5 is head and shoulders above the rest. Wife 3 is also fairly good. Beyond that, I would not highly recommend the others. Wife 4 and 1 are OK, next I would put Wife 2, and TOTGA. I would not recommend Wife 6, it is brushy and not particularly interesting.

Warning: Wife 4/TOTGA have very tight crack downclimbs. Members of the deuce+ club (200+lbs) may find these very difficult. You have been warned! Not a good choice for claustrophobic canyoneers either.

Note: Wife 5 is sometimes rated as harder because the 4th rappel was originally done from a small rock wedged in a solution pocket that is difficult to inspect/replace the webbing on. While this is true, look around at the rap, and there are a couple of solution pockets that go all the way through creating an easy thread. These make for better anchors; they are up out of the watercourse and easy to inspect.

All of these canyons are fault canyons, and contain a lot of fragile, crumbly rock. Helmets recommended and be sure to evaluate anchors carefully.

Wife 3 and TOTGA beta image

Wife 3 and TOTGA beta image

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