Cottonwood Wash | Capitol Reef

Canyoneering Cottonwood Wash - Capitol Reef Canyoneering Cottonwood Wash

Capitol Reef

Overview

Wed A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 97, with temperatures falling to around 95 in the afternoon. South wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
97° | 69°
Thu A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
94° | 68°
Fri A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
93° | 66°
Sat A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
93° | 66°
Sun A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
94° | 67°
RATING: 3B
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Technical Gear. Be sure to have quite a bit (10 m) of webbing.
RAPPELS: 3+ to 20 m ( 66 ft. )
WATER: Some pools. Wetsuit (3mm full) in all but the hottest conditions.
FLASHFLOOD: High
Wed A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 97, with temperatures falling to around 95 in the afternoon. South wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
97° | 69°
Thu A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
94° | 68°
Fri A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
93° | 66°
Sat A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
93° | 66°
Sun A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
94° | 67°
Mark and Tyler early in Cottonwood.
Mark and Tyler early in Cottonwood.
Mark making the first rappel
Mark making the first rappel

Of the 3 canyons in this area (Burro Wash, Cottonwood Wash, and Five Mile), Cottonwood Wash is by far my favorite. With a shuttle, it is a very casual canyon, though will take a full day by the time the shuttle is done both ways. The narrow section is magnificent, and fairly continuous.

All drops are fairly short, with relatively straightforward anchors. That makes this a good choice for intermediate canyoneers, or even beginner groups with competent leadership. Some groups do 4+ rappels, though 3 seems to be the number of mandatory rappels with a few moderate downclimbs interspersed throughout the canyon as well.

Brrr - move fast!
Brrr - move fast!
Tyler downclimbing just below rappel 3.
Tyler downclimbing just below rappel 3.

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