Cottonwood Wash | Capitol Reef

Canyoneering Cottonwood Wash - Capitol Reef Canyoneering Cottonwood Wash

Capitol Reef

Overview

Sat Mostly sunny. High near 84, with temperatures falling to around 82 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 2 to 24 mph.
84° | 55°
Sun A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 0 to 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
77° | 50°
Mon A slight chance of rain and snow showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
63° | 41°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 70.
70° | 39°
Wed Sunny, with a high near 77.
77° | 44°
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
Sat Mostly sunny. High near 84, with temperatures falling to around 82 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 2 to 24 mph.
84° | 55°
Sun A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 0 to 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
77° | 50°
Mon A slight chance of rain and snow showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
63° | 41°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 70.
70° | 39°
Wed Sunny, with a high near 77.
77° | 44°
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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