Na-gah Canyon | Capitol Reef

Canyoneering Na-gah Canyon - Capitol Reef Canyoneering Na-gah Canyon

Capitol Reef

Overview

RATING: 3A

Fri

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Mostly sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 6 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

78 | 55

Sat

A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

73 | 53

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 78.

78 | 51

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 80.

80 | 54

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 81.

81 | 55

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
RAPPELS: 3 to 50 m ( 165 ft. )
WATER: Generally very little. No wetsuit needed.
FLASHFLOOD: Low except in a very short section

Fri

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Mostly sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 6 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

78 | 55

Sat

A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

73 | 53

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 78.

78 | 51

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 80.

80 | 54

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 81.

81 | 55

View Full Weather Details
2nd Rappel in Na-gah

2nd Rappel in Na-gah

Deep dark chamber at the bottom of the 1st rappel

Deep dark chamber at the bottom of the 1st rappel

Na-gah Canyon is a short fork of Shinob Canyon that drains into Grand Wash. The canyon is good, but really short. A couple of down climbs, followed by a few rappels through an impressive dark and twisty section, and it is done.

Though tough to recommend Na-Gah on its own, it does make a pleasant 1/2 or 3/4 day when combined with hiking Ferns Nipple (the map shows both the canyon and Ferns Nipple Route). The scenery on the approach and Ferns Nipple make for a great day, with the short slot on the return being the icing on the cake. Typically the canyon shouldn't hold much water, making it a good early spring or late fall outing. The canyon is fairly beginner friendly, most of the down climbs could be set up as rappels using natural anchors without much difficulty, or yield to partner techniques well.

The main canyon, Shinob, is not currently labeled on USGS maps, but is on the visitor center map. Shinob is a Piute word meaning "Great Spirit". In Piute legend, a People of the Sky were restless and travelled into the heavens. According to legend, they can still be seen moving through the heavens every night. One of these people, however, is stationary and cannot move. This is Na-gah, the north star. Presumably the canyon was named Na-gah because it is the northern most fork of Shinob.

Looking into Grand Wash from the top of the 3rd rappel

Looking into Grand Wash from the top of the 3rd rappel

Looking down the first rappel

Looking down the first rappel

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