North Wash Canyoneering: Routes and Beta

Located just a short drive (about 26 miles south) from Hanksville and west of the border of Canyonlands National Park and east of Capitol Reef National Park, the North Wash sits on the barren Colorado Plateau. No permits are required for the technical canyons in this area, but it does sit on BLM land managed out of Hanksville, where the closest resources are available. This area provides some of the most epic experiences that Utah has to offer. If you are looking to practice your downclimbing skills and natural anchor-building skills, this is the place to go! Features of canyons in this area are:

• Short rappels
• Tight squeezes
• Deep slots
• Challenging downclimbs
• Potholes
• Beginner to expert-level routes

When is the Best Time to Go?

The canyons in the North Wash can be descended year-round usually, but it is still important to check weather conditions before you go no matter the time of year. Fall and Spring are usually the best times to go. The Colorado Plateau is very hot during the summer, so sufficient water is necessary for your trip to the North Wash. Dispersed/primitive campsites are plentiful in the area, so finding a camping spot should not be too hard. Be aware that many of the roads that give access to dispersed sites are for high-clearance vehicles. Many people can drive on the roads with most all-wheel drive vehicles that have decent clearance, but sometimes a 4-wheel drive vehicle is necessary depending on conditions.

Equipment and Skills

Aside from the normal gear you would take into a canyon, long sleeves and even knee pads can be your best friends in these slots. Don’t wear clothes you care about at least. They will get scuffed and torn. Having good shoes is vital when downclimbing and stemming. Protection from the sun is another necessity in this area. With little to no shade on the approaches and exits, coverage is important and so is water. Smaller packs are the go-to. You will be able to maneuver better in the canyon with less gear and your pack is bound to get roughed up. With proper planning, you are almost guaranteed to enjoy this area of the Colorado Plateau. It’s like a playground.

The rappels in these canyons do not have any bolts. Keep that in mind before you go so that you are prepared with the right equipment to build natural anchors if needed. As in any canyon, knowledge of the following is important to your safety and enjoyment:

• Natural anchor techniques
  • Cairn, chockstone, and dead-man anchors
• High stemming
• Downclimbing
• Pothole escapes
• Partner-assist techniques