Pool Arch Canyon
Beta for Pool Arch Canyon in Moab, UT
Duration
3.5
- 5 hrs.
Longest Rappel
130 ft
Number of Rappels
2 -
3
Country: united states
State/Province: UT
City or Nearest City: Moab
Approaches:
First Rappel:
Last Rappel:
Exits:
Calculate time for your adventure
Select your approach, exit, and any shuttles in order to calcualte an estimated time
1. Approaches:
Pritchett Safari Route Approach
Approach GPS: 38.535322, -109.598961
Starting at the Pritchett Canyon Trailhead Follow the Pritchett Canyon Safari Route for almost exactly 0.5 miles. Here is where a narrow canyon comes in from the left side of the trail (East). Head up the narrow canyon wash. There is a very short section of class 4 scrambling soon after entering the narrow canyon. Once up the scramble, continue up-canyon. The further you go up the canyon a more defined trail will appear. There will be another short class 4 scramble where the canyon begins to narrow again, but it is pretty easy to get up. The total distance for the approach is 2 miles.
Parking:
Kane Creek Recreation Parking
GPS: 38.533185, -109.600897
Pritchett Safari Route Approach Gallery:
Waypoints:
1st Class 4 Scramble
GPS: 38.53434, -109.59197
2nd Class 4 Scramble
GPS: 38.53553, -109.58169
Bypass
GPS: 38.53615, -109.57552
2. Canyon Time:
1 hour(s), 30 minute(s).
3. Exit Time:
Pritchett Canyon Safari Route
Exit GPS: 38.530872, -109.581964
From the bottom of the last rappel, head down the drainage scrambling over a few small boulders. You will pick up a social trail on the left of the drainage that will lead you out to the Pritchett Canyon Safari Route road. Once you reach the obvious 4X4 road, take a right and head in a Western/slightly Northwestern direction. You will follow this road for a little more than a mile all the way back to the beginning of the Pritchett Canyon trailhead.
Total Adventure Time:
2 hr(s), 57 mins
Essential Canyoneering Gear
Descender - Hoodoo
Carabiners
Quicklinks
Harness
Gloves
Rope
Helmet
Personal Anchor System
Canyoneering Shoes (LA Sportiva TX3)
Webbing (Bluewater)
VT Prusik
Pull Cord
Wet Canyon Gear
Because this is a wet canyon, we strongly recommend having these supplies
Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Pool Arch Canyon
Pool Arch Canyon Rappels
2 - 3 rappels
Rappel 1
Rappel 1 Anchor
There is webbing around a strong juniper bush about 5 feet back from the edge that is easy to spot as you approach the drop.
Overview
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Tips
If you choose to bypass this rappel, walk down the gully to the South of the fin that leads to Pool Arch from the top of the approach ascent.
Rappel 2
Length: 42 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 2 Anchor
This rappel is nicely anchored from two bolts and chain up on the wall above a ledge to the right of the watercourse as you look down the canyon.
Overview
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
Optional Rappel/Belay Anchor
This anchor is directly in the watercourse fastened around small boulders. This anchor is typically used to belay people down to the chain anchors near the ledge of the dryfall. You can rappel all the way down off this anchor, but isn't advised since it makes the pull from the bottom pretty difficult and causes some deep grooving.
Chain Anchors
This anchor is located down on the ledge of the dryfall in the watercourse. It is exposed to you might want to be hooked up on a belay while you are down there. Tethering into the anchor while hooking up on rappel is recommended too. This anchor is a set of chains and bolted hangers.
Overview
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Tips
As you approach this final rappel you will notice webbing around a small boulder in the watercourse. This is not the best anchor for the last rappel. Instead, use the webbing around the small boulder to belay people down to the bolted anchors that are on the ledge directly below. The bolted anchor is on the right-hand wall of the watercourse and is a bit exposed. You can choose to have everyone but the last person, rappel all the way from the small boulder, but this would mean that the last person would not have a belay to get to the set of bolts on the ledge below where it is fairly exposed to rig the rope for a better pull.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 1
Rappel down 130 ft. with the impressive Pool Arch as your backdrop. This rappel is optional, but most people will want to do it.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 2
From a ledge to the right of the watercourse looking down-canyon, rappel down about 40 ft. to the canyon floor. From the bottom of this rappel continue walking down-canyon and the canyon will open up, marking its final section.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Rappel 3
With a somewhat exposed but easy start, this rappel is fantastic as it drops you down in front of seepage coming from the underneath side of the free-hanging part of this rappel.
Pool Arch Canyon Trip Reports
May 8, 2021
It was a blue-sky day with white clouds when our group of 6 ran this canyon. It took us just under four hours total, but we had to wait for a guided group at the top of the first rappel for a bit. This was an easy canyon to navigate and all the anchors were in good shape. The trickiest part of the canyon was a couple of downclimbs after the Pool Arch rappel. For experienced canyoneers, the downclimbs will not be a problem though. Beginners may have some struggle in the small, short slot section where there is an awkward downclimb over a wedged log. However, with a spotter, it can be easily done as a beginner. The last rappel seemed to be just as picturesque as the first and gave a little rush of adrenaline as the start is a bit exposed to that rappel. Overall, this was a great, short canyon and a solid adventure for a half-day outing.