Imlay Canyon (Full)

Beta for the full Imlay route in Zion National Park

Duration

10

- 16 hrs.

Rating

4

Technical Class Indicates the technicality of the terrain and the tyoe of rope work require.

1 - 

Canyon Hiking Non-technical. No rope is required. See the route description for difficulties.

2 - 

Basic Canyoneering Scrambling, easy climbing or downclimbing. A rope may be handy for handlines, belays, lowering packs and emergency use. Exit or retreat possible upcanyon without fixed ropes.

3 - 

Intermediate Canyoneering Rappels or technical climbing and/or downclimbing. A rope is required for belays and single-pitch rappels. Retreat upcanyon would require fixing ropes.

4 - 

Advanced Canyoneering Aid climbing, multi-pitch rappels and/or complex rope work (such as re-belays, tyrollean traverse, or guided rappels) may be required. Might also require difficult pothole escapes, serious squeezing, extensive high-risk downclimbing, or have difficult-to-establish natural anchors. Rappels longer than 200 feet will usually earn a canyon a Class 4 rating.

B

Water Rating indicates complications due to flowing or still water, under normal conditions.

A - 

Normally dry or with very little water. Wading to waist deep at most.

B - 

Water with no current or light current. Still pools. Falls are normally dry or running at a trickle. Swimming expected.

C - 

Water with strong current. Waterfalls. Wet canyon rope techniques required.

V

Time or Grade indicates the length of the adventure.

I - 

Short. A couple of hours.

II - 

Requires about a half day.

III - 

Normally requires most of a day.

IV - 

Expected to take a long day. Get up early, bring a headlamp. Possible bivy.

V - 

More than one day. Normally done in two days.

VI - 

Two full days or more.

R

Additional Risk Rating indicates the presence of more risk factors than might be expected.

No Rating - 

Normal risk factors are present on this adventure.

R - 

One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment required. Not appropriate for beginners, even with competent leadership.

X - 

Multiple risk factors exist that will complicate the descent. Errors in technique or judgment will likely result in serious injury or death. Descent should be attempted by expert canyoneers only. This is the least-well-established part of the rating system, and the most subjective. Use by beta-providers varies widely, to the point that this part of the rating means very little.

Longest Rappel

170 ft

Number of Rappels

25

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Springdale

Camping:

Camping Icon

Lava Point Campground

Approaches:

Approach Icon

First Rappel:

First Rappel Icon

Last Rappel:

Last Rappel Icon

Exits:

Exit Icon

Calculate time for your adventure

Select your approach, exit, and any shuttles in order to calcualte an estimated time

1. Approaches:

2. Canyon Time:

10 hour(s), 45 minute(s).

3. Exit Time:

4. Shuttle Times / Other:

Zion Shuttle

25 mins

Total Adventure Time:

(select route options above)

Essential Canyoneering Gear

Wet Canyon Gear

Because this is a wet canyon, we strongly recommend having these supplies

Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Imlay Canyon (Full)

WARNING

This canyon has an additional R rating and requires that group members be skilled in pothole escapes and overcoming a variety of obstacles. Group members will be required to complete a multi-stage rappel in the upper section of the canyon where you will have to stand on a tiny ledge that is big enough for only one person while transitioning to a second rope. Since water levels vary greatly in this canyon, avoid jumping into potholes until you know water levels are safe to jump in. A wetsuit is required for this canyon.

Imlay Canyon Rappels

- 25 rappels

Looking down rap 1 in Imlay Canyon

Rappel 1

Length: 140 ft

Type of Rappel: Sloped

Coordinates: 37.31987,-112.98591

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing around a large tree provides a great anchor for the first rappel.


Overview

This rappel is on a large ledge with a couple of large trees just below the use trail. Rappel down a sloped canyon wall that is more vertical the further you go down. Enjoy the views.

Tips

Make sure to stop on the obvious ledge about 140 ft. down the wall. This is where the anchor is for rappel 2. You will not have enough rope if you continue down the sidewall from the top of rap1.



Rappel 2

Length: 115 ft

Coordinates: 37.319570,-112.985841

Rappel 2 AnchorAnchor Icon

Rappel 2 is also anchor from a sturdy tree with webbing. The anchor is located directly at the bottom of the first rappel.


Overview

This rap is located right at the bottom of rappel 1. Rappel down into the main watercourse from a tree.


Top of a two-stage rappel on rappel 3 in Imlay

Rappel 3

Length: 120 ft

Type of Rappel: Multi-stage

Coordinates: 37.319459,-112.985814

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

Use the log or the small bush as an anchor for this two-stage drop.


Overview

Rappel 3 is directly at the bottom of rappel 2 in the watercourse. Rappel down over two-stages further down into the watercourse.

Tips

Mind your rope pull.



Rappelling down the fourth rappel in Imlay

Rappel 4

Length: 65 ft

Coordinates: 37.319535,-112.983472

Rappel 4 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing slung around a tree.


Overview

From the bottom of rappel 3, hike and scramble down the watercourse until you come to a drop-off that is obviously too large to rappel with the ropes that you need for this canyon. Where this drop-off is, climb up a dirt embankment directly to your left. As soon as you scramble up the embankment to the left, you will see the webbing for the rappel 4 around a medium-sized tree. Rappel down about 65 ft. to a large tree. This is the first rappel in a 3 rappel sequence that will drop you back into the main watercourse.

Tips

At the bottom of this rappel, use a personal anchor to tether yourself into the anchor for rappel 5 before sending anyone else down from rappel 4. There is not much room at the bottom of rappel 4, so to avoid clogging, have the next person wait until you are hooked up on rappel 5 to come down rappel 4.



Looking up rappel 5 in the full Imlay Canyon

Rappel 5

Length: 70 ft

Coordinates: 37.319485,-112.983397

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

This is the second stage in the 3-stage sequence to the main watercourse. Rappel down another 70 feet to some bolts just above a small ledge before the big drop to the canyon bottom.

Tips

At the bottom of this rappel, use a personal anchor to tether yourself into the anchor for rappel 6 before sending anyone else down from rappel 5. There is not much room at the bottom of rappel 5 for more than one person. Make sure to tie knots in the end of your rope.


Looking up rappel 6 in the upper section of Imlay Canyon

Rappel 6

Length: 170 ft

Coordinates: 37.319435,-112.983283

Rappel 6 AnchorAnchor Icon

Bolted hangers just above a small ledge that you can balance on to set up the rappel.


Overview

This is the final and biggest rappel in the 3-rappel sequence. This is a 170 ft. rappel that is breathtaking. Descend a beautiful wall to a large ledge below.

Tips

Use caution while tethering and untethering from the anchor. The ledge here can fit no more than one person.



Rappelling the upper section of Imlay Canyon in Zion

Upper Section Rappels

Length: ft

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

After the 6th rappel in the upper section, there are a handful of other rappels and downclimbs that you will encounter before the crossroads (where the Full Imlay Route meets the Sneak Route). The number of rappels can vary depending on team members' downclimbing skill level and water levels.



Rappelling in Imlay Canyon in Zion National Park

Lower Section Rappels

Length: 100 ft

Lower Section Rappel AnchorsAnchor Icon

In the past, anchors for the rappels in the lower section of Imlay were known to be old and kind of scary. Now many of the bolts and hangers have been replaced and are in good condition.


Overview

There are many rappels in the lower section after the crossroads and the number will vary depending on the water level. The longest rappel in the lower section is the last rappel, which is about 120 ft..



Walking through the Trash Compactor in Imlay

The Trash Compactor

Length: ft

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

The Trash Compactor is a short section in the lower slot that is filled with logs and debris. It can be a challenge to get out of depending on the water level. If you have to swim through this section it is generally going to be more difficult to get out of than if the water is low and you can touch the bottom.



Escaping potholes in Imlay

Potholes

Length: ft

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

The majority of the potholes that you will come across in this canyon are in the lower section after the crossroads. Depending on time of year and water levels from recent rains, escapes form these potholes will vary in difficulty. A wetsuit is necessary year-round.

Tips

Make sure you are prepared with the correct equipment for these escapes, and that everyone in your group is experienced with escaping potholes. Bring hooks/talons, alpine aiders/ladders, tethers, and potshots for escapes.



Looking down into the Narrows in Imlay Canyon from the last rappel

Final Rappel

Length: 120 ft

Coordinates: 37.30959,-112.94927

Final Rappel AnchorAnchor Icon

There is a line that leads out the main anchor that you can tether into as you reach around the corner to set up the rappel from the webbing and bolted hangers.


Overview

From the bottom of a 100 ft. rappel, you will be able to hear water flowing from the Narrows. This means you have one rappel left! Walk out on a small ledge to a sharp drop into the Narrows. There is typically a safety line set up here for you to reach the actual anchor around the corner. Rappel down one of the most scenic rappels of the canyon into the warmer water of the Narrows.

Tips

Lower you ropes and any gear instead of throwing them because there is a chance there are hikers in the Narrows at the bottom.



Imlay Canyon (Full) Trip Reports

June 19, 2021

We did the full Imlay route starting at the West Rim Trailhead at Lava Point. We had someone leave a car for us at the Temple of Sinawava bus stop. To be able to park at the Temple of Sinawava you must acquire a White Pass from the permit window at the visitor's center. We started hiking at 4:40 a.m. and got to our exit vehicle at 8:00 p.m. We had a great time in the canyon! Anchor conditions were fair to good. Water levels were lower than in years past, but still held enough water that multiple potholes were swimmers. We used hooks and tethers on one of the potholes, but we were able to escape all the other pothole using partner assists. As far as ropes, we brought 300 ft. (VERY light 8mm), 150 ft., 120 ft., 40 ft., and 60 ft. ropes. You can use a 200 ft. rope instead of a 300, but our 300 was very light and we wanted to double-strand on the longer rappels. The small ropes we brought for the short rappels and pothole escapes. Don't forget your wetsuit! People in our group used 4mm and 5mm suits and we were all warm enough. Check with the permit window at the visitor's center the day before to get a better idea of current conditions in Imlay.

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