Bow & Arrow Canyon

Beta for Bow & Arrow Canyon in Moab, Utah

Duration

2

- 3.5 hrs.

Rating

3

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.

A

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.

I

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.

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

124 ft

Number of Rappels

3 -

4

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Moab

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:

1 hour(s), 7.5 minute(s).

3. Exit Time:

Total Adventure Time:

(select route options above)

Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Bow & Arrow Canyon

Longbow Arch Canyon Rappels

3 - 4 rappels

big rappel top longbow arch canyon

Rappel 1

Length: 124 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Coordinates: 38.54123,-109.60511

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing from permanent hardware.


Overview

For the first 20 feet, you will have contact with the wall, but this rappel soon slopes sharply enough that you will be free hanging for the last 100 ft. or so.

Tips

When throwing your rope, make sure to NOT throw it too far out or to the right because it will get stuck in a tree. Just throw the rope straight down. Make sure to test the pull before the last person down.



Rappel 3 Longbow Arch Canyon Top

Rappel 2

Length: 65 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing around a small but sturdy tree.


Overview

This rappel is at a very low angle and not steep at all.



Rappel 4 Longbow Arch Canyon Top

Rappel 3

Length: 60 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Coordinates: 38.539311,-109.603307

Bolted AnchorAnchor Icon

2 new bolts and webbing. Webbing is from February 2021.

Bush AnchorAnchor Icon

Anchored off of a small bush at the base. The bush is somewhat flexible. The rope/webbing extends over the edge for an easy pull.


Overview

There are two options for the final rappel. The first is off of two bolted hangers near the bottom of the third rappel to the left after the canyon opens. The other option is off of a study bush low to the ground to the right about 30 yards from the bottom of the third rappel. Either is about 60 ft.

Tips

Make sure to LOWER and not throw your rope from either anchor. There are lots of trees at the bottom.



Bow & Arrow Canyon Trip Reports

November 25, 2020

Started at 2:30 p.m. and finished at 5:10 p.m. We took our time and enjoyed the cool weather that late fall/early winter in Moab has to offer. Anchors were all in good condition and the petroglyphs at the beginning of the trailhead were way cool. If you do this canyon, you gotta check those out.

August 22, 2020

Fun canyon! Great beginner canyon I think. Not much shade so make sure to bring enough water for a short canyon, especially when running it during the summer months. The 1st rappel (or second depending on if you downclimb the first drop), is the best one of the canyon. You'll get some hang-time on it!

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