Fins N Things Canyon

Beta for Fins N Things Canyon near Moab, Utah

Duration

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.

II

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

18 ft

Number of Rappels

1 -

3

Fins n’ Things is a shorter canyon that begins at the off roading trail “Fins n’ Things” located in Sand Flats Recreation area above Moab. It includes some short rappels and fun scrambles then ends with a hike out of MillCreek Canyon. While not very intense, this route is a great half day outing.

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Moab

Approaches:

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First Rappel:

First Rappel Icon

Last Rappel:

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Exits:

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Calculate time for your adventure

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1. Approaches:

2. Canyon Time:

1 hour(s), 30 minute(s).

3. Exit Time:

Total Adventure Time:

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Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Fins N Things Canyon

Flash Flood Danger

Fins N Things Canyon is an offshoot of one of the biggest drainages in Moab – Mill Creek Canyon. Mill Creek is famous for it’s huge flash floods. Do not go if there is rain in the forecast as you will be exiting by hiking out of Mill Creek Canyon to finish Fins N Things.  With that in mind – be sure to check all anchors in this canyon, especially the deadman/cairns as they get regularly flooded.

Fins N Things Canyon Rappels

1 - 3 rappels

For those who are not confident down climbing, there are 3 rappels. We down climbed the first two and rapped the 3rd one. The last drop ( around 18 ft) has a lip that leads to a featureless overhang which makes for an awkward rappel.

Rappel 1

Length: 15 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional Rappel

Coordinates: 38.57297,-109.48944

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing around some rocks at the base of a narrow downclimb.


Overview

The first 'rappel' appears after the first narrow downclimb in the canyon. The anchor is a piece of webbing wrapped around some rocks at the base of the downclimb. Those who like downclimbing should be able to do it pretty easily.

Tips

Check the anchor thoroughly as this canyon floods quite often.


fins n things 2nd rappel

Rappel 2

Length: 15 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional Rappel

Rappel 2 AnchorAnchor Icon

A deadman anchor is used and is usually pretty solid, but it does get rebuilt quite often. Be sure to check it before committing to the rappel.


Overview

The 2nd Rappel is also considered optional, but a more awkward downclimb than the last one.

Tips

A sit start is recommended for this rappel.



Third rappel anchor in fins n things

Rappel 3

Length: 20 ft

Type of Rappel: Freehang

Coordinates: 38.57251, -109.48910

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing around a tree with a quicklink. Make sure to inspect it, but it will probably be the most reliable one in the canyon.


Overview

The third rappel is the mandatory one for most people. It consists of a lip that drops into a freehang for about 15 ft. It's an awkward one folks.

Tips

Beginners tend to get their feet stuck under the rope on the lip on this one. Make sure to lean back and let rope out to step under, but not too much rope!


Fins N Things Canyon Trip Reports

Trip reports coming soon.