U-Turn Canyon
Beta for U Turn Canyon in Arches National Park, Utah
Duration
2
- 4 hrs.
Longest Rappel
60 - 100 ft
Number of Rappels
2 -
4
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:
2. Canyon Time:
1 hour(s), 22.5 minute(s).
3. Exit Time:
Total Adventure Time:
(select route options above)
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
Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for U-Turn Canyon
Flash Flood and Heat Danger
Moab and it’s surrounding areas are prone to large flash floods. Do not attempt a canyon if rain is forecasted! On the other hand, U Turn Canyon does not have much shade or shelter from the Sun. Don’t attempt during the hottest part of the day without ample water and a game plan…the views are better in the evening and morning anyways.
U-Turn Canyon Rappels
2 - 4 rappels
U-Turn features 4 possible rappels with multiple anchor options for a few of them. Be aware that the last rappel can either be 60ft or 100ft depending on the anchor you choose so plan accordingly.
Rappel/Downclimb 1
Rappel 1 Anchor
Bolt with a rap ring
Overview
This 10 ft drop is considered an optional rappel. The down climb is a little awkward but very doable. If you wish to rappel, the bolt with a rap ring for this rappel is located under a boulder on the right side of the bowl into the canyon just above the 10ft drop.
Tips
Spotting the down climb for beginners is a good idea.
Rappel 2
Length: 20 ft
Type of Rappel: Standard
Rappel 2 Anchor
Webbing around a boulder or Bolts as an alternate
Overview
The second rappel is directly after the first. There are two main anchors for this one, webbing around the boulder directly in front of the drop, or a bolted anchor if you scramble up and to the left over some boulders. The webbing anchor has become a culprit of some major rope grooves. We used this one because we didn't know about the alternative anchors. Please be sensitive to rope grooves and choose accordingly.
Rappel 3
Length: 50 ft
Type of Rappel: Optional Low Angled Rappel
Rappel 3 Anchor
Anchor is located behind the large boulders in on the left side of the image.
Overview
This 50 ft rappel is a pretty low angled one that can be pretty easily scooted past down the hill. The anchor is located way over to the left of the hallway that leads into the large, open canyon after the 2nd rappel. Look behind the large boulders facing the awesome view of Park Avenue. It should be a wrapped webbing anchor.
Tips
We just scooted and walked down the steep hill to get to the last rappel.
Rappel 4
Rappel 4 Anchor
The 100ft anchor is bolted with webbing, the 60ft anchor is a webbing only anchor in the corner at the head of the canyon.
Overview
The 4th rappel has two different anchors and rappels. The first is bolted and located on the edge of the cliff to the left once on the flat area below the 3rd rappel and near a large boulder. This is the 100 ft. rappel with some free hanging. The alternative anchor is farther left along the cliff to where a corner is formed. That one is 60 .ft and off of webbing. You can't go wrong with either of them.
Tips
Make sure your rope is on the ground and that you are on the correct rappel.
U-Turn Canyon Photo Gallery
Rappel/Downclimb 1
This 10 ft drop is considered an optional rappel. The down climb is a little awkward but very doable. If you wish to rappel, the bolt with a rap ring for this rappel is located under a boulder on the right side of the bowl into the canyon just above the 10ft drop.
Rappel 2
The second rappel is directly after the first. There are two main anchors for this one, webbing around the boulder directly in front of the drop, or a bolted anchor if you scramble up and to the left over some boulders. The webbing anchor has become a culprit of some major rope grooves. We used this one because we didn't know about the alternative anchors. Please be sensitive to rope grooves and choose accordingly.
Rappel 3
This 50 ft rappel is a pretty low angled one that can be pretty easily scooted past down the hill. The anchor is located way over to the left of the hallway that leads into the large, open canyon after the 2nd rappel. Look behind the large boulders facing the awesome view of Park Avenue. It should be a wrapped webbing anchor.
Rappel 4
The 4th rappel has two different anchors and rappels. The first is bolted and located on the edge of the cliff to the left once on the flat area below the 3rd rappel and near a large boulder. This is the 100 ft. rappel with some free hanging. The alternative anchor is farther left along the cliff to where a corner is formed. That one is 60 .ft and off of webbing. You can't go wrong with either of them.
Landing Before Last Rappel
Walking over to the last rappel in U Turn Canyon
Rappel/Downclimb 1
This 10 ft drop is considered an optional rappel. The down climb is a little awkward but very doable. If you wish to rappel, the bolt with a rap ring for this rappel is located under a boulder on the right side of the bowl into the canyon just above the 10ft drop.
Rappel 2
The second rappel is directly after the first. There are two main anchors for this one, webbing around the boulder directly in front of the drop, or a bolted anchor if you scramble up and to the left over some boulders. The webbing anchor has become a culprit of some major rope grooves. We used this one because we didn't know about the alternative anchors. Please be sensitive to rope grooves and choose accordingly.
Rappel 3
This 50 ft rappel is a pretty low angled one that can be pretty easily scooted past down the hill. The anchor is located way over to the left of the hallway that leads into the large, open canyon after the 2nd rappel. Look behind the large boulders facing the awesome view of Park Avenue. It should be a wrapped webbing anchor.
Rappel 4
The 4th rappel has two different anchors and rappels. The first is bolted and located on the edge of the cliff to the left once on the flat area below the 3rd rappel and near a large boulder. This is the 100 ft. rappel with some free hanging. The alternative anchor is farther left along the cliff to where a corner is formed. That one is 60 .ft and off of webbing. You can't go wrong with either of them.
Landing Before Last Rappel
Walking over to the last rappel in U Turn Canyon
Rappel/Downclimb 1
This 10 ft drop is considered an optional rappel. The down climb is a little awkward but very doable. If you wish to rappel, the bolt with a rap ring for this rappel is located under a boulder on the right side of the bowl into the canyon just above the 10ft drop.
Rappel 2
The second rappel is directly after the first. There are two main anchors for this one, webbing around the boulder directly in front of the drop, or a bolted anchor if you scramble up and to the left over some boulders. The webbing anchor has become a culprit of some major rope grooves. We used this one because we didn't know about the alternative anchors. Please be sensitive to rope grooves and choose accordingly.
Rappel 3
This 50 ft rappel is a pretty low angled one that can be pretty easily scooted past down the hill. The anchor is located way over to the left of the hallway that leads into the large, open canyon after the 2nd rappel. Look behind the large boulders facing the awesome view of Park Avenue. It should be a wrapped webbing anchor.
Rappel 4
The 4th rappel has two different anchors and rappels. The first is bolted and located on the edge of the cliff to the left once on the flat area below the 3rd rappel and near a large boulder. This is the 100 ft. rappel with some free hanging. The alternative anchor is farther left along the cliff to where a corner is formed. That one is 60 .ft and off of webbing. You can't go wrong with either of them.
Landing Before Last Rappel
Walking over to the last rappel in U Turn Canyon
Rappel/Downclimb 1
This 10 ft drop is considered an optional rappel. The down climb is a little awkward but very doable. If you wish to rappel, the bolt with a rap ring for this rappel is located under a boulder on the right side of the bowl into the canyon just above the 10ft drop.
Rappel 2
The second rappel is directly after the first. There are two main anchors for this one, webbing around the boulder directly in front of the drop, or a bolted anchor if you scramble up and to the left over some boulders. The webbing anchor has become a culprit of some major rope grooves. We used this one because we didn't know about the alternative anchors. Please be sensitive to rope grooves and choose accordingly.
Rappel 3
This 50 ft rappel is a pretty low angled one that can be pretty easily scooted past down the hill. The anchor is located way over to the left of the hallway that leads into the large, open canyon after the 2nd rappel. Look behind the large boulders facing the awesome view of Park Avenue. It should be a wrapped webbing anchor.
Rappel 4
The 4th rappel has two different anchors and rappels. The first is bolted and located on the edge of the cliff to the left once on the flat area below the 3rd rappel and near a large boulder. This is the 100 ft. rappel with some free hanging. The alternative anchor is farther left along the cliff to where a corner is formed. That one is 60 .ft and off of webbing. You can't go wrong with either of them.
Landing Before Last Rappel
Walking over to the last rappel in U Turn Canyon
Rappel/Downclimb 1
This 10 ft drop is considered an optional rappel. The down climb is a little awkward but very doable. If you wish to rappel, the bolt with a rap ring for this rappel is located under a boulder on the right side of the bowl into the canyon just above the 10ft drop.
Rappel 2
The second rappel is directly after the first. There are two main anchors for this one, webbing around the boulder directly in front of the drop, or a bolted anchor if you scramble up and to the left over some boulders. The webbing anchor has become a culprit of some major rope grooves. We used this one because we didn't know about the alternative anchors. Please be sensitive to rope grooves and choose accordingly.
Rappel 3
This 50 ft rappel is a pretty low angled one that can be pretty easily scooted past down the hill. The anchor is located way over to the left of the hallway that leads into the large, open canyon after the 2nd rappel. Look behind the large boulders facing the awesome view of Park Avenue. It should be a wrapped webbing anchor.
Rappel 4
The 4th rappel has two different anchors and rappels. The first is bolted and located on the edge of the cliff to the left once on the flat area below the 3rd rappel and near a large boulder. This is the 100 ft. rappel with some free hanging. The alternative anchor is farther left along the cliff to where a corner is formed. That one is 60 .ft and off of webbing. You can't go wrong with either of them.
Landing Before Last Rappel
Walking over to the last rappel in U Turn Canyon
U-Turn Canyon Trip Reports
August 5th, 2022
With 4 people, 2 being complete beginners and going at a pretty leisurely pace, we were able to complete U Turn in 2 hours and 40 minutes. All Anchors were pretty solid besides the obvious forming of rope grooves. The only reservation we could get for a 'timed entry' into Arches was at 11am so we definitely dealt with the heat in the canyon but on a cooler than usual August day. It was completely dry and easy to navigate. The views were incredible and going back at sunset is definitely on the bucket list.