Woody Canyon
Five miles and four to six hours spent solving potholes rather than rappelling. The Woody Keeper is the one everybody comes for, and the potshot throw that gets you out of it is not easy.
Difficulty runs backwards from what you would expect: the canyon is a romp when the potholes are full and gets harder as the water drops, which makes it a good place for an experienced leader to teach pothole technique. Road Trip Ryan calls for a minimum party of three, a 30 meter rope, a wetsuit, and full keeper pothole gear. The one mandatory rappel has an awkward anchor with no fixed option. Parties have used an ibis hook when it is wet, a sandtrap when the canyon is dry and sand is available, or a water anchor. There has been recent pushback on the ibis hook because the hook and carabiner leave rub marks in the sandstone, so choose the method your conditions and skills genuinely support. Cold water exposure in the potholes is the real hazard, not the drops. Flash flood risk is moderate and you can see the whole drainage and the sky from the approach, which is more than most canyons in this area give you.
Logistics
| Permit | None required |
|---|---|
| Distance | 5.3 mi |
| Time | 4 hr-6 hr |
| Technical | 3 rappels, longest 30 ft |
| Season | Spring; Summer; Fall. |
| Vehicle access | Passenger |
| Coordinates | 37.8639, -110.5788 |
Sources
- permitType: https://ropewiki.com/Woody_Canyon
- nearest town: https://ropewiki.com/Leprechaun_Canyon_(Middle_Fork)
- desc: https://ropewiki.com/Woody_Canyon
- notes: https://ropewiki.com/Woody_Canyon
- notes gear: http://roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/north-wash/woody