Capitol Reef Canyons 2016
Twelve of us met in Capitol Reef National Park for the almost annual Southwest Canyoneering trip. Attendees were Hal Tompkins - the organizer, Joan Marshall, Terry Erickson, Helga Zimmerer, Jim Welch, Dave Erskine, Craig Taylor, Jeff Fisher, Frank King, Eric and Jan Simpson, and me. We found a place to camp off the Old Notom Road, a few miles east of the park boundary. Dave, Jim, and I arrived early and did some activities before the others arrived. All the excursions were done as day trips from the campsite. The schedule was as follows:
Fri Oct 7 - Cathedral Valley driving loop - Jim, Dave, and I found this 56 mile excursion to be very worthwhile. Many short hikes and great vistas.
Sat Oct 8 - Capitol Gorge hike - An easy hike following the original route through the reef before Highway 24 was built. Jim, Dave, and I.
Sun Oct 9 - Upper Muley Twist hike - Near the east end of the Burr Trail. I did this hike with Rena in 1999 and consider it one of the best day hikes. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, and I.
Mon Oct 10 - South Fork of Stegosaur Slot canyon descent. A relatively short canyon north of Hickman Bridge with 3 raps and some nice tight narrows. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, Craig and I.
Tue Oct 11 - Ferns Nipple climb - A pleasant 4th class climb in the park. I did this in 2003 with Ron Bartell. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, Craig, Jeff, Frank, and I.
Wed Oct 12 - Cassidy Arch canyon descent - Beautiful dry descent from the arch with lots of rappels. Easy approach. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, Craig, Jeff, and I.
Thur Oct 13 - Burro Wash canyon descent - From the Norton road. Very nice wet canyon with deep wading, rappels, and a long approach. The best descent of the trip. Took 12 hours car-to-car. Hal, Joan, Dave, Terry, Helga, Craig, Jeff, and I.
Fri Oct 14 - Wife No 3 canyon descent - Short canyon off the Cohap canyon trail. Hal, Joan, Dave, Craig, Jeff, and I.
This report contains photos of all the above, plus some standard tourist photos of the park and a bunch taken at our camping place off the Old Notom Road.
Read MoreFri Oct 7 - Cathedral Valley driving loop - Jim, Dave, and I found this 56 mile excursion to be very worthwhile. Many short hikes and great vistas.
Sat Oct 8 - Capitol Gorge hike - An easy hike following the original route through the reef before Highway 24 was built. Jim, Dave, and I.
Sun Oct 9 - Upper Muley Twist hike - Near the east end of the Burr Trail. I did this hike with Rena in 1999 and consider it one of the best day hikes. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, and I.
Mon Oct 10 - South Fork of Stegosaur Slot canyon descent. A relatively short canyon north of Hickman Bridge with 3 raps and some nice tight narrows. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, Craig and I.
Tue Oct 11 - Ferns Nipple climb - A pleasant 4th class climb in the park. I did this in 2003 with Ron Bartell. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, Craig, Jeff, Frank, and I.
Wed Oct 12 - Cassidy Arch canyon descent - Beautiful dry descent from the arch with lots of rappels. Easy approach. Hal, Joan, Dave, Jim, Terry, Helga, Craig, Jeff, and I.
Thur Oct 13 - Burro Wash canyon descent - From the Norton road. Very nice wet canyon with deep wading, rappels, and a long approach. The best descent of the trip. Took 12 hours car-to-car. Hal, Joan, Dave, Terry, Helga, Craig, Jeff, and I.
Fri Oct 14 - Wife No 3 canyon descent - Short canyon off the Cohap canyon trail. Hal, Joan, Dave, Craig, Jeff, and I.
This report contains photos of all the above, plus some standard tourist photos of the park and a bunch taken at our camping place off the Old Notom Road.
