Cottonwood Wash
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:3, max ↨66ft
Red Tape:Permit required Shuttle:Required Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 6 May 2018
"See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by [http://www.candition.com/profile/ske |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Spring; Summer; Fall
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
38.1409, -111.1434
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction
This canyon requires a lengthy car shuttle between the starting and exit trailheads, typically 1 to 1.5 hours each way. While it may be possible for an ambitious group to devise an overland approach from the exit parking area, the route described here follows the standard approach: beginning on the western side of the reef and hiking up and over to reach the canyon head.
Managing the Shuttle
There are two common ways to handle the shuttle logistics:
Option 1 Park a recovery vehicle at the exit (either the evening before or early in the morning). Drive to the starting trailhead, descend the canyon, then use the recovery vehicle at the exit to return to the start and pick up the remaining vehicle.
Option 2 Arrange support from someone not joining the canyon. They can either drop your group off at the start or pick you up at the exit, minimizing the number of vehicles you need to leave behind and eliminating the need for a post-canyon recovery.
Approach
Descent
Exit
Red tape
This section lists general information and requirements for canyoneering in Capitol Reef National Park.
Permits
A permit is required for any and all canyoneering within the boundaries of Capitol Reef National Park. Permits have a group-size limit that varies depending on the canyon or route and a separate permit is required for each canyoneering route. Currently, there is no quota limitation nor a permit cost, though that is likely to change at some point in the future. Canyoneering Permits can be obtained onsite through a self-serve kiosk located just outside of the visitor center or by sending and email to [email protected] (see format below). If you plan to camp overnight as part of a canyoneering trip, you are required to obtain a free backcountry permit, available from the rangers at the visitor center only.
Subject: Name of canyoneering route and date you will be canyoneering.
Email Body: Date of visit (single day only): Canyoneering route (single route only): Number of people: Vehicle location: Number of motorized vehicles: Vehicle description(s):
Additional Access Information:
- CRNP canyoneering permit information webpage: https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm
- Other: http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/
Group-Size Limit:
For the protection of park resources, canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of 8 people per group in all technical canyons, with some exceptions for certain routes in the Fruita area which are listed below and allow 12 people per group. A canyoneering group shall not exceed the determined number of people (as mentioned) sharing the same affiliation (school, church, club, scout group, family, friends, etc., or combination thereof) in the same canyon, drainage, general area or the same route on the same day. Groups larger than 8 or 12 sharing the same affiliation may divide into groups smaller than 8 or 12, provided they do not occupy the same canyon, drainage, general area or the same route on the same day.
Canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of 12 people for the following:
- Cassidy Arch Canyon
- Wives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
- Old School
- Beaver Bay
- Na-Gah
- Arch Nemesis
Park Entrance Fee:
Any person recreating anywhere within the boundaries of Capitol Reef National Park is required to pay the current recreation fee designated for their individual or group type. Passes can be attained at the visitor center or online. Standard passes are good for seven consecutive days. Information on rates and online purchasing of passes available at https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Seasonal Closure
The following canyons and routes close seasonally each year, effective April 1 through August 31, for the protection of sensitive natural resources
- The heads of Burro Wash and Fivemile Wash continuing east two miles (top-down routes).
- Shinob Canyon and any route descending into Shinob including, Na-gah, Nighthawk, and Timpie.
Beta sites
RoadTripRyan.com : Cottonwood Wash- Climb-Utah.com : Cottonwood Wash
- Super Amazing Map : Cottonwood Wash
- AmericanSouthwest.net : Cottonwood Wash
Trip reports and media
- Candition.com : Cottonwood Wash