Kodels Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B II (v3a2 II) Raps:2-5, max ↨160ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:Required 15 minutes Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone and Granite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 23 Dec 2024
"The log on the short rappel at the end of the narrows section is no longer present. At that short rappel, there is a webbing anchor on a chockstone th |
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| Best season: | Mar-May, Sept-Nov
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39.1026, -108.7476
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Introduction
A short but fun canyon in Colorado National Monument. A quick and easy approach, a downclimb into the head of the canyon followed by a 50 foot rappel, short stemming section over water-filled potholes that ends with a handline for everyone and partner capture for last person down, a stunning 160 foot rappel into water, followed by two 50-60 foot optional rappels that can be climbed around, finishing with a downclimb/scramble section through a layer of beautiful polished granite. One of the best in the Monument.
- Exit vehicle parking: 39.12846, -108.73639
- Trailhead: 39.10097, -108.73495
- Leave trail: 39.10132, -108.74470
- Drop in: 39.10286, -108.74742
- End of technical section: 39.11135, -108.74692
- Exit right over knoll: 39.12711, -108.74317
Approach
Park shuttle vehicle near a recognizable transformer at the waypoint above. Drive up Rimrock Drive 4 miles to Colorado National Monument Visitor Center and park. The hike begins across the street from the Visitor Center. Head up the Alcove Nature Trail / Black Ridge Trail which has a prominent sign for about 20 minutes. Go right at the 3-way trail intersection with a sign for Fruita Dugway to the right. After 200 feet, head off trail to the left, over a knoll, and then down to the head of the canyon.
Descent
- R1: 50ft, tree, canyon left, retrievable anchor
- Slot: short stemming section over potholes, perfect geometry for first-timers learning to stem
- R2: 25ft, rock pinch or human anchor, this is at the end of the slot section. Intermediate/advanced canyoneers will downclimb, others may want to rappel or have a hand line. A spicey downclimb at the last 8 feet, the last person could be partner-captured. Landing zone may be filled with water and slippery boulders and would be dangerous to jump into. As of August 2024, there is a log propped up to aid this downclimb.
- R3: 160ft, retrievable, partial free-hang, into knee to chest deep water, possible swimmer in early season but no water in late season just mud
- R4: 40ft, tree, canyon left, optional downclimb on right
- R5: 50ft, tree, mid-watercourse, retrievable, optional downclimb on left
- Granite Downclimbs: for about 1000 feet until a fence xing
Exit
Once you emerge from the granite layer take a trail branch right up over a knoll. On top of the knoll your exit vehicle should be visible. Skirt stakes marking an old fence on the left and follow it to your vehicle.
Red tape
A National Park's pass or a Colorado National Monument entrance fee is required for parking.
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
April 2019 - the pool is absent as the dirt and rocks holding this pocket of water seem to have blown out on one side.
June 2022 - Beth Santoro and I performed what is probably a rare "down and up" journey through the technical part of the canyon, hard-rigging each drop as we went. This was due to a lack of shuttle out the bottom of the valley floor, plus I just like climbing rope. We found webbing at R1, R2, and R4, but nothing on the long R3 drop. A recent rain had filled up most of the pools including a thigh-deep mud wallow at the base of R3. The highly useful log is still present on the drop just past the narrows. --Andy Zellner
