Main Woody + Pothole Fork Combo
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| | Difficulty:4B IV (v4a2 IV) Raps:4+, max ↨50ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 1 mi, 1 min Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Navajo Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 11 Apr 2025
"Big group party through woody and the pothole fork on a hot day. Played around with lots of anchoring solutions, had fun. Canyon was drier than expect |
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| Best season: | Mar-Oct
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37.8548, -110.5481
37.8503, -110.5794
37.8637, -110.5789
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Introduction
This route combines both the Main Fork of Woody Canyon and the Pothole fork. In recent years, many formerly challenging potholes in the Main Fork have been filled in. Some groups have walked through the main fork without even having to break out the potshots. Combining both routes provides enough potholes to fill out the day for more experienced groups, and gives you the chance to break out the potshots and SandTrap. This route involes a unprotected, 20-foot, butt to feet upclimb in order to exit the main fork and approach the pothole fork.
Approach
Park near the Mount Hillers Road Sign on the highway pull-off. Approach overland, following the GPS tracks to the top of the Woody drainage. From the top of the drainage, there are a handful of drops that can be rappelled or bypassed before reaching the first slot section.
Descent
There are three slot sections in the upper section of the Main Fork before reaching the traditional start of the main fork. The second section of slot has a large pothole at the end that can be either directly escaped, or bypassed by a wall run on the left side or by ledge walking on the right side looking down canyon.
After wash walking at the end of the 3rd set of narrows, the canyon turns left and the meat of the Main Fork Begins. In years past, this first section up to the first rappel had some keeper potholes the could require potshots. In recent years, the potholes in the section have been mostly filled in with sand, requiring only a partner assist. This could change, so come prepared. After reaching the first rappel (which has been downclimbed), use a hook, pack drag, SandTrap, or water anchor to descend 20 ft.
The double pothole problem comes directly after the rappel. You can high-stem over both of the potholes if you have the height. There's also an underwater arch between both potholes that can be swam through if the water is high.
The Main fork opens up a little after the double potholes and the final pothole of the main fork is enountered. It can be a very difficult to escape when it is swimming depth due to an overhanging lip on the opposite end. In recent years it has often been the one of the only locations in the Main Fork where swimming or deep wading is required. If you don't want to solve this pothole or want to stay dry, you can bypass it by climbing up the LDC wall. The bybass climb can be made a lot easier by having a partner assist from below. From the ledge above you can walk around the pothole and slide down back into the canyon about 100 feet away.
After the final pothole of the main fork, walk a short distance down canyon until you see a 20ft tall chimney leading up to a side drainage on the right side looking down canyon. If the canyon narrows up again, you have gone too far. The climb up the chimney is about 5.5 in difficulty and can be done entirely in the butt-to-feet stemming position. Once one person is up, there are positions for them to anchor a handline or belay the rest of the group up. Once you are out of the Chimney, follow the track to the head of the Pothole Fork.
Continue down the pothole fork, escaping many semi-keeper potholes and navigating short drops. When you near the Main Fork there are a few drops in the 15-20ft range. Packdrags usually work good for these drops. The crux keeper pothole is encountered near where the pothole fork enters the main fork. Potshots or partner assists work well on this pothole depending on water levels. There is a small pothole immediately after the crux pothole, and it serves as the anchor spot for the final rappel. If this pothole has water in it, you are likely going to be forced to anchor your SandTrap upcanyon from the crux keeper. Alternatively you could use a water anchor or a pack drag in the pothole.
After entering the Main Fork again, you can either head up canyon to see the short section of the Main Fork that you missed, or continue down canyon to the final Downclimb.
Exit
Exit up woodruff canyon all the way back to the highway and your vehicle if you left a shuttle there.
Red tape
Beta sites
https://www.bluugnome.com/cyn_route/trachyte/trachyte_woody/trachyte_woody.aspx
